Improvement of power factor in smart grid

connected with EV charger and optimal sizing of

SVC capacitor using SMC
Saeid Gholami Farkoush, Chang-Hwan Kim, Abdul Wadood, Tahir Khurshaid, Kumail Hassan Kharal, Sang-
Bong Rhee

High reactive power increased the size and cost of equipment,

Abstract - Electric vehicles (EVs) have a main role in reducing also reduced the efficiency of the power system [2]. In
the emission of greenhouse gases in the world. In addition, EVs distributed systems, the voltage at the load reduces due to
will have greater share in future transportation systems, which lack of reactive power [3].
will cause an additional load on the electric grid. The Slide Mode In addition reactive load will be lower the maximum real
Controller (SMC) topology is used for the improvement of the power capacity of generator, losses and excessive voltage
power factor in distribution system, for example, home
appliance charger and EVs charger station. Power factor is sags. In such cases, local VAR support suggested using shunt
diminished in distributed system by connecting EVs to the capacitors; that called reactive power compensation. More
system. For solving this problem, Static Var Compensator (SVC) common compensation methods added to capacitor banks of
is employed to the smart grid. For reducing the size of SVC and the system [3]-[4].
making the power factor more stabilized in smart grid, SMC is Shunt compensation is widely used to improve power
suggested. This paper presents size of SVC capacitor factor and voltage stability.
investigated with and without using SMC through computer
simulations of a 22.9-kv grid. Shunt compensation are almost same with series
compensation, with the difference that, they inject current to
power system at the point where they are connected. Static
Keywords: Electric vehicles, Smart grid Static Var Compensator, Synchronous Generator (SSG) and Static Var Compensator
Slide Mode Controller, Capacitor.
(SVC) can cited for shunt compensation.
The SVC is an important component of a flexible AC
I. INTROUDUCTION transmission system. It provides an effective approach to
correct and increase the power factor, enhance voltage

R ecently, Electric vehicles (EVs) play a vital role in stability, and increase the power transfer capability when an
reducing the greenhouse gases coming from the unbalanced load happens in the power system for example,
transportation. The increasing utilization of EVs caused when an EV connected to the grid for charging.
additional loads and power quality problems such as The SVC has fast dynamic characteristics that can support
unbalancing, fluctuation and reducing of power factor on the the effective system voltage following disturbances. Keeping
power grid. Impacts of a large fleet of EVs are so serious on a reactive power reserve in an SVC during steady-state
the distribution system and the peak load of charging is major operation always needed to satisfy the reactive power
problem in the power system [1]. For charging EVs, majority requirements during system dynamics [5]. In the SVC
of them will utilize home charger when the owners arrive at topologies, there are two types of capacitors for power factor
home afternoon. Simultaneous EV charging could overload correction: fixed and automatic. Automatic capacitors are also
the grid. In the power system, all power equipment and known as switched capacitors. They vary the amount of
industrial inductive loads draw reactive power. Increasing the correction (KVAR) supplied to an electrical system, while
amount of reactive power have enormous impact on the fixed capacitors supply a constant KVAR.
power systems such as generating units, lines, circuit breakers, In this area, one concept that has been proposed to control
transformers, relays and isolators.  SVCs is a delta-connected TCR-FC using a PID controller for
power factor correction. However, a PID controller is
complicated in comparison to a PI controller in a power
Saeid Gholami Farkoush, Chang-Hwan Kim, Abdul Wadood, Tahir
Khurshaid, Kumail Hassan Kharal Sang-Bong Rhee are with Department of system. Also, in an SVC [TCR-FC] system, a capacitor is
Electrical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38549, Republic constant in the system, and controlling the capacitor value is
of Korea (e-mails: [email protected], [email protected], impossible, so it is not a good idea for achieving the best
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], e-mail of
corresponding author: [email protected]). power factor correction [6]. Using an automatic capacitor to
achieve the best power factor in the grid is recommended
Paper submitted to the International Conference on Power Systems because it is very flexible for any loads that change in the grid.
Transients (IPST2017) in Seoul, Republic of Korea June 26-29, 2017
 The basis for the algorithm that is used in this paper to
calculate the compensation susceptances associated with each
phase of a delta connected three-phase SVC for power factor Gen Xe
correction [7]. A fuzzy logic SVC for power factor correction
was presented by Mokhtariet al. [8]. This method is one of the
best and most successful techniques among expert control
strategies. It is an important tool to control nonlinear,
complex, vague, and ill-defined systems, but it is slower than
when a PI controller that is used for SVC.
Different approaches have been proposed to diminish the TCR TSC
voltage distortion in loads when EVs are connected with a
PCC. A selected harmonic compensation method that uses the
discrete Fourier transforms (DFT) and Asymmetric
Synchronous Reference Frame Controller (ASRFC) has been Fig. 1. Configuration of SVC
proposed [9]. However, the DFT method requires too much
computation and it is not feasible. In addition, using the
SRFC requires knowledge of the leading angle, which A. SVC (V-I) Characteristics
compensates for the system delay. The SVC can be operated in two different modes: voltage
It is well known that physical systems are nonlinear in regulation mode (where the voltage is regulated within limits
nature. Nonlinear control design methods such as feedback as explained below) and VAR control mode (where the SVC
linearization and sliding mode controllers (SMCs) have been susceptance is kept constant). When the SVC is operated in
proven as sound and successful methods in control problems voltage regulation mode, it implements the following V-I
[10–12]. Transmission lines with SVCs have nonlinear characteristics. SVC steady-state control characteristics in its
characteristics. Such systems are controlled using nonlinear simple form are shown in Fig. 2. As long as the SVC
control techniques such as SMCs [13]. SMCs can control susceptance B stays within the maximum and minimum
system uncertainties and external disturbances with good susceptance values imposed by the total reactive power of
performance [14–16]. The dynamic behavior of the system capacitor banks (Bcmax) and reactor banks (Blmax), the
and the closed-loop response are two main advantages of the voltage is regulated at the reference voltage Vref. However, a
SMC method [17-19]. It has been successfully applied to voltage drop is normally used (usually between 1% and 4% of
underwater vehicles [20], automotive transmissions, engines, the maximum reactive power output), and the V-I
power systems [10], induction motors [17], robots [16, 18], characteristic curve has the slope indicated in Fig. 2. [9].
electric drives [12, 21], the human neuromuscular process
[22], and elevator velocity [23]. SMC has also been applied to
DC motors in simulations [12, 24, 25].
In this study, an SMC was designed for an SVC connected to V Blmax
the grid to improve the power factor. The effects of adding Vref
Slope Xs
the SMC to the system were investigated. The proposed
scheme was validated through computer simulations of a
22.9-kV grid.

II. STATIC VAR COMPENSATOR (SVC) Bcmax

Static VAR systems are applied by utilities in transmission

Capacitive Inductive I
applications for several purposes. The primary purpose is
Reactive current
usually the rapid control of voltage at weak points in a
network. Installations may be at the midpoint of transmission
interconnections or at the line ends for compensation of Fig. 2. SVC steady-state control characteristics.
irregular load, voltage, and source power factors in the power The V-I characteristic is described by the following
system. SVCs are shunt connected static generators/absorbers
three equations:
whose outputs are varied to control the voltage and power
factor of the electric power systems. In its simple form, an
V  Vref  Xs  I SVC is regulation rang (Bc  B  Bl )
SVC is connected as a thyristor switch capacitor-thyristor max max (1)
controlled reactor (TSC-TCR) configuration, as shown in
Fig. 1. The SVC is connected to a coupling transformer that is
V
1 SVC is fully capacitive (B  Bc max )
connected directly to the AC bus whose voltage/power factor Bc max (2)
source is to be regulated.
V
1 SVC is fully inductive (B  Bl max )
Bl max (3)

where
V: Positive sequence voltage (p.u.)
I: Reactive current (p.u./Pbase) (I > 0 indicates an inductive
current)
Xs: Slope or droop reactance (p.u./Pbase)
Bcmax: Maximum capacitive susceptance (p.u./Pbase) with all
TSCs in service, no TSR or TCR
Blmax: Maximum inductive susceptance (p.u./Pbase) with all
TSRs in service or TCRs at full conduction, no TSC
Pbase: Three-phase base power specified in the block dialog
box

B. SVC Dynamic Response Fig. 3. IEEE 14-node test feeder

When the SVC is operating in voltage regulation mode, its

response speed for a change of system voltage depends on the IV. MODELLING OF STATIC VAR COMPENSATOR
voltage regulator gains (proportional gain Kp and integral gain IN POWER SYSTEM STUDIES
Ki), the droop reactance Xs, and the system strength (short-
circuit level). For an integral-type voltage regulator (Kp = 0), The SVC provides an excellent source of rapidly controllable
if the voltage measurement time constant Tm and the average reactive shunt compensation for dynamic voltage control
time delay Td due to valve firing are neglected, the closed- through its utilization of high-speed thyristor
loop system consisting of the SVC and the power system can switching/controlled reactive devices. In general, the concepts
be approximated by a first-order system with the following of TCRs and TSCs are used in SVCs. The TSC provides a
closed-loop time constant: “stepped” response, and the TCR provides a “smooth” or
1 continuously variable susceptance. Fig. 4. Illustrates a
Tc  (4) TCR/TSC including the operating process concept.
K i  (X s  X n )
where
Load Voltages
Tc: Closed loop time constant
Load
Ki: Proportional gain of the voltage regulator Secondary Voltages
Control System
Gen Xe
Xs: Slope reactance p.u./Pbase Static Var Compensator
Voltage Vn _ Ve Voltage
Measurement regulator
Xn: Equivalent power system reactance (p.u./Pbase) ITCR Q ITSC Q
+
Vref BSVC
Pulse n_TSCs
VLoad Vsecondary Synchronizing Unit Distribution
This equation demonstrates that the response is faster when Pulse Generator α Unit

the gain is increased or when the system short-circuit level L C

decreases (higher Xn values) [9]. TCR TSC

Fig. 4. Single-line diagram of SVC and control system

III. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM
This fundamental network used for this paper is IEEE 14-
The control objective of the SVC is to maintain the desired
node test feeder [26], as shown in Fig. 3. The network is
voltage in a high voltage bus. In steady state, the SVC will
downscaled from 22.9 kV to 230 V based on the Korea
provide some steady-state control of the voltage to impound it
standard so this grid topology shows residential fundamental
the highest condition at a pre-defined level. When the load is
network. Each node is connected to residential load and some
changed in the power system, the power factor is decreased.
nodes choose randomly for charging EVs.
For improvement of the power factor, the SVC will inject
Assume that an SVC comprising one TCR bank and three
reactive power into the system (within its control limits) to
TSC banks is connected to a 22.9-kV bus via a 333-MVA,
increase the power factor of the system [9].
22.9/16-kV transformer on the secondary side with X k = 15%.
When 1.5 times the load is connected between A-phase, like
The voltage drop of the regulator is 0.01pu/100VA
when EVs are plugged into the system, it causes an
(0.03Pu/300 VA). When the SVC operating point changes
unbalanced load.
from fully capacitive to fully inductive, the SVC voltage
varies between 1 - 0.03 = 0.97 pu and 1 + 0.01 = 1.01 pu.
 0.98
An appropriate sliding surface (which is also called a
0.96 switching function) must be defined in the state space in the
design of the SMC. This sliding surface has the following
0.94
Power Factor

form:
0.92 d ~
s(t )  (  ) ( n1) X (t ) (7)
0.9 dt
Where n is the order of the uncontrolled system and ʎ is a
0.88
positive real coefficient. Second, the control law to adjust the
0.86
0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1
system to the selected sliding surface must be designated.
Time(Sec) SMC in compared ASRFC and HVC Method is fast and
Fig. 5. Power factor of the system when EVs are plugged into the grid with more reliable. Also in ASRFC method for compensation
SVC harmonic in system after improvement power factor is needed
to utilize HVC. In SMC method don’t require to use any
Fig. 5. Illustrates the power factor of the system when EVs compensation method. In addition SMC is not complicated in
are plugged into the grid with an SVC. comparison ASRFC [9].
As can be seen in Figure 5, the average power factor of the Fig. 7. Shows a block diagram of the SMC with an SVC
system is 0.915 or 91.5%, and the upper and lower distortion connected to the grid.
in the power factor curve is 0.09 or 9%. The problem of
SMC(Slide Mode Controller)
distortion occurring in the power factor because of plugging λ s(t)
+
EVs into the system has not been solved [9]. For solving this VSecref
d/dt
+

problem Slide Mode Controller is suggested. VLoad

Load
Secondary Voltages
Control System
Gen Xe
V. SLIDE MODE CONTROLLER WITH SVC Static Var Compensator
Voltage Vn _ Ve Voltage
Measurement regulator
+
ITCR Q ITSC Q
Vref BSVC

SMC is a nonlinear control method that uses the state VLoad Vsecondary
Pulse
Synchronizing Unit n_TSCs Distribution
Pulse Generator α Unit
trajectory on a sliding surface to make the system output L C

converge to a desired output based on the desired dynamics

TCR TSC
[27, 28]. The control rules in the SMC have two stages, as
shown in Fig. 6.
Fig. 7. Block diagram of the SMC with SVC connected to the grid

After using the SMC in the SVC, the power factor of the
system is improved to 0.99. Fig. 8. illustrates Power factor of
the grid with SMC.

1.1

0 9.
Power Factor

0 8.
Fig. 6. Phase plane of SMC [29]
0 7.

As the sliding surface becomes stable (i.e., lim t 0 e(t )  0 ), 0 6.

the error asymptotically approaches zero as time goes to
infinity [30]. The dynamic equation for the nonlinear system 0 5.

is given below: 0.4

0.04 0.06
0.12 0.14 0.08 0.1 0.16 0.18 0.2
X (n)  f ( x)  b( x)u(t )  d (t ) (5)
Time (sec)
Fig. 8. Power factor of the grid with SMC
Where f(x) and b(x) denote the uncertain nonlinear
functions with known uncertainty, and d(t) is the disturbance Table 1 show the intervals of the power factor in the system
that enters the system. The error state vector with desired when EVs are connected to the grid for different conditions of
state vector Xd (t) is: the SVC and size of SVC capacitor with SMC.
~
X  X (t )  X d (t ) (6) As can see Table 1, Step-up SVC with conventional
method improve power factor to 91.5% and reduce Interval of
upper and lower of power factor to 9%. For getting unity
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