An Operational Practice for Voltage Control & Reactive Power Management in National Grid

The smooth flow of apparent power in power networks requires adequate reactive power support. Generators are the main supporting units to meet the reactive power of the national grid. Transportation of reactive power support from generating units to load centres results in artificial loading of transmission infrastructure, contributing to voltage instability, increased losses, and inefficient network operation. Adequate management of reactive power in grid is reflected in terms of low voltage profile& stresses on generating units to supply their dynamic reactive. In this research work, an algorithm for reactive power management for voltage control in the national grid has been presented to optimise and localise the flow of reactive power. The presented algorithm, looks to meet the reactive power requirement at distribution network by recommending the additional compensating devices at distribution side, tuning of reactor at transmission side and utilizing the dynamic reactive power support at generating units. The additional reactive power support needs for load requirement is identified at most reactive power sensitive load buses. The reactive power compensating devices are suggested for voltage control to downstream buses in distribution network. This work is studied for the Northern region of the Indian grid and simulation is performed using the PSSE simulation software. The presented algorithm for reactive power management will be an operational practise for the utility to plan and manage their reactive support for voltage control within Indian Electricity Grid Code criteria.