Power System Stability and Quality Improvement using FACTS Devices

The advent of the 21st century brought about great and enormous quantum of electrical energy needs of the world where the nation’s lively hood is now greatly hinged on the use and application of electrical energy. Recent research shows that the demand of electric power has grown significantly where as power generation and transmission is not expanded due to certain limitations and as a result the transmission lines are being over loaded and losses are inevitable which result to instability of the power system network. Interestingly however, the above limitations are being overcome through the application of flexible alternating current transmission system (FACTS) devices for quality improvement of power transmission systems. The use of FACTS controllers allows the possible control of dynamic control of transmission line variables which include the phase angle, the voltage and the impedance. Similarities between conventional methods and FACTS controller for enhancing power system quality has been considered. The publication focuses on utilizing FACTS devices for the benefits of enhancing electrical power transmission system operation. Classifications of FACTS devices as well as the evolving generation of FACTS controllers have been reviewed.