Analysis of using FACTS controllers with superconducting magnetic energy storage in the primary frequency control of power systems

The operation security of the power system (PS) in case of contingencies is ensured by maintaining adequate "short-term generation reserve". This reserve must be appropriately activated by means of the primary frequency control (PFC), aiming at preserving the system frequency within acceptable limits during the transient. An alternative to effectively enhance the PFC and therefore the security is to use superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) in combination with flexible ac transmission systems (FACTS) in such a way that active power can be injected, at a fast response, to the electric network. This paper studies the dynamic performance of a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) integrated with SMES for improving the PFC. A model approach of the STATCOM/SMES system and a multilevel control scheme of the coordinated system are presented. Finally, technical analysis is performed to obtain conclusions about the benefits of using SMES devices in the PFC of the electric system.