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S Boshoff Consulting TAP NamPower, ABB Power Systems, Sweden RTDS, Canada
South Africa South Africa Namibia Sweden Canada
INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND
The new 400 kV interconnection between Namibia The NamPower network consists of a radial network
and South Africa was successfully commissioned in with its main generation at Ruacana (hydro) in the
the last quarter of 2000. The 890 km single circuit north and interconnected to Eskom in the south. At
400 kV AC transmission line interconnects the two Auas substation, a SVC (80 MVAr capacitive to
systems, ESKOM and NamPower, at Aries substation 250 MVAr inductive) was installed as part of the new
near Kenhardt in South Africa and Auas substation interconnection with the primary function of
near Windhoek in Namibia. With the new controlling the system voltage and in particular the
interconnection, the NamPower system is extreme (up to 1.6 p.u.) overvoltages expected due to
strengthened but the new 400 kV line is also very long the near 50 Hz resonance[1]. The Auas SVC is
with a large charging capacitance which aggravates geographically located in the middle of the
the inherent problems in the NamPower system; NamPower network, near one of its major load
namely voltage stability and near 50 Hz resonance. centres.
The charging capacitance shifts the existing parallel
resonance very close to 50 Hz and makes the network The use of this SVC (330 MVAR dynamic range) is
more voltage sensitive during system transients such unique in that it is installed in a system with very long
as 400 kV line energisation or recovery after clearing lines, little local generation and low fault levels (from
of line faults. 1500 MVA to less than 300 MVA). Low frequency
system eigen-frequencies (resonances), well below the
second harmonic, is a result of that configuration.
Using the RTDS made it possible to investigate a For comparison between the simulation results in
large number of cases despite the compressed time EMTDC, RTDS and the results obtained from the
schedule. Extensive network simulations were done system performance test performed in October 2000,
to ensure that the controller is operating correctly. A the following cases have been selected:
large number of fault cases and system conditions
were tested, many of which can not be performed or 1. EMTDC and RTDS, energisation of the 400 kV
would not be permitted on the real NamPower system. system from north to south, low fault level. The
Various control irregularities were detected and simulations were performed without the
improved well before the commissioning tests began resonance controller.
which resulted in a fast, effective and successful 2. EMTDC and RTDS, line energisation from north
commissioning. to south, high fault level (Ruacana generators in
service) - without the resonance controller.
3. RTDS and Field, energisation of the 400 kV
FIELD TESTING system from north to south, (Ruacana generators
in service). The results are obtained with the new
resonance controller in operation.
The new 400 kV interconnection was commissioned
in October year 2000, only after the SVC had been
successfully commissioned and tested. The critical Results from EMTDC vs. RTDS
nature of overvoltages on the NamPower system made
it impossible to conduct system tests without the SVC.
At the end of the SVC commissioning phase, in In Figure 3 and Figure 4 the same line energisation is
addition to the normal commissioning tests, a number shown for a very low fault level case (no generation in
of stringent acceptance tests were carried out in order the NamPower system) and a higher fault level case
to prove the effectiveness of the Auas SVC. Of (Ruacana generators in service) respectively. The
particular importance was the resonance controller. RTDS model shows slightly less damping than the
The following system performance test were carried EMTDC model. This is due to the more reduced
out with the Auas SVC and the NamPower network that is used in the representation of the
transmission system: NamPower system on the RTDS.
1. Voltage step response test. An external It is important to note here the difference between the
100 MVAr 400 kV busbar reactor was switched at low and high fault level cases. For the low fault level
Auas substation in order to determine the step condition (weak system), the resonance is very close
response of the SVC. to 50 Hz which was difficult for the SVC to control
2. Reactive Power control. the voltage effectively. Under these conditions, the
3. Black start of the SVC. first voltage peak was not too critical (1.2 p.u.).
4. Maximum reactive power output. However, for conditions when the fault level was
5. Staged fault tests. Various phase to earth faults higher due to the Ruacana generators or Van Eck SC’s
were applied in different branches inside the SVC being in service, the first voltage peak was
such as the TCR, filter and auxiliary. significantly higher (1.6 p.u.).
6. Staged fault tests on the SVC control and
measurement system.
7. Simulated transmission line trips and re-closure.
8. Line energisation of the 400 kV line from Auas to
Kokerboom and vice versa.
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES