ANALYSIS AND MITIGATION OF SUB-SYNCHRONOUS

RESONANCE OSCILLATIONS IN POWER SYSTEMS

D.Sree Chandana Bhargavi,

Department of Electrical Engineering,
A.U.College of Engineering (A),Visakhapatnam.

ABSTRACT: Series capacitive compensation is the most economical way to enhance

transmission capacity and to improve transient stability of transmission grids. How ever
their presence in the system may lead to the sub synchronous resonance (SSR)
phenomenon in the generating plants that are directly connected to the series capacitor
compensated transmission line. Investigation of sub synchronous resonance problems has
resulted in proposed and applied methods to mitigate or eliminate SSR damage to turbine
– generator sets. In this paper SSR phenomenon is studied and the analysis of SSR is
carried out and also describes the devices used, their theory of operation, strengths and
weaknesses for mitigating SSR problems.
KEYWORDS: Series compensated transmission line, Subsynchronous resonance (SSR) ,
Filtering and Damping , Generator protection

1. INTRODUCTION Damping of SSR currents, Relaying and

Protective Devices, System switching and
Generator tripping , Generator and System
The analysis of sub synchronous resonance modifications. The source of most SSR
is a complex technical problem observed in problems is the presence of series
series capacitor compensated power capacitors in the transmission system.
transmission and distribution systems. Therefore control of series capacitors may
When such an analysis is done , it reveals be used to mitigate the adverse SSR effects.
either an unstable system or an acceptable
risk of equipment damage during system
disturbances. Measures to resolve such
problems must be implemented. These 2. ANALYSIS OF SUB
measures include modifications to the SYNCHRONOUS RESONANCE
transmission system or restricted system
Sub synchronous resonance is an electric
operation or addition of equipments
power system condition where the electric
designed to meet the problems. Economic
network exchanges energy with a turbine -
analysis of all alternatives for either
generator at one or more of the natural
avoiding or solving the SSR problem is an
frequencies of the combined system below
important study procedure. During the past
the synchronous frequency of the system.
few years much effort has been expended
Sub synchronous resonance causes
in studying SSR problems. This paper
oscillations in the electric and mechanical
presents many of the solutions both tested
parts of the turbine – generator system
and untested for correcting SSR problem.
when coupled to a series capacitor
The discussion is divided into the following
compensated transmission system. The
sections – Analysis of Sub Synchronous
oscillatory energy exchange between the
Resonance, Torsional Interaction and
electric system and the turbine generator
Induction Generator Effect, Filtering and
system is lightly damped, undamped or
even negatively damped. The terms sub
synchronous and super synchronous are
used to denote frequencies below and
above the synchronous frequency of the
rotor. The electrical system for a simple
radial system has a resonant frequency 𝑓𝑒𝑟
given by
𝑋
𝑓𝑒𝑟 = 𝑓𝑜 √𝑋 " +𝑋 𝑐 +𝑋 (1)
𝑇 𝑒
Where 𝑋 " is the subtransient reactance of
the generator , 𝑋𝑇 is the leakage reactance
of the transformer. Since in general 𝑋𝑐 <
𝑋𝑒 , 𝑓𝑒𝑟 is less than the synchronous
frequency 𝑓𝑜
Generally the series compensated
transmission system is more complex and
will result in many subsynchronous
frequencies. A series capacitor placed in
the transmission line cancels a portion of
inductive reactance of the system and will
always result in a frequency which is less
than the line frequency and this will be
referred to as a sub harmonic. An
oscillation at the sub harmonic frequency
will tend to be damped by the line and
transformer resistance. However any
rotating machinery on the system will feed
energy into the sub harmonic currents.
A balanced three phase set of armature
currents of frequency 𝑓𝑒𝑟 produce a rotating
magnetic field in the air gap which rotates
with same frequency in a direction
determined by the sequence currents. The
subharmonic currents in any machine may
be visualized as positive and negative
sequence components at a frequency 𝑓𝑜 .
Positive sequence currents produce a field
which rotates in the same direction as the
rotor and the effect of rotation of the
machine is to act like an induction
generator feeding energy into the positive
sequence sub harmonic.
𝑓𝑟 = 𝑓𝑒𝑟 − 𝑓𝑜 (2)
The negative sequence currents cause a
field which rotates in the opposite direction
and hence act like a brake on the rotor,
absorbing energy and helping to damp. It
usually disappears rapidly after a transient.
𝑓𝑟 = 𝑓𝑒𝑟 + 𝑓𝑜 (3)
The induced rotor currents affect the rotor
magnetic field and also result in sub
synchronous frequency torques on the rotor
caused by interaction with steady magnetic
field of the rotor. The variations in the rotor
magnetic field result in changes in the
generator emf even if the rotational speed
remains constant. The emf generated in the
stator has frequencies given by
𝑓𝑠 = 𝑓𝑟 ± 𝑓𝑜 (4)
3. INDUCTION GENERATOR
EFFECT & TORSIONAL
INTERACTION
3.1 Induction Generator Effect :
The induction generator effect is caused by
the self excitation of an electrical system .
When certain load dynamics are created in
the system, sub harmonic currents are
generated due to resonant circuit, these
currents will set up a rotating flux , but at
angular rotation of 2𝜋f electrical radians
per second where 𝑓𝑒 is the sub synchronous
frequency set up due to the resonance . The
rotor is rotating at a speed of 2𝜋f electrical
radian per second faster than the sub
synchronous field. Since 𝑓𝑒 < 𝑓 the slip is
negative and the machine is capable of
converting mechanical energy to electrical
energy at sub synchronous frequency. The
resistance of damper windings referred to
the stator is 𝑅2 /𝑠 and this quantity being
negative contributes to negative damping.
If the frequency of these currents and
voltages correspond to the natural torsional
modes of turbine generator , the shaft will
oscillate at a high torque . This effect is
known as Induction Generator Effect.
3.2 Torsional Interaction
Whenever certain load dynamics appear in
a system , transient currents flow in the
stator winding of synchronous machine due
to resonant circuit ; these transient currents
will be of sub synchronous frequency. The
sub synchronous frequency currents
interact with the generator rotor and induce
sub synchronous torque on the rotor due to
which generator rotor oscillations will build
up. These oscillations will induce voltage
of subsynchronous frequency which
sustains the sub synchronous torque . If the
magnitude of this torque exceeds the
inherent mechanical damping of the system
, the system will become self excited. Such
interplay between the electrical and
mechanical system is termed as torsional
interaction.
4. FILTERING AND DAMPING
4.1 Static blocking filter
The Static blocking filter is inserted in
series with the generator step up
transformer winding, on the neutral end of
the transformer high voltage winding. The
SBF is made up of separate LC filters (
tank circuits ) connected in series. Each
section of the filter is a high Q , parallel
resonant circuit tuned to block electric
currents at frequencies corresponding to
the torsional mode. In addition the filter
impedance and transmission impedance
introduces parallel resonance at rotor
frequency. This causes the system
resonance to shift, such that the machine is
isolated from the power system at critical
sub synchronous frequencies. The SBF
filter is tuned to protect a single individual
generating unit. It provides significant
control of torsional interaction and transient
torque effects.
4.2 Line filter
It is an appropriately sized reactor
connected in parallel with an existing series
capacitor . This filter causes the flow of sub
synchronous currents to be blocked. The
filter offers higher net capacitive reactance
and hence allows only lesser current to
flow. The line filter is applicable to systems
where there is only a single generator is
involved. It is ineffective when new lines
are added to the system.
4.3 Bypass Damping Filter
It is connected in parallel across the series
capacitor. It acts like a bypass path for the
flow of sub synchronous frequency current
in the network. The filter is designed with a
damping resistor in series with a parallel
combination of a reactor and capacitor.
This net circuit has a very high impedance
at system frequency. Hence no large power
losses occur in the damping resistor. At
other frequencies the parallel combination
has a reduced impedance and becomes an
effective counter measure to sub
synchronous currents. This bypass damping
filter can be successfully installed in a no.
of distribution circuits and potentially solve
the torsional and induction generator
instability problems.
4.4 Dynamic filter
It is a powerful device placed in series with
the generator to null the sub synchronous
voltage generated by rotor oscillations and
hence prevent self excitation. Rotor
oscillations give rise to sub synchronous
and super synchronous armature voltages.
The super synchronous voltage will
produce armature current which tend to
damp the oscillations. The sub synchronous
voltage will produce armature currents
which tend to enhance the oscillations.
The dynamic filter with the help of suitable
control circuitary produces a voltage in
phase opposition to the sub synchronous
voltage generated in the armature by rotor
motion and hence provides more net
damping. The filter is not affected by the
system operating condition and is immune
to the system changes and the number of
series capacitors in service. The filter is
expensive and is designed to provide
damping for large oscillations associated
with transient disturbances.
4.5 Dynamic Stabilizer
The dynamic stabilizer is made up of
thyristor modulated shunt reactors. By
suitable firing of the thyristors , control of
sub synchronous oscillations can be
achieved in response to the measured
disturbance of the turbine –generator unit.
Suitable design of the stabilizer causes the
cancellation of the generator armature
currents occurring at sub synchronous
frequencies. An initial oscillation caused
due to a transient fault condition is
considered as the starting point for design
calculation. The dynamic stabilizer does
not provide protection against induction
generator effect or transient torque
problems but is useful in providing
damping where rotor oscillations are
present.
4.5 Excitation System damper
In this the output of the excitation system is
modulated by taking a reference signal
derived from rotor oscillations. The
excitation system dampers provide
effective damping of rotor oscillation and
compensate for the filter performance in
case of deterioration caused due to filter
detuning. The signals at different torsional
frequencies are separated using band pass
filters. The individual signals are phase
shifted and amplified independently and
fed into the automatic voltage regulator
system. The self excitation caused by
torsional interaction is effectively reduced
with help of excitation system damper.
5. GENERATOR PROTECTION AND
TRIPPING
5.1 Torsional motion relay
This relay operates to disconnect the
machine from the transmission system in
the presence of excessive mechanical
stresses in the turbine generator shaft
system. Rotor speed is taken as input to the
relay. This relay is mainly operated for
protection from torsional interaction and
generally is too slow to provide protection
for SSR transients. The relay does not
provide reliable
This device is used for continuous
monitoring of the turbine – generator
system. The severity of the shaft torsional
oscillations resulting from electrical
disturbances in the transmission network is
assessed. This device senses rotor speed
variations and converts the data by means
of analog circuits into oscillating torques on
each shaft. It has the ability to reduce the
transient electrical disturbance. This device
also allows the units which have tripped off
line because of an SSR relay operation to
be returned to service much more rapidly.
5.2 System switching
When a system is prone to SSR damage
,protection can be provided by isolating the
generator from the series capacitor.
Isolation can be achieved by switching the
protected machine onto an uncompensated
system. System switching is most effective
for control of SSR problems. It is relatively
inexpensive and easy to implement.
However there are certain limitations
associated with system switching. The
system switching disturbs normal system
operations and usually results in less
reliable system configuration following the
switching action. Reliability is less because
problem detection is difficult. Unusual
switching operations arise when
transmission line openings by circuit
breaker are not directly connected to the
line to be opened. Care is to be taken while
restoring the system to normal operation
following a switching action.
5.3 Unit tripping
This scheme can be applied to provide SSR
transient torque protection for
predetermined system conditions and fault
locations. This requires that all system
conditions and fault locations that produce
excessive shaft torque to be predetermined
from studies. The knowledge of system
sensing and logic circuitary is required to
initiate unit tripping fast enough at
accecptable levels.
A finite time from fault inception is
required for shaft torque to grow from a
steady state level to fault level . Therefore
tripping of the unit within this time is an
acceptable solution.
5.4 Turbine generator modifications
A turbine generator has several sub
synchronous torsional natural frequencies.
These frequencies are governed by the
stiffness of the machine shaft and the
inertias of the main rotors . If it were
possible to design machines for which the
lowest torsional natural frequency was
greater than the synchronous frequency of
the system, the SSR problem would be
eliminated. However it offers only a little
solution to the SSR problem as future
growth of the network or line outages may
bring the machine back to resonance.
5.5 Generator circuit series reactance
Inserting series reactance between a
generator and the transmission system can
provide SSR protection by detuning the
resonant network seen by the generators.
Studies have shown that generator step up
transformer reactance will alleviate some
SSR problems. Advantage of series
reactance are it is very reliable equipment
with minimal maintenance expense.
Addition of series reactance has most
practical application when only one
generator is there. However there are some
disadvantages with the use of series
reactance . The system stability margin is
reduced. Large series reactors consume
reactive power which usually must be
replaced by the generator or another source.
Large series reactors are not commonly
available. Installing reactance in series with
the generator circuit is relatively expensive
but may be less costly than other
alternatives.
 6. CONCLUSION

Literature survey done by various

reseachers is reviewed and it has been
concluded that FACTS devices are very
effective in the SSR damping. The analysis
of SSR is divided into 2 main groups a)
induction generator effect b) torsional
interaction. It is necessary to avoid these
effects in a series compensated
transmission line. In this paper some SSR
solutions for the damping of sub
synchronous resonance torques in an
electro mechanical system are presented.
However better study techniques can be
developed to provide safe operation of
generators under SSR conditions.

REFERENCES
[1] IEEE Committee Report ,
“Countermearures to Subsynchronous
Resonance problems”, IEEE Trans
Vol PAS-99 , No.5 ,1980.
.
[2] Kirtan J Desai, Bhargav V Patel,
Chintan R Patel, “Simulation and
Analysis of Sub Synchronous
Resonance in a Series Compensated
Transmission System”, Journal of
Power Electronics & Power Systems,
ISSN : 2321- 4244 , Vol 5, Issue- 3.
[3] Saira B.Sheikh , U.Venkata Reddy ,
“Damping of Sub synchronous
Oscillations Using FACTS
Devices(TCSC , SSSC & UPFC): A
Review .” International Journal of
Electrical , Electronics and Data
Communication , ISSN :2320-2084,
Special Issue, June – 2015.