1. What is UPFC? Explain its principle of operation. Discuss control schemes for UPFC.

Unified Power Flow Control:

The UPFC was developed for the real-time control and dynamic compensation of ac
transmission systems, providing multifunctional flexibility required to solve many of the
problems facing the power delivery industry. Within the framework of traditional power
transmission concepts, the UPFC is able to control, simultaneously or selectively, all the
parameters affecting power flow in the transmission line (i.e., voltage, impedance, and phase
angle), and this unique capability is signified by the adjective "unified" in its name. Alternatively,
it can independently control both the real and reactive power flow in the line.

Basic operating principle of UPFC:

Fig 1: Conceptual representation of the UPFC in a two-machine power system.

Fig 2: Implementation of the UPFC by two back-to-back voltage-sourced converters.

 The UPFC consists of two voltage sourced converters, as illustrated in Figure 2.These
back-to-back converters, "Converter 1" and "Converter 2", are operated from a common dc link
provided by a dc storage capacitor.
The basic function of Converter-1 is to supply or absorb the real power demanded by
Converter 2 at the common de link to support the real power exchange resulting from the series
voltage injection. This dc link power demand of Converter 2 is converted back to ac by Converter
1 and coupled to the transmission line bus via a shunt connected transformer. In addition to the
real power need of Converter 2, Converter 1 can also generate or absorb controllable reactive
power, if it is desired, and thereby provide independent shunt reactive compensation for the line.
It is important to note that whereas there is a closed direct path for the real power negotiated by
the action of series voltage injection through Converters 1 and 2 back to the line, the
corresponding reactive power exchanged is supplied or absorbed locally by Converter2 and
therefore does not have to be transmitted by the line. Thus, Converter 1 can be operated at a unity
power factor or be controlled to have a reactive power exchange with the line independent of the
reactive power exchanged by Converter 2. Obviously, there can be no reactive power flow
through the UPFC dc link.

Conventional Transmission Control Capabilities:

Fig 3: Phasor diagrams illustrating the conventional transmission control capabilities of the UPFC.

The operation of the Unified Power Flow Controller from the standpoint of traditional
power transmission based on reactive shunt compensation, series compensation, and phase angle
regulation, the UPFC can fulfill all these functions and thereby meet multiple control objectives
by adding the injected voltage 𝑉𝑝𝑞 , with appropriate amplitude and phase angle, to the (sending-
end) terminal voltage 𝑉𝑠 . Using phasor representation, the basic UPFC power flow control
functions are illustrated in Figure 3.
Voltage regulation with continuously variable in-phase/anti-phase voltage injection, is
shown in Figure 3(a) for voltage increments 𝑉𝑝𝑞 = ±∆𝑉 (𝜌= 0). This is functionally similar to that
obtainable with a transformer tap changer having infinitely small steps.
Series reactive compensation is shown in Figure 3(b) where 𝑉𝑝𝑞 = 𝑉𝑞 is injected in
quadrature with the line current I. Functionally this is similar to series capacitive and inductive
line compensation attained by the SSSC the injected series compensating voltage can be kept
constant, if desired, independent of line current variation, or can be varied in proportion with the
line current to imitate the compensation obtained with a series capacitor or reactor.
Phase angle regulation (phase shift) is shown in Figure 3(c) where 𝑉𝑝𝑞 = 𝑉𝜎 is injected with
an angular relationship with respect to 𝑉𝑠 that achieves the desired 𝜎 phase shift (advance or
retard) without any change in magnitude. Thus the UPFC can function as a perfect Phase Angle
Regulator which can also supply the reactive power involved with the transmission angle control
by internal var generation.
Multifunction power flow control, executed by simultaneous terminal voltage regulation,
series capacitive line compensation, and phase shifting, is shown in Figure 3(d) where 𝑉𝑝𝑞 =
∆𝑉+𝑉𝑞 +𝑉𝜎 . This functional capability is unique to the UPFC. No single conventional equipment
has similar multifunctional capability.

Fig 4: Range of transmittable real power P and receiving-end reactive power demand Q vs.
Transmission angle 𝛿 of a UPFC controlled transmission line.
Basic UPFC control scheme:
The control of the UPFC is based upon the vector-control approach .The term vector,
instead of phasor, is used in this section to represent a set of three instantaneous phase variables,
voltages, or currents that sum to zero.
The UPFC control system may, in the previously established manner, be divided functionally
into internal (or converter) control and functional operation control. The internal controls operate
the two converters so as to produce the commanded series injected voltage and, simultaneously,
draw the desired shunt reactive current. The internal controls provide gating signals to the
converter valves so that the converter output voltages will properly respond to the internal
reference variables, 𝑖𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑓 , 𝑖𝑞𝑟𝑒𝑓 and 𝑣̃𝑝𝑞 , in accordance with the basic control structure shown in
Figure 5.

Fig 5: Basic UPFC control scheme.

The series converter responds directly and independently to the demand for series
voltage vector injection. Changes in series voltage vector 𝑣̃𝑝𝑞 can therefore be affected virtually
instantaneously. In contrast, the shunt converter operates under a closed-loop current control
structure whereby the shunt real and reactive power components are independently controlled.
The shunt reactive power (if this option is used, for example, for terminal voltage control)
responds directly to an input demand. However, the shunt real power is dictated by another
control loop that acts to maintain a preset voltage level on the dc link, thereby providing the real
power supply or sink needed for the support of the series voltage injection. In other words, the
control loop for the shunt real power ensures the required real power balance between the two
converters. As mentioned previously, the converters do not (and could not) exchange reactive
power through the link.
2. What is Interline Power Flow Controller? How is it different from Unified Power Flow
controller? Discuss its applications.
Interline Power Flow Controller:
The Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC) addresses the problem of compensating a
number of transmission lines at a given substation. Series capacitive compensation (fixed,
thyristor-controlled or SSSC-based) is employed to increase the transmittable real power over a
given line and also to balance the loading of a normally encountered multiline transmission
system. Series reactive compensators are unable to control the reactive power flow in, and thus
the proper load balancing of the lines. This problem becomes particularly evident in those cases
where the ratio of reactive to resistive line impedance (X/R) is relatively low. Series reactive
compensation reduces only the effective reactive impedance X and, thus, significantly decreases
the effective X/R ratio and thereby increases the reactive power flow and losses in the line. The
IPFC scheme, together with independently controllable reactive series compensation of each
individual line, provides a capability to directly transfer real power between the compensated
lines.
IPFC controls multiple lines whereas UPFC controls single line. Each converter in IPFC
provides independent series reactive compensation for its own transmission line unlike UPFC
which provides real and reactive series line compensation and independently controllable shunt
reactive compensation.
Applications:
 For damping low frequency oscillations in power systems.
 To increase transient stability of power system and analyzed using Fuzzy Technology.
 To increase power flow management in power systems.

3. What is IPFC? Explain the operating principle of it.

Interline Power Flow Controller:
The Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC) addresses the problem of compensating a
number of transmission lines at a given substation. Series capacitive compensation (fixed,
thyristor-controlled or SSSC-based) is employed to increase the transmittable real power over a
given line and also to balance the loading of a normally encountered multiline transmission
system. Series reactive compensators are unable to control the reactive power flow in, and thus
the proper load balancing of the lines. The IPFC scheme, together with independently controllable
reactive series compensation of each individual line, provides a capability to directly transfer real
power between the compensated lines.

Basic operating principle:

In its general form the Interline Power Flow Controller employs a number of dc-
to-ac converters each providing series compensation for a different line. In other words, the IPFC
comprises a number of Static Synchronous Series Compensators. However, within the general
concept of the IPFC, the compensating converters are linked together at their dc terminals, as
illustrated in Figure (a). With this scheme, in addition to providing series reactive compensation,
any converter can be controlled to supply real power to the common dc link from its own
transmission line. Thus, an overall surplus power can be made available from the under-utilized
lines which then can be used by other lines for real power compensation. In this way, some of the
converters, compensating overloaded lines or lines with a heavy burden of reactive power flow,
can be equipped with full two-dimensional, reactive and real power control capability.

Fig a: Interline Power Flow Controller comprising n converter

Fig b: Basic two-converter Interline Power Flow Controller scheme.

 Consider an elementary IPFC scheme consisting of two back-to-back dc-to-ac
converters, each compensating a transmission line by series voltage injection. This arrangement is
shown functionally in Figure (b), where two synchronous voltage sources, with phasors 𝑉1𝑝𝑞 and
𝑉2𝑝𝑞 in series with transmission Lines 1 and 2, represent the two back-to-back dc-to-ac converters.
The common dc link is represented by a bidirectional link for real power exchange between the
two voltage sources. Transmission Line 1, represented by reactance 𝑋1, has a sending-end bus
with voltage phasor 𝑉1𝑠 and a receiving-end bus with voltage phasor 𝑉1𝑟 . The sending-end voltage
phasor of Line 2, represented by reactance 𝑋2, is 𝑉2𝑠 and the receiving-end voltage phasor is
𝑉2𝑟. For clarity, all the sending-end and receiving-end voltages are assumed to be constant with
fixed amplitudes, 𝑉1𝑠 = 𝑉1𝑟 = 𝑉2𝑠 = 𝑉2𝑟 = 1.0 p.u., and with fixed angles resulting in identical
transmission angles, 𝛿1 = 𝛿2 (= 30°), for the two systems. The two line impedances, and the rating
of the two compensating voltage sources, are also assumed to be identical, i.e., 𝑉1𝑝𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝑉2𝑝𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 and 𝑋1 = 𝑋2 = 0.5 p.u., respectively. Although Systems 1 and 2 could different (i.e.,
different transmission line voltage, impedance, and angle), in order to make the relationships
governing the operation of the IPFC perspicuous, the above stipulated identity of the two systems
is maintained throughout this section. Note that the two lines are assumed to be independent and
not in any phase relationship with each other.
In order to establish the transmission relationships between the two systems, System 1
is arbitrarily selected to be the prime system for which free controllability of both real and
reactive line power flow is specified. The reason for this stipulation is to derive the constraints
which the free controllability of System 1 imposes upon the power flow control of System 2.
A phasor diagram of System 1, defining the relationship between 𝑉1𝑠 , 𝑉1𝑟 , 𝑉1𝑋 (the
voltage phasor across 𝑋1) and the inserted voltage phasor 𝑉1𝑝𝑞 , with controllable magnitude (0 ≤
𝑉1𝑝𝑞 ≤ 𝑉1𝑝𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 ) and angle (0 ≤ 𝜌1𝑝𝑞 ≤ 360°) is shown in Figure c.

Fig c: IPFC "prime" converter and corresponding phasor diagram.

 For example, the rotation of phasor 𝑉1𝑝𝑞 with angle 𝜌1𝑝𝑞 varies both the magnitude and
angle of phasor VIX in a cyclic manner and as a result, both the transmitted real power, 𝑃1𝑟 and
the reactive power, 𝑄1𝑟 also vary with 𝜌1𝑝𝑞 in a sinusoidal manner.

Fig d: Variation of receiving-end real and reactive power as a function of the injected
compensating voltage in Line 1.

The variation of 𝑃1𝑟 and 𝑄1𝑟 with rotating 𝑉1𝑝𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 can best be illustrated in the {𝑄1𝑟 ;
𝑃1𝑟 } plane shown, together with the corresponding phasor diagram, in Figure d. At the selected
transmission angle, 𝛿1 = 30°, the uncompensated System 1(𝑉1𝑝𝑞 = 0) transmits 𝑃𝑟,30 = 1.0 p.u. real
power to, and absorbs 𝑄𝑟,30 = 0.268 p.u. reactive power from, the receiving end. As shown for the
UPFC, the rotation of 𝑉1𝑝𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 over 360 degrees produces a circular locus for 𝑃1𝑟 and 𝑄1𝑟 with a
radius of [𝑃21𝑝𝑞 + 𝑄 21𝑝𝑞 (= 0.5 p.u.) from the center defined by the coordinates 𝑃1𝑟,30 = 1.0 and

𝑄1𝑟,30 = 0.268 in the {𝑄1𝑟 ; 𝑃1𝑟 } plane. This circular locus provides the boundary for the
twodimensional control range within which any corresponding 𝑄1𝑟 and 𝑃1𝑟 values are achievable
by the proper setting of magnitude 𝑉1𝑝𝑞 and angle 𝜌1𝑝𝑞 .
In the case of the UPFC, the real power exchanged through the series voltage insertion
is supplied via the shunt connected converter from the sending-end bus. In the case of the simple
IPFC considered here, this real power is obtained from the other line via the series-connected
compensating converter of that line. In order to establish the possible compensation range for
Line 2, under the constraints imposed by the unrestricted compensation of Line 1, it is helpful to
decompose the overall compensating power provided for Line 1 into reactive power 𝑄1𝑝𝑞 and real
power 𝑃1𝑝𝑞 . To this end, the injected voltage phasor 𝑉1𝑝𝑞 is decomposed into two components,
one, 𝑉1𝑞 in quadrature and the other, 𝑉1𝑝 in phase with the line current. The products of these with
the line current define 𝑄1𝑝𝑞 and 𝑃1𝑝𝑞 .

4. Compare between combined shunt-series compensators and individual compensators.

Series compensation has several advantages like it increases transmission capacity,
improve system stability, control voltage regulation and ensure proper load division among
parallel feeder. It Increase the transmittable active power.
Shunt compensation is used to improve the power factor. It has recognized that the steady-state
transmittable power can be increased and the voltage profile along the line can controlled.
UPFC is the combination of both series and shunt compensation. It is used to control the
active and reactive power flows in the transmission line. The controllable parameters of the UPFC
are reactance in the line, phase angle and voltage.

5. What is the need of UPFC instead of separate controllers?

A unified power flow controller (or UPFC) is an electrical device for providing fast-
acting reactive power compensation on high-voltage electricity transmission networks. The UPFC
is able to control, simultaneously or selectively, all the parameters affecting power flow in the
transmission line (i.e., voltage, impedance, and phase angle). The controller can control active and
reactive power flows in a transmission line.

6. What is the need of IPFC instead of separate controllers?

The Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC), compensates a number of transmission lines
at a given substation. The IPFC scheme, together with independently controllable reactive series
compensation of each individual line, provides a capability to directly transfer real power between
the compensated lines.