FACTS compensation modeling of the Eskom's Albany-Wesley 66/22kV transmission system for optimal power transfer

Eskom's Eastern Cape Albany-Wesley 66/22kV Transmission system has been experiencing a large voltage drop caused by its length. The voltage drop is an obvious indication of the imbalance between the generated and consumed reactive power in the transmission system. Utilities take different measures to raise the nominal voltage, but this act though it satisfies the consumers, is done at the expense of other parameters in the system. If careful planning is not done, the transmission compensation can result in the inability to transfer power at the designed capacity. The installation of a compensator must take into account its quality; rating, location and then the compensator must target a specific constraint in the transmission system. Reactive VAr compensation as generated by capacitors was identified as one method suitable to improve the power transfer capacity by overcoming a number of transmission constraints on the above named transmission line.