Amalgam Power Flow Controller: A Novel Flexible, Reliable, and Cost-Effective Solution to Control Power Flow

In this paper, a new device of FACTS family named as amalgam power flow controller (APFC) is proposed. APFC is the amalgamation of electromagnetic and voltage source based converter devices. The key feature of the model is that it inherits the characteristics of both devices. APFC is an economical FACTS device, which not only controls power flow in a network but also increases the reliability and security of power systems. This paper also proposes a new hybrid approach based modeling technique to develop a mathematical model of APFC. Converter losses of APFC are also incorporated in mathematical modeling. The feasibility and convergence characteristics of the proposed APFC are investigated using benchmark IEEE 30-bus and 118-bus test systems.