Mitigating Grid Overloads with Phase Shifting Transformers: A Control-Based Study

In recent years, the use of electrical energy has significantly increased. To meet the growing demand, new generating units have been installed across the country, and extensive transmission networks have been established to deliver this power to the grid, which supplies various loads. Additionally, grids have been interconnected to enhance the reliability and availability of electrical power. In an interconnected network, uneven loading can result in total power transmission from generation to load being lower than expected, leading to suboptimal utilization of transmission lines. Power flow control is essential to address energy congestion and improve the voltage profile. This study presents a method for power flow control using a Phase Shifting Transformer (PST) to enhance the total transfer capability of transmission lines and prevent overloading within a grid. The PST regulates power flow by altering the phase angle of the system's voltage. A MATLAB Simulink model of a power system is developed in this work, where power flow is controlled using PST across multiple generating plants. This research also explores improvements in power system transients and examines the effects of dynamic loads. The findings demonstrate that PSTs can significantly optimize power distribution, reducing the risk of line overloading. Additionally, the model showcases enhanced system stability and reliability under various load conditions.