The bootstrap variable inductance: a new FACTS control element

A new FACTS controller, the bootstrap variable inductance, can emulate variable positive and negative inductance. Unlike the conventional capacitive approach for reducing inductive reactance in AC power systems, it has the advantage that resonance is impossible. The bootstrap variable inductance has a variety of FACTS applications: series compensation of lines, fault-current limiting, reactive-power control and load power-factor improvement. The analyze its operation with particular attention to harmonics, and confirm the results through simulations.