A Novel Modular Mobile Power Flow Controller for Real-Time Congestion Management Tested on a 150kV Transmission System

Congestion issues are becoming more prevalent as the share of variable renewable energy increases. Conventional methods to mitigate them, such as building new lines, require significant lead time and upfront investment costs. Thus, alternative approaches that deal with congestion problems faster and in a more efficient manner have gained significant interest. In this paper, a modular mobile power flow controller (MPFC) is proposed that can redirect power flow from congested lines to adjacent ones by modifying the line reactance, but also offers additional significant advantages: a) scalability due to the modular nature that allows the MPFC to be sized optimally for addressing specific system needs, b) redeployability due to the mobile deployment method that allows the MPFC to be rapidly deployed and easily removed and redeployed to another location, and c) replicability stemming from the minimal construction requirements for connecting the MPFC to the transmission grid. The whole process of planning, installing, operating and redeploying the MPFC on a 150kV transmission system is thoroughly documented and studied. Overall, this paper presents a novel technology that can offer a quicker and at a lower cost solution to congestion issues, while reducing the impact of new infrastructure on communities and the environment.