SUB-(PEC-EE-415G) APT GITAM, Jhajhar
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Section C
Fundamentals of AC Power Transmission:
Electrical energy, after being produced at generating stations (TPS, HPS, NPS, etc.) is
transmitted to the consumers for utilization. This is due to the fact that generating stations are
usually situated away from the load centers. The network that transmits and delivers power from
the producers to the consumers is called the transmission system. This energy can be
transmitted in AC or DC form.
Single Line Diagram of AC Power Transmission System:
A typical single line diagram that represents the flow of energy in a given power system is
shown below:
Electric power is commonly (or usually) generated at 11 kV in generating stations in India and
Europe. While in some cases, generation voltage might be higher or lower. Generating machines,
to be used in power stations, are available between 6 kV to 25 kV from some big manufacturers.
This generating voltage is then stepped up to 132kV, 220kV, 400kV or 765kV etc. Stepping up
the voltage level depends upon the distance at which power is to be transmitted. Longer the
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Rajesh Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering
SUB-(PEC-EE-415G) APT GITAM, Jhajhar
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distance, higher will be the voltage level. Stepping up of voltage is to reduce the I2R losses
in transmitting the power (when voltage is stepped up, the current reduces by a relative amount
so that the power remains constant, and hence I2R loss also reduces). This stage is called
as primary transmission.
The voltage is the stepped down at a receiving station to 33kV or 66kV. Secondary
transmission lines emerge from this receiving station to connect substations located near load
centers (cities etc.).
The voltage is stepped down again to 11kV at a substation. Large industrial consumers can be
supplied at 11kV directly from these substations. Also, feeders emerge from these substations.
This stage is called as primary distribution.
Feeders are either overhead lines or underground cables which carry power close to the load
points (end consumers) up to a couple of kilometers. Finally, the voltage is stepped down to 415
volts by a pole-mounted distribution transformer and delivered to the distributors. End
consumers are supplied through a service mains line from distributors. The secondary
distribution system consists of feeders, distributors and service mains.
Different Types of Transmission System:
1. Single phase AC system
o single phase, two wires
o single phase, two wires with midpoint earthed
o single phase, three wires
2. Two phase AC system
o two-phase, three wires
o two-phase, four wires
3. Three phase AC system
o three-phase, three wires
o three-phase, four wires
4. DC system
o DC two wires
o DC two wires with midpoint earthed
o DC three wires
Electric power transmission can also be carried out using underground cables. But,
construction of an underground transmission line generally costs 4 to 10 times than an equivalent
distance overhead line. However, it is to be noted that, the cost of constructing underground
transmission lines highly depends upon the local environment. Also, the cost of conductor
material required is one of the most considerable charges in a transmission system. Since
conductor cost is a major part of the total cost, it has to be taken into consideration while
designing. The choice of transmission system is made by keeping in mind various factors such as
reliability, efficiency and economy. Usually, overhead transmission system is used.
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Rajesh Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering
SUB-(PEC-EE-415G) APT GITAM, Jhajhar
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Transmission Problems and Needs:
With ever increasing demand of electric power, the existing transmission networks even in the
developed countries are found to be weak which results in poor quality of unreliable supply.
Also, it is seen that in order to expand or enhance the power transfer capability of the existing
transmission network huge sum of finances are required and sometimes even difficulties are
encountered in finding right-of-way for the new lines. Lot of research has gone into developing
new technologies over the past few years to gain increased efficiency from the existing power
system. This programme is known as Flexible a.c. Transmission System abbreviated as FACTS.
The new technologies employ high speed thyristors for switching in or out transmission line
components such as capacitors, reactors or phase shifting transformer for some desirable
performance of the systems.
The main objective of FACTS devices is to replace the existing slow acting mechanical controls
required to react to the changing system conditions by rather fast acting electronic controls. The
mechanical controls require power system operators and designers to provide generous margins
to assure a stable and reliable operation of the system. As a result the existing systems cannot be
made use of to their full capacity. However, with the use of fast acting controls, the power
system margins could be reduced and power system capability could be more fully utilised while
maintaining the present levels of quality and reliability.
The concept of FACTS is explaining as follows:
We know that, the power transfer between two systems interconnected through a tieline is given
as
𝑉1 𝑉2
𝑝= sin 𝛿
𝑋
It can be seen that power flow can be controlled by three parameters, the voltage at the two
system, the reactance of the tie line and difference in the voltage angles at the two ends. The
FACTS devices can be used to control one or more of these parameters. The various devices are
(i) Static VAR Compensator, (ii) Controlled Series Compensation, (iii) Static Condensers, (iv)
Advanced control series compensation, (v) Thyristor Controlled Phase Shifting Transformer.
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Rajesh Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering
