ABB Power Electronics has delivered a large-capacity PCS 600-SVC (Static Var Compensator) System to Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC). The 0-19 MVAr system was delivered to and commissioned at ODEC's site on the Eastern Shore of Virginia within only three months from the date of order.

ODEC, in cooperation with its local distribution cooperative member, A & N, contracted with ABB for the SVC system "in order to provide dynamic voltage support to a long radial transmission feed," said Anders G. Troedson, director of ABB Inc, Power Electronics. Demand for SVC technology, which provides dynamic voltage regulation, flicker mitigation, and power factor compensation for utilities, cooperatives, and industrial applications, is growing rapidly, as generation capacities continue to be strained, he said.

"Static Var Compensation seamlessly compensates for voltage sags caused by high-power equipment re-closures, line faults, commutations, and inductive loads. Large reactive power changes from arc furnaces, large motors and capacitor-bank switching are also taxing the generation systems," Troedson noted.

Voltage Stabilization

ABB's Power Conditioning System, custom designed for ODEC, features two weatherproof walk-in enclosures, each equipped with 4 MVA voltage source inverters; the extremely compact inverters, built with ABB's high-performance ACS 600 technology, utilize fast-switching IGBT semiconductors. The PCS600-SVC system includes a capacitor bank, with an 11 MVAr capacity, and utility power transformers, which are installed between the two walk-in inverter enclosures.

"The total system capacity -- 19MVAr -- in this installation is critical," Troedson noted, "as the system rapidly can compensate offsets and stabilize the voltage drops occurring on this long transmission line."

ABB's high-performance, IGBT-based PCS 600-SVC, with its small footprint, modular hardware design, and advanced software features, enables ABB to produce "customer-tailored solutions in record time at very cost-competitive rates," according to Troedson. The PCS 600-SVC covers the reactive power range from ± 350 kVar up to a maximum ± 2000 kVar per unit. Multiple units are paralleled for system ratings greater than ± 2000 kVar. ABB's global presence as a technology leader also makes it easy to provide local service and maintenance support throughout the world, Troedson said.