Enhancement of Voltage Stability on Nigerian Electricity Transmission Network Using Static Synchronous Compensator

Abstract

The rapid increase in electricity demand, coupled with inadequate infrastructure and system planning, has resulted in severe voltage stability issues. The voltage stability issues in Nigeria's power system caused by inadequate infrastructure and system planning, resulting in frequent blackouts, voltage collapse, and system disturbances, with significant impacts on the economy and quality of life of the population. Installation and optimal placement of a Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) device in the transmission network can mitigate severe voltage stability issue. However, analysis of electric power system for network planning and operation requires the knowledge of the network parameters to examine system behavior. Power flow and contingency analysis is an essential tool in power system operation. In this research, a case study of Osogbo regional transmission network was analyzed by carrying out power flow solution and contingency analysis using power system simulation (PSS) software. The analysis was used to make decision on optimal location of STATCOM in the network by simulating its effect on the bus voltage during disturbance. Reactive-Voltage (QV) curve of the vulnerable buses were plotted to examine the proximity of the operating point to the point of voltage collapse and to study the effect of different outage on the reactive power margin with respect to the specified voltage with and without STATCOM. The result shows that optimal location of Flexible Alternating Current Transmission system (FACTS) device does not only regulate the bus where it is connected to but also stabilize the voltage of the whole network during N-1 contingency. The 33% voltage violations that occur during the most severe N-1 contingency case were reduced to 0% by placing the STATCOM at Ibadan North bus, thereby improving the voltage stability of the network. The study highlights the potential benefits of using STATCOM technology in enhancing the voltage stability and reducing the risks associated with transmission networks.