Impact of Power Former on System Stability

Abstract

Conventional high voltage generators are designed with voltage levels rated to maximum of 30 kV. The power grids with voltages as high as 765 kV cannot be directly supplied from these generators. Power step-up transformers are used to transform the generated voltage to high transmission voltage level suitable for the interface with the transmission grid. These transformers impose significant drawbacks on the power plant as a whole reduction in efficiency, high maintenance costs, more space, less availability and an increased environmental impact. During the last century, a number of attempts were made at developing a high-voltage generator, the Powerformer that could be connected directly to the power grid, without step-up transformer. When XLPE-insulated cables were introduced in the 1960s there were some initial problems with their reliability, caused by poor control of the manufacturing processes. These problems have since been overcome and today's high-voltage XLPE-insulated cables have an impressive track record. Therefore, the development of the Powerformer is inherently linked to the reliability and the development of the XLPE insulated ca- bles. The Powerformer has opened a new technological chapter in the generation and transmission of electrical energy. Scope of the project includes modeling and analysis of Powerformer during faults and its impact on stability of the power system.