Improvement of distribution voltage profile and system effeciency using static synchronous compensator: A case study of Kigali Distribution Feeder

Abstract

The operation and management of power system has become complex than earlier because the power system is being operated near or closer to its operating limits due to the increasing of electricity demand. This is associated with problem of poor power system stability, reliability and efficiency. This thesis takes into consideration a case study of Kigali distribution feeder from Jabana substation which suffers from poor voltage profile; the problem is that when all major loads are connected, the voltage profile tends to fall below the minimum operating range and when the system is loaded with low load the voltage profile tends to go beyond the maximum allowed operating range. This leads to increased power system losses, poor reliability and poor performance of customers’ appliances. To mitigate this issue, this thesis dissertation presents a design of static synchronous compensator of 3.2MVA to improve the operating voltage profile of 0.88-1.11p.u and brings back in normal allowed operating range (0.93pu and 1.08pu) respectively and increase system efficiency by reducing the line losses by 16.7% or 215kW.