This paper presents a new approach which simplifies the steady-state analys
is and design of power how controllers (PFC), The method is independent of
the size and complexity of networks. It introduces the power controller pla
ne where two families of nearly decoupled active power characteristics are
defined as a function of the phase angle across the PFC: one for the networ
k and the other for the PFC. Limiting cases of each families are used to de
fine a working area which contains all the operating points of a given PFC
and where its most stressing operating conditions can be readily identified
. With this approach, only a few network cases are needed to perform steady
-state PFC studies for both pre- and post-contingency conditions. Because t
he method looks at networks from the PFC's point of view, it simplifies con
tingency analysis, the design of PFCs and the definition of simple network
equivalents suitable for active power flow studies.