The Interline Power Flow Controller concept: A new approach to power flow management in transmission systems

The Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC) proposed is a new concept for th e compensation and effective power flow management of multi-line transmissi on systems. In its general form, the IPFC employs a number of inverters wit h a common de link, each to provide series compensation for a selected line of the transmission system. Because of the common de link, any inverter wi thin the IPFC is able to transfer real power to any other and thereby facil itate real power transfer among the lines of the transmission system. Since each inverter is also able to provide reactive compensation, the IPFC is a ble to carry out an overall real and reactive power compensation of the tot al transmission system. This capability makes it possible to equalize both real and reactive power flow between the lines, transfer power from overloa ded to underloaded lines, compensate against reactive voltage drops and the corresponding reactive line power, and to increase the effectiveness of th e compensating system against dynamic disturbances. The paper explains the basic theory and operating characteristics of the IPFC with phasor diagrams , P-Q plots and simulated waveforms.