US Patent:
20090212643, Aug 27, 2009
Inventors:
John Paul Skliutas - Clifton Park NY, US
Bruce Edward English - Saratoga Springs NY, US
Assignee:
General Electric Company - Schenectady NY
International Classification:
H01H 83/00
Abstract:
Systems and methods of dynamic reactive power support for a power transmission system are provided. In one embodiment, a method of dynamic reactive power support for a power transmission system includes at least one circuit breaker connecting a shunt capacitor bank containing at least one shunt capacitor with a metal oxide varistor (MOV) connected in parallel. A controller is used to detect a voltage drop at the power transmission system (e.g., substation bus). In response to detecting the voltage drop, the controller closes the circuit breaker(s) connecting the shunt capacitors to the power transmission system. The controller then monitors at least one MOV to detect a current flow. Upon detection of a current flow in the MOV, the controller disconnects one or more shunt capacitors from the power transmission system by opening one or more circuit breakers. The shunt capacitors may be disconnected simultaneously, sequentially, in groups, or otherwise.
