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Static Var Compensator Solutions

Static Var Compensator Solutions

Increasing Grid Reliability

GE’s Static Var Compensator (SVC) solutions are a cost-effective and efficient means to provide dynamic voltage support and maintain the reliability and efficiency of power supply. These solutions are highly reliable, easy to integrate into both existing and new infrastructures, and reduce the investment  required for building new network extensions.

GE provides a broad range of SVC configurations with two types of SVC design, classic and patented Main Reactor, and every solution is customized based on the utility’s technical and economic requirements.

GE advantage Classic SVC Main reactor SVC Advanced digital control Advanced thyristor valve GE experience
GE Advantage

GE’s SVC solutions are customized based on the utility’s technical and economic requirements for their network such as fault level and load parameters. GE provides an extensive services portfolio comprised of feasibility and network studies, project management, engineering capabilities, equipment, installation services and long term maintenance contracts, delivering an integrated and robust system that provides utilities with the following competitive advantages.

Model Based Design Control ensures optimal and accurate performance of the SVC by direct deployment into the system software
Classic SVC and GE’s patented Main Reactor SVC provides more design flexibility to ensure optimized system performance
Manufacturing excellence and deep domain technical expertise providing full system lifecycle support resulting in simplified and streamlined commercial offerings
Example of a classic SVC design
GE’s Classic SVC Design
100/+200Mvar classic SVC design
-100/+200Mvar classic SVC design

GE’s Classic SVC design is customized based on the utilities key requirements for system performance. Every system is tested extensively during factory acceptance testing and site commissioning to ensure guaranteed performance.

Main components of the system include:
  • SVC transformers
  • Thyristor Controlled Reactors (TCR)
  • Thyristor Switched Capacitors (TSC)
  • Harmonic Filters
  • Advanced Thyristor Valve (ATV)
  • Advanced Digital Control (ADC)
  • Protection and Auxiliary systems
  • Thyristor valve cooling system
System ratings include:
  • Typical utility voltage levels: approx. 69 < kV < 800
  • Typical utility overall ratings: approx. 40 < Mvar <1,200
Example of a classic SVC design
Example of a classic SVC design
GE’s Patented Main Reactor SVC Design
-100/+200Mvar Main Reactor design, with smaller footprint
-100/+200Mvar Main Reactor design, with smaller footprint

GE’s patented Main Reactor SVC design is customized based on the utility’s key requirements for system performance. Every system is tested extensively during factory acceptance testing and site commissioning to ensure guaranteed performance.

Traditionally, the SVC medium voltage bus is connected directly to the SVC coupling transformer, but with the main reactor configuration there is a reactor connected between SVC bus and coupling transformer.

The Main Reactor concept efficiently isolates harmonics, even in demanding network conditions. This design requires fewer harmonic filters enabling a compact, optimized SVC layout.

The Main Reactor has many other inherent benefits for improved harmonics, simpler design and cost savings, including:
Main components of the system include:
  • SVC Transformers
  • Thyristor Controlled Reactors (TCR)
  • Main Reactor
  • Harmonic filters
  • Advanced Thyristor Valve (ATV)
  • Advanced Digital Control (ADC)
  • Protection and Auxiliary systems
  • Thyristor valve cooling system
Example of a Main Reactor SVC design
Example of a Main Reactor SVC design
Model based design system
Advanced Digital Control platform for SVC systems
GE’s Advanced Digital Control for SVC Systems

GE’s approach to SVC Control System represents the latest in design methodology by utilizing a powerful Model Based Design approach. With this approach the SVC Control System software is built using a core library of complex control algorithms that represents over 50 years of FACTS experience within GE. Model Based Design utilizes a graphical interface for the design stage and translation of control models with automatic code generation for all testing and verification stages. With this approach, GE has enhanced the quality, reliability, and maintainability of the Advanced Digital Control system for SVCs.

Model Based Design Advantages
GE's advanced thyristor valve
GE's Advanced Thyristor Valve
Thyristor Controlled Reactor and Thyristor Switched Capacitors

Thyristor valves are used for controlling reactive power in Static Var Compensators. Thyristor Controlled Reactor (TCR) valves are used to control the effective fundamental frequency current in the reactors by controlling the conducting ratio through varying the firing angle of the thyristors. Thyristor Switched Capacitors (TSC) bank valves are used for switching capacitor banks on or off according to the reactive power demand on a time scale of several periods or more.

Advanced Thyristor Valve for SVC Systems

The Advanced Thyristor Valve (ATV) is GE’s latest range of liquid-cooled thyristor valves for Static Var Compensator applications. These thyristor valves have been developed by drawing on GE’s extensive experience of more than 50 years of applying thyristor based SVCs both for transmission and industrial applications. The ATV provides a very compact, versatile and standardized platform for both TCR and TSC variants.

GE Experience

GE has designed, delivered and supports over 380 Static Var Compensator Systems globally in a broad range of applications and environments. The below details are a selected representation of recent projects, a complete reference list is available upon request.

Static Var Compensator Systems Selected Projects
Customer References
  1. Location: West Wharton, NJ, USA
    Rating: -260/+40 Mvar, 230 kV
  2. Location: St-Marc-de-Figuery, Canada
    Rating: -100/+300 Mvar, 315 kV
  3. Location: Alberta, Canada
    Rating: -100/+200 Mvar, 240 kV
  4. Location: Alaska, USA
    Rating: Refurbishment of 3 SVCs - (-22 to +22 Mvar) - Wasilla,
    AK-(-5 to +33 Mvar) - Fairbanks, AK-(-33 to +22 Mvar) - Healy, AK
  5. Location: Roanoke, VA, USA
    Rating: -45/+165 Mvar, 34.5kV (138 kV)
  6. Location: Pasqua, Saskatchewan, Canada
    Rating: -40/+150 Mvar in 2x(-20/+75) Mvar, 138 kV
  7. Location: State of Victoria, Australia
    Rating: -26/+49 Mvar, 220 kV
  8. Location: Veracruz, Mexico
    Rating: -60/+180 to 0/+240 Mvar, 34.5 kV
  9. Location: Mexicali, Mexico
    Rating: -75/+200 Mvar, 230 kV
  10. Location: Brazil
    Rating: -200 / +300 Mvar, 500 kV
  11. Location: Brazil
    Rating: -75 / +150 Mvar, 230 kV
  1. Location: Brazil
    Rating: -75 / +150 Mvar, 230 kV
  2. Location: Peru
    Rating: ±15 Mvar, 138 kV
  3. Location: Imbirussu, Brazil
    Rating: ±100 Mvar, 230 kV
  4. Location: Scotland, UK
    1st Installation of GE’s patented Main Reactor design
    Rating: -150 / +150 Mvar, 275 kV
  5. Location: Quway’iyah, Saudi Arabia
    Rating: +170 /-50 Mvar SVC
  6. Location: Saudi Arabia
    Rating: +300/-150 Mvar SVC and expansion of 110kV GIS at 380kV BSP and two 110kV, 100Mvar bus connected shunt capacitors at 380kV BSP
  7. Location: La Merlatiere and Domloup, France
    Patented Main Reactor Design
    Rating: ±250 Mvar at 225 kV
  8. Location: Kangasala, Finland
    Rating: -200/+240 Mvar, 400 kV
  9. Location: Albany, New Zealand
    Rating: ±100 Mvar, 220 kV