Benefits of Voltage Scheduling in Power Systems

This paper concerns itself with the utilization and the coordination of reactive sources and other voltage control equipment in system operations. The reactive sources specifically considered are: generators, synchronous condensers, switched static capacitors and shunt reactors, and transformers with and without load tap changing capabilities. The paper presents a methodology for determining the benefits that can be achieved in the proper scheduling of these sources in a power system. The benefits as shown are: savings in fuel production costs, unloading of the system equipment, improved system security, and improved voltages over the system. From a large system study conducted, it appears that these benefits can be obtained with only minor modifications in present scheduling procedures.