Ubiquitous power flow control in meshed grids

A new method of power flow control in a meshed network has been presented earlier, to enable power dispatch along a defined path without impacting flows on branches adjacent to the path. This paper explores the type of power converter topology that could optimally provide the desired control function. This includes well known FACTS devices such as back-to-back converters (BTB) and unified power flow controllers (UPFC), as well as newer devices such as controllable network transformers (CNT), and distributed series impedance (DSI) devices. Equipment ratings are calculated for the BTB, UPFC, CNT and CNT-DSI hybrid solutions. Scalability to grid voltages and power levels is also discussed. Power flow capability, implementing the proposed solution with ideal voltage sources, is shown via simulation for the IEEE 39 bus system. Finally, functionality is simulated in a meshed, four-bus system using switching devices. Proposed functionality would allow more efficient market operation, incentivize transmission investment and ensure physical delivery of contracted energy, thus enabling real-time markets for low carbon (green) sources.