A unified relocatable SVC for open-cast lignite mining in Turkey

Design and implementation of a unified, relocatable static VAr compensator (SVC) meeting the reactive power compensation needs of various coal enterprises of Turkey for open-cast lignite mining are presented. Design and sizing of SVCs are based on mains data for all possible connection points, load bus data recorded in the field, monthly electric bills, and simulations carried out on PSCAD/EMTDC, SPICE, and MATLAB. In addition to standard ac/dc converter and motor tools used in the modeling of electric excavators, actual load characteristics obtained from data collected in the field by means of a data acquisition system have been processed in PSCAD/EMTDC to find out reactive power demand of each load bus, and to optimize sizing of the SVC within the power-factor penalty limits imposed by electricity authorities. The SVC component ratings have been based upon the suitability to all possible loads under worst operating conditions, thus making sure that they can be operated for different loading conditions, minimizing stock requirements, and inspection and maintenance costs. The implemented systems are flexible and extendable in order to meet the future needs of coal enterprises.