A study at the GCC power grid with the STATCOM tailored application to the network in between Bahrain & Qatar
Authors: Masood Tariq 
Published: November 2013

The GCC region has become a hub of major economic growth in the world. It is providing financial support and incentives to the GCC countries. Hereby, it has witnessed population growth and large scale industrial activities in the GCC countries. This has led to increased demand for electricity. Current demand for GCC power consumption is about 60 GW and it is projected that it will reach 180 GW within next 25 years. In order to maintain a reliable, sustainable, and well controlled power transfer between the GCC countries. FACTS controllers are, therefore, strong candidates' technology options. This paper presents a non-traditional control and operation of a STATCOM connecting Qatar and Bahrain in the Gulf Cooperative Council Interconnection. The primary aim of this work is to address the transmission system operational challenges by implementing advance transmission technologies. This study indicates that the STATCOM device will provide proven technical solution to address these operating challenges being presented in between Qatar and Bahrain at the GCC power grid. Hence, the STATCOM device allows for improved and sustainable power transmission system operations with degree of precision. The main benefit of the STATCOM device is to provide the 'cycling per repeatability' during reactive power compensation and ensure a smooth control that comprises power electronics based switching. The STATCOM device has a strong positive impact to improve voltage quality and power system stability in between Qatar and Bahrain. This has been selected by using Wideband Delphi technique. It has also a positive impact on infrastructure investment, environment and implementation time compared to the construction of new lines. The simulation results demonstrate precisely STATCOM control parameters, improving the power transmission system performance at different transmission system's contingencies. These results are clearly shown an increase of the loadability, reduction of the losses and enhancement of the sustainability in the GCC Interconnection. This is divided into two basic segmental links, neighboring to neighboring and common-link topologies. Firstly, Oman and UAE are interconnected through neighboring to neighboring control topologies. Secondly, Qatar, Bahrain, KSA and Kuwait are interconnected through common-link control topology and this is also known as the Northern System. In the third stage common-link topology demonstrates UAE national grid and Oman northern grid interconnection; this is known as southern systems. Thirdly, southern and northern power systems are connected through hybrid link control topology. In this study a STATCOM's three control limits have developed and synthesized at (minimum (+/-) medium (+/-), and maximum (+/-) compensation. These control limits are adjusted by configuring their corresponding PI control values by using D.J. Cooper PID control Technique for (1)Increased Power flow (2) Improved reliability & controllability (4) Enhanced angle and voltage stability. Fig.1 illustrates the designed power exchange in between GCC countries and Fig.2 shows an inter-tie connection in between the GCC countries. Fig.3.Wideband Delphi Process Flow Diagram Fig.4. Wideband Delphi repeated process Fig.5 shows the network without STATCOM. Fig.6 shows the STATCOM impact on GCC power grid. Fig.7. Transfer functions of the PI compensator. Fig.8. indicates the PI control values