A solution for EAFinduced problems in bulk power systems by FACT/ESS

Abstract

Electrical Arc Furnaces (EAF's) are commonly employed in industry to produce molten steel by melting iron and scrap steel. EAF's can be a source of power quality problems and a potential threat to nearby generators. This study examines the effects of a 40MVA EAF operating at Hoeganaes in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) power system, particularly the effects on the power generators at Gallatin Plant. It also attempts to define the role of FACTS/ESS in correcting EAF induced problems in the TVA system. The authors analyzed how EAF operation can affect a power system by giving a detailed discussion about the function of X/R ratio. The simulation results show that energy storage system can offer improvements over more conventional FACTS methods in curtailing the effects of EAF induced problems.Index Terms--bulk power system, electrical arc furnace, energy storage system, FACTS, modeling, PSS/E, power quality problem, simulation. Mariesa L. Crow (SM'94) received B.S.E degree from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and the Ph.D degree from the University of Illinois, at Urbana-Champaign. Currently, she is the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Affairs and a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla, Rolla. Her research interests include developing computational methods for dynamic security assessment and the application of power electronics in bulk power system. Dr. Crow is the Vice-President for Education/Industry relations of the IEEE Power Engineering Society.