Combination of Analytical Model and Finite Element Method for Designing High Voltage Shunt Reactors

Abstract

As we have known, shunt reactors (SRs) play a pivotal role in addressing various power quality challenges. These SRs are specifically engineered to address a range of issues in electrical systems, such as mitigating reactive power, controlling high-voltage grid fluctuations, suppressing power frequency variations, regulating overvoltage conditions, eliminating generator excitation problems, dynamically compensating for transmission line power losses, suppressing secondary arc currents, and dampening system resonance. To reduce harmonic currents appearing in the electrical power system, and minimize losses. the choice of core material, the deliberate introduction of air gaps within the reactor core, and the proper sizing of the reactor are all critical factors.  In this research, an analytical design is present to define the main dimensions, and magnetic field quantities (such as  inductance, fringing flux, current, voltage) of the SRs with the variation of air gap. Then, a finite element approach is developed to simulate and verify the obtained results from the analytical model. In addition, the impact of air gap dimensions within the core on the magnetic field and inductance values is also determined, providing valuable insights into the reactor's performance. The development of the methods is validated on the SR of 16 MVar, and a voltage of 500/√3.