Case Study 1: Dynamic Load Balancing with 2-Level UPFC in a Transmission Corridor

Calendar icon.

May 27, 2025 | Blog

Diagram of dynamic load balancing using a 2-level UPFC in a transmission corridor, showing power plant, lines, and infinite bus.

Client: Confidential

Location: Southeastern USA

System Configuration: Single-machine to infinite bus system with parallel lines

Objective: Prevent line overload during rapid generation shifts

Background:

A power plant in the southeastern U.S. experienced overloading on its secondary transmission line (Line 1B) whenever active generation ramped up beyond 120 MW due to seasonal peak demand. The primary line (Line 1) was underutilized due to a lack of dynamic flow control.

Solution Implemented:

Keentel Engineering deployed a 2-level Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) on Line 1, as modeled in the referenced IEEE study. The UPFC’s series compensator regulated active power while the shunt branch maintained DC bus and voltage stability.

Technical Highlights:

  • Initial Generation: 75 MW (25 MW via Line 1, 50 MW via Line 1B)
  • Ramped Generation: 140 MW post 100ms demand spike
  • Power Re-routing: UPFC dynamically rerouted power to Line 1, reducing Line 1B stress
  • Control Strategy: Block diagram-based d-q rotating frame control as shown on page 2, Fig. 3

Results:

  • Maintained power flow within the 80 MW thermal limit of Line 1B
  • Enabled flexible generation ramping without reconfiguration
  • Improved system stability and minimized reactive power losses

Case Study 2: Voltage Support in Urban Substation Using Shunt Compensation

Client: Confidential

Location: Midwest USA

System Configuration: 400 kV ring bus with dual supply and dynamic RL load

Objective: Mitigate voltage sag at critical urban bus under fluctuating load

Background:

A major metropolitan area in the Midwest observed voltage dips at a distribution bus (Bus 2) when reactive-heavy RL industrial loads were introduced. The instability risked tripping protection relays and violating utility voltage criteria.

Solution Implemented:

Keentel Engineering integrated a 2-level UPFC at Bus 2 using the configuration described in page 3, Fig. 9. The shunt branch regulated reactive power injection, while the series branch maintained power flow balance across Line 1.

System Parameters:

  • Base Load: 80 MW
  • Disturbance Load: 5 MW + 75 MVAr RL load added at 0.02 sec
  • Control Mechanism: Reactive power control via d-q frame (equation 9, page 2)

Results:

  • Voltage sag was reduced by 12% compared to the non-UPFC case (Fig. 10, page 3)
  • Reactive power injected adaptively, peaking at 0.8 pu during maximum load
  • Voltage restored to nominal value within 50ms of disturbance

Man in a blazer and open shirt, looking at the camera, against a blurred background.

About the Author:

Sonny Patel P.E. EC

IEEE Senior Member

In 1995, Sandip (Sonny) R. Patel earned his Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois, specializing in Electrical Engineering . But degrees don’t build legacies—action does. For three decades, he’s been shaping the future of engineering, not just as a licensed Professional Engineer across multiple states (Florida, California, New York, West Virginia, and Minnesota), but as a doer. A builder. A leader. Not just an engineer. A Licensed Electrical Contractor in Florida with an Unlimited EC license. Not just an executive. The founder and CEO of KEENTEL LLC—where expertise meets execution. Three decades. Multiple states. Endless impact.

Four workers in safety vests and helmets stand with arms crossed near wind turbines.

Let's Discuss Your Project

Let's book a call to discuss your electrical engineering project that we can help you with.

Man in a blazer and open shirt, looking at the camera, against a blurred background.

About the Author:

Sonny Patel P.E. EC

IEEE Senior Member

In 1995, Sandip (Sonny) R. Patel earned his Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois, specializing in Electrical Engineering . But degrees don’t build legacies—action does. For three decades, he’s been shaping the future of engineering, not just as a licensed Professional Engineer across multiple states (Florida, California, New York, West Virginia, and Minnesota), but as a doer. A builder. A leader. Not just an engineer. A Licensed Electrical Contractor in Florida with an Unlimited EC license. Not just an executive. The founder and CEO of KEENTEL LLC—where expertise meets execution. Three decades. Multiple states. Endless impact.

Leave a Comment

Related Posts

Keentel Engineering logo with the text “Owner’s Engineer Services in Renewable Energy & Power Infras
By SANDIP R PATEL February 20, 2026
Independent Owner’s Engineer services for renewable energy, substations, transmission, and BESS projects—protecting quality, compliance, and long-term asset value.
WECC logo with the text “Electric Reliability and Security for the West” and title “WECC Interconnec
By SANDIP R PATEL February 20, 2026
Understand WECC interconnection-wide modeling requirements for steady-state and dynamic cases, BES compliance, DER integration, and long-term planning.
Engineer analyzing harmonic distortion in a power substation with current and voltage waveform graph
By SANDIP R PATEL February 20, 2026
Learn why harmonic distortion is rising in modern power systems and how harmonic studies protect grid stability, compliance, and critical assets.
Comparison of issued-for-construction and as-built substation drawings at an electrical substation s
By SANDIP R PATEL February 19, 2026
Learn why as-built substation drawings often differ from construction plans and how stronger QA/QC, constructability reviews, and procurement alignment prevent costly field rework.
BIM-enabled utility substation design showing 3D digital model visualization on tablet and laptop wi
By SANDIP R PATEL February 19, 2026
Discover how BIM transforms substation design into a lifecycle-driven, data-rich utility platform improving engineering, procurement, and operations.
ERCOT PGRR 085 Dynamic Model Improvements: Requirements, PSCAD Benchmarking & Compliance Guide
By SANDIP R PATEL February 17, 2026
Explore ERCOT PGRR 085 dynamic model improvements, PSCAD validation, model quality testing, and compliance requirements for IBRs.
Blog banner showing data centers, utility-scale battery storage, and power transmission infrastructu
By SANDIP R PATEL February 10, 2026
Analysis of how hyperscale data centers and gigawatt-scale loads are transforming U.S. power systems, driving new tariffs, transmission upgrades, and critical power system studies.
Blog banner showing virtual power plants, utility-scale battery storage, solar panels, and wind turb
By SANDIP R PATEL February 10, 2026
Industry update on virtual power plants, large-scale energy storage, long-duration systems, and grid resilience trends reshaping the U.S. power system in 2026.
Aerial view of a large-scale 700 MWh battery energy storage facility with grid-connected solar panel
By SANDIP R PATEL February 10, 2026
Statistical insights into Alliant Energy’s 700 MWh utility-scale battery storage deployment across Wisconsin and Iowa, analyzing grid reliability, EMS integration, solar firming, and decarbonization impact.