Function of Shunt Reactor

• The shunt reactors are used to compensate reactive power generation in high voltage transmission lines and cable systems. 
• They are permanently used to stabilize power transmission line under light load conditions.

Overhead Lines

• There is a capacitance between transmission lines and earth. 
• The reactive power is generated due to these capacitance. 
• The reactive power should be balance to reduce energy losses therefore the shunt reactor increases energy efficiency of the transmission lines.

Voltage Stability

• The voltage of the transmission lines increases at light load. 
• A Shunt reactor reduces the voltage, keep the voltage within desirable limits therefore it provides voltage stability.

Variable Load Conditions

• The load on the transmission line is continuous variable. 
• The variable shunt reactor ( VSR ) continuously provides reactive power compensation. 
• The variable reactor is used in the Grid system. 
• It provides to improve voltage stability and power quality.

Cable

• The cable generates more reactive power than overhead lines therefore the shunt reactive power is more importance in the transmitting active power through cable.

Renewable Energy Sources

• The wind power and solar energy generates unpredictable and fluctuating active power. 
• The variable shunt reactors provide compensation of these power variations.

Auxiliary Power

• When a secondary winding is added to shunt reactor, it provides several MVA of power in remote areas. 
• The shunt reactor provides power to remote villages located close to sub stations without using high voltage step down transformer.

Reserve

• A variable shunt reactor ( VSR ) can be sued as a flexible reserve in different locations in large transmission lines.

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