J. L. Olabarrieta Rubio, P. Eguia Lopez, E. Torres Iglesias, A. Etxegarai Madina

A Comparative Study of Static VAR Systems for ImprovingVoltage Stability in Expansion of Mining Projects with Gearless Motor Drives

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Modeling and Simulation
Save to CiteDrive Show PDF

In the next decade, the demand for copper is expected to grow by 25%, posing a challenge for mining facilities to increase their production by opening new mines or upgrading existing ones. To optimize the electrical infrastructure of mining facilities, the integration of flexible AC transmission systems (FACTSs) can be instrumental in mitigating voltage stability issues that may arise during the installation of new gearless motor drives (GMDs). The purpose of this paper is to conduct a comparative analysis of the dynamic performance of static VAR systems (SVSs) as a means of enhancing voltage stability in mining expansion projects, particularly in the context of the integration of new GMDs into the system. This paper presents a case study of an existing three crushing-line mine configuration that has been upgraded with two new GMD systems. The primary contribution of this research is a comprehensive methodology designed to enhance the stability of a mining system through the integration of an SVS, which includes the sizing of the SVS system, an analysis of costs, as well as a determination of the required installation surface and optimal placement of the SVS within the system. The simulation results conclusively demonstrate the effectiveness of the SVS systems in reducing the voltage drop by 2% upon activation of new GMDs, as well as mitigating the adverse impact of transient disturbances on the system. Specifically, the first oscillation voltage peak value is improved by 3.5%, following a three-phase short circuit of 1 second duration, while overvoltage is reduced by 1% in response to sudden load changes. When compared with the system without an installed SVS, these findings highlight the significant advantages and benefits of integrating SVSs into mining operations.

Need a simple solution for managing your BibTeX entries? Explore CiteDrive!

  • Web-based, modern reference management
  • Collaborate and share with fellow researchers
  • Integration with Overleaf
  • Comprehensive BibTeX/BibLaTeX support
  • Save articles and websites directly from your browser
  • Search for new articles from a database of tens of millions of references
Try out CiteDrive

More from our Archive