System and method for reactive power compensation in power networks

1. A reactive power compensation system, comprising:

at least one sensor for obtaining information regarding a plurality of network parameters;

a controller for:

generating a variable power factor curve for a minimum loading condition, a maximum loading condition, and a mean loading condition for at least one power generator based on the information regarding the plurality of network parameters;

computing a reactive power based on the variable power factor curve and a value of an active power output parameter of the at least one power generator;

generating a reactive power compensation command based on the computed reactive power;

transmitting the reactive power compensation command to the at least one power generator for controlling operation of the at least one power generator; and

damping dynamic variations in voltage based on the variable power factor curve generated for the minimum loading condition, the maximum loading condition, and the mean loading condition.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a central controller for generating the variable power factor curve.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the controller further comprises a local controller for receiving the variable power factor curve, computing the reactive power based on the variable power factor curve and the value of the active power output parameter, generating the reactive power compensation command, and transmitting the reactive power compensation command.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of network parameters comprises electrical parameters of components in a power network.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of network parameters further comprises load and generation forecasting data.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured for generating the variable power factor curve on a periodic basis and for computing the reactive power compensation command on a continuous basis.

7. A method comprising:

using at least one sensor for obtaining information regarding network parameters;

generating a variable power factor curve for a minimum loading condition, a maximum loading condition, and a mean loading condition for at least one power generator based on the information regarding the network parameters;

obtaining a value of an active output power parameter from the at least one power generator;

computing a reactive power based on the variable power factor curve and the value of the active power output parameter of the at least one power generator;

generating a reactive power compensation command based on the computed reactive power;

transmitting the reactive power compensation command to the at least one power generator for controlling operation of the at least one power generator; and

damping dynamic variations in voltage based on the variable power factor curve generated for the minimum loading condition, the maximum loading condition, and the mean loading condition.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein obtaining the information regarding the plurality of network parameters comprises obtaining electrical parameter information regarding components in a power network.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising adjusting the variable power factor curve upon detection of changes in load forecasting data, generation forecasting data, or both the load and generation forecasting data.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein generating the variable power factor curve comprises generating the variable power factor curve on a periodic basis and computing the reactive power compensation command on a continuous basis.

11. A solar power generation system, comprising:

at least one solar power generator for generating power;

at least one controller for:

generating a variable power factor curve for a minimum loading condition, a maximum loading condition, and a mean loading condition for the at least one solar power generator based on information regarding a plurality of network parameters;

computing a reactive power based on the variable power factor curve and a value of an active power output parameter of the at least one solar power generator;

generating a reactive power compensation command based on the computed reactive power;

transmitting the reactive power compensation command to the at least one solar power generator for controlling operation of the at least one solar power generator; and

damping dynamic variations in voltage based on the variable power factor curve generated for the minimum loading condition, the maximum loading condition, and the mean loading condition.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one controller comprises a central controller for generating the variable power factor curve.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the at least one controller further comprises a local controller for receiving the variable power factor curve, computing the reactive power based on the variable power factor curve and the active power output, generating the reactive power compensation command, and transmitting the reactive power compensation command.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of network parameters comprises electrical parameters of components in a power network.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of network parameters further comprises load and generation forecasting data.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the at least one controller is configured for adjusting the variable power factor curve upon detection of changes in load forecasting data, generation forecasting data, or both the load and generation forecasting data.

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one controller is configured for generating the variable power factor curve on a periodic basis and for computing the reactive power compensation command on a continuous basis.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the at least one controller is configured for adjusting the variable power factor curve in between periodic generations of the variable power factor curve in response to changes in the information regarding the network parameters.

19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the at least one controller is further configured to mitigate voltage variation of the at least one solar power generator based on the reactive power compensation command transmitted to the at least one solar power generator.