Roles of FACTS Devices in Modern Transmission: A Review of Challenges, Solutions, and Research Direction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26740/vubeta.v3i1.40130Keywords:
FACTS, STATCOM, UPFC, SVCAbstract
The increasing demand for efficient, stable, and flexible power delivery in modern transmission networks has led to the widespread integration of Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) devices. This review presents an extensive assessment of five major FACTS devices—SVC, STATCOM, TCSC, SSSC, and UPFC—by analyzing their operating principles, technical architectures, system integration strategies, and real-world applications. Through the synthesis of findings from scholarly sources published between 2019 and 2025, the paper identifies critical challenges such as high implementation costs, dynamic response limitations, and system coordination complexity. In addressing these challenges, the paper proposes hybrid deployment strategies and cross-device compensation approaches, demonstrating how the strengths of one device can mitigate the weaknesses of another. A unique contribution of this study is the structured presentation of thematic comparative tables that highlight similarities in components, applications, and limitations of FACTS technologies, as well as their suitability for various power system problems. The paper is structured as follows: Section 1 introduces the motivation and scope of FACTS in modern grids. Section 2 provides a methodological framework and detailed classification. Section 3 presents a comparative review enriched with original figures and schematic diagrams. Section 4 offers thematic discussion on applications, cross-device solutions, and innovation trends. Finally, Section 5 concludes the study by summarizing findings and emphasizing the value of strategic deployment in solving transmission challenges. By synthesizing operational insight with implementation strategies, this work fills a vital gap in comparative FACTS literature and offers a roadmap for future academic and industry research.
References
[1] R. A. Zeitawyeh and A. Faza, “Optimal Reactive Power Planning Using FACTS Devices for Voltage Stability Enhancement in Power Transmission Systems,” Energy Sci. Eng., 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.70064.
[2] D. Akhmetbaev and A. Akhmetbaev, “Application of static thyristor compensators to increase the reliability of distribution networks,” E3S Web of Conferences, pp. 1–6, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202458401015.
[3] M. Santhosh Raikar and G. D. Kamalapur, “" Transient stability Studies of series FACT Device: A Comparative Study of GCSC and TSSC", Int. J. Adv. Sci. Eng., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 2698–2708, 2022. https://doi.org/10.29294/ijase.9.2.2022.2698-2708.
[4] A. Sabo et al., “FACTS Devices as a Solution to Power Industries Problems: A Review,” Eur. J. Theor. Appl. Sci., vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 82–87, 2024. https://doi.org/10.59324/ejtas.2024.2(3).09.
[5] M. A. Al-Flaiyeh and N. H. Aziz, “Enhancement Stability of the Power System Using Static Synchronous compensators Connected in Different Formats,” Tikrit J. Eng. Sci., vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 1–12, 2021. https://doi.org/10.25130/tjes.28.1.01.
[6] C. O. Onah, “The Impact of Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) on Power System Performance: A Case Study of the Nigeria 330 kV Power System Network,” pp. 42–52, 2020. https://doi.org/10.9790/1813-0907014252.
[7] H. M. Daealhaq, Y. F. kfajey, and A. S. Tukkee, “Power Loss Reduction and Voltage Profile Improvement Using Optimal Placement of FACTS Devices,” IOP Conf. Ser. Mater. Sci. Eng., vol. 1067, no. 1, p. 012128, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899x/1067/1/012128.
[8] N. H. Khan et al., “A Novel Modified Lightning Attachment Procedure Optimization Technique for Optimal Allocation of the FACTS Devices in Power Systems,” IEEE Access, vol. 9, no. February, pp. 47976–47997, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3059201.
[9] M. K. Kar, S. Kanungo, F. Alsaif, and T. S. Ustun, “Optimal Placement of FACTS Devices Using Modified Whale Optimization Algorithm for Minimization of Transmission Losses,” IEEE Access, vol. PP, p. 1, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3458039.
[10] N. H. Khan et al., “Enhanced skill optimization algorithm: Solution to the stochastic reactive power dispatch framework with optimal inclusion of renewable resources using large-scale network,” IET Renew. Power Gener., vol. 18, no. November, pp. 4565–4583, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1049/rpg2.13167.
[11] M. L. Woldesemayat and A. T. Tantu, “Security Enhancement of Power Systems through Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC) under Contingency Condition: A Case Study and Analysis-EEP 400 kV System,” J. Electr. Comput. Eng., vol. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5897285.
[12] M. Chethan and R. Kuppan, “A review of FACTS device implementation in power systems using optimization techniques,” J. Eng. Appl. Sci., vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 1–36, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1186/s44147-023-00312-7.
[13] J. G. Kassakian, D. J. Perreault, G. C. Verghese, and M. F. Schlecht, Principles of Power Electronics. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009023894.
[14] J. Issa, “functions of facts devices with innovation technology in the electrical energy system,” J. Eng. Sci., vol. 7, no. 5, p. 55, 2024. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11127779
[15] F. Nepsha, V. Voronin, R. Belyaevsky, V. Efremenko, and K. Varnavskiy, “Application of FACTS Devices in Power Supply Systems of Coal Mines,” E3S Web of Conferences, 2020, pp. 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202017403026.
[16] W. Akhtar and D. Vishwakarma, “Transient Stability Improvement using FACTS Devices,” Int. J. Sci. Res., vol. 5, no. 5, pp. 1553–1556, 2016. https://doi.org/10.21275/v5i5.nov163763.
[17] M. D. Yaseen and S. K. Bali, “A UPFC based Optimal Power Flow of an Integrated Power System,” Int. J. Comput. Exp. Sci. Eng., vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 1501–1510, 2024. https://doi.org/10.22399/ijcesen.622.
[18] H. F. Carlak and E. Kayar, “Volt/VAr Regulation of the West Mediterranean Regional Electrical Grids Using SVC/STATCOM Devices With Neural Network Algorithms,” Wind Energy, vol. 28, no. 2, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/we.2976.
[19] Y. F. Hassan, M. K. Hadi, H. Daealhaq, A. A. R. Altahir, and M. L. Othman, “Best Positions for UPFC for Power Quality Enhancement under Various Contingencies,” AIP Conference Proceedings, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0205456.
[20] S. Yahia, R. Taha, and E. Ayachi, “Wind conversion systems effects on power grid and ability of thyristor controlled series capacitor and static synchronous series compensator devices for dynamic performance enhancing,” Meas. Control (United Kingdom), 2024. https://doi.org/10.1177/00202940241268714.
[21] D. Kalpaktsoglou, A. Tsiakalos, S. Pouros, and Roumeliotis, “Comparison between thyristor switched series capacitors and thyristor switched parallel capacitors for wind power systems-a simulation study,” WSEAS Trans. Power Syst., vol. 15, pp. 257–264, 2020. https://doi.org/10.37394/232016.2020.15.30.
[22] A. A. Zakri, T. R. Siregar, M. W. Mustafa, and W. Sunanda, “Modelling and Analysis using The Thyristors Controlled Series Compensators for Electrical Power Systems,” ELKOMIKA J. Tek. Energi Elektr. Tek. Telekomun. Tek. Elektron., vol. 11, no. 3, p. 691, 2023. https://doi.org/10.26760/elkomika.v11i3.691.
[23] S. Tiwari, A. Kumar, and S. Sengupta, “Voltage stability analysis with a novel hybrid controller using shunt and series combination of FACTS device,” 2018 3rd IEEE International Conference on Recent Trends in Electronics, Information and Communication Technology, RTEICT 2018 - Proceedings, IEEE, 2018, pp. 885–890. https://doi.org/10.1109/RTEICT42901.2018.9012250.
[24] M. Zadehbagheri, “Optimal Placement of FACTS Devices in Unbalanced Power Networks to Improvement of Voltage Stability and Loss Reduction,” Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, 2025, pp. 461–470. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-1965-8_43.
[25] M. L. Swarupa, K. Rayudu, C. S. Kumar, S. L. Gundebommu, and P. Kamalakar, “Machine Learning Techniques for Power Quality Enhancement of Power Distribution Systems with FACTS devices,” Eng. Technol. Appl. Sci. Res., vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 14939–14944, 2024. https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.7233.
[26] G. Pandu Ranga Reddy, G. Harshitha, P. Lakshmi Priya, J. V. N. S. Roshini, and M. Harshiya, “Enhancement of Power Quality in Grid-Connected Distribution Systems Employing AI-Based Controllers,” E3S Web of Conferences, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202454010015.
[27] A. Carbonara, S. Dambone Sessa, A. L’Abbate, F. Sanniti, and R. Chiumeo, “Comparison of Advanced Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System (FACTS) Devices with Conventional Technologies for Power System Stability Enhancement: An Updated Review †,” 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13214262.
[28] M. D. Yaseen and S. K. Bali, “A Multi Objective Solution to Integrated Power System in the Presence of Thyristor Controlled Series Compensator,” Contemp. Math., vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 2619–2631, 2024. https://doi.org/10.37256/cm.5320243978.
[29] D. Kalpaktsoglou, S. Pouros, and K. Kleidis, “Improving the efficiency of a wind turbine using Thyristor Switched Series Capacitors- A simulation study,” WSEAS Trans. Power Syst., vol. 14, pp. 33–38, 2019.
[30] A. M. Eltamaly, “Energy management using statcom for enhancing the electric,” pp. 423–434.
[31] B. Bahadori, A. Nahavandi, and M. Abasi, “Estimation of Positive-, Negative-, and Zero-Sequence Current and Voltage Phasors of UIPC VSCs for Short-Circuit Faults in Transmission Lines,” Eng. Reports, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 1–20, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/eng2.70006.
[32] C.- Rapporteur, “Doctorat LMD en Electrotechnique Intitulé de la Thèse : Contribution à l ’ optimisation de l ’ intégration des énergies Zahia DJEBLAHI Soutenue publiquement le Devant le jury composé de : LMD Doctorate in Electrotechnics Thesis Title : Contribution to the,” 2025.
[33] F. Relić, H. Glavaš, I. Petrović, and M. Stojkov, “Advances in FACTS Technology for Transient Stability in Power Systems,” vol. 3651, pp. 370–380, 2023. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202312.0781.v1
[34] S. Ajib, A. Alahmer, H. Rezk, and M. I. Alamayreh, “Editorial: Advancements and future directions in process design for sustainable energy systems,” 2024. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2024.1456450.
[35] M. Madhusudhan, H. Pradeepa, M. V. L. Kumar, and S. K. Bilgundi, “Multimachine Stability Enhancement Using Fuzzy-Logic Based PSS Tuning With Shunt FACTS Device,” Indones. J. Electr. Eng. Informatics, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 133–151, 2023. https://doi.org/10.52549/ijeei.v11i1.3931.
[36] Y. Al Mashhadany, A. K. Abbas, and S. Algburi, “Study and Analysis of Power System Stability Based on FACT Controller System,” Indones. J. Electr. Eng. Informatics, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 317–332, 2022. https://doi.org/10.52549/ijeei.v10i2.3630.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Sadiq Buba, Engr. Dr. Sabo Aliyu (Ph.D) MIEEE. PES. (Member, IEEE)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Abstract views: 10
,
PDF Downloads: 12
