Life-Cycle Asset Management of Non-Switchable Line Reactors: Rapid Reserve Switching in Brazil’s Interconnected Power System

In Brazil’s Interconnected Power System, reactive-power compensation on the most heavily loaded 500 kV corridors relies on non-switchable line shunt reactors designed for continuous service. Since it cannot be remotely switched, any maintenance, failure, or unplanned shutdown forces operators to de-energize the circuit and dispatch crews to reconfigure hard-wired connections. This lengthy procedure can leave system-critical lines out of service for hours, eroding the grid’s security margin. This paper proposes automating spare-reactor transfer switching in the substations of Brazil’s largest transmission company to enhance operational flexibility and the safety of the system and personnel, while also safeguarding power-transfer capability. It is the result of a project to modernize its…