EUROPEAN STEEL TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATION DAYS 2017 - ESTAD 2017

Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) used for steel production are characterized by high and strongly erratic consumption of reactive power, substantial harmonic generation, as well as asymmetrical loading of its three phases. As conventional generation are being replaced by renewables the power systems will become more sensitive to these disturbances. To compensate for these adverse effects Static var Compensators (SVC) are typically installed. This paper will present recent developments in this field in terms of a general overview of MMC (Modular Multilevel Converter) STATCOM as well performance measurements from a recent installation (2016). Production benefits with a STATCOM will also be discussed like shorter tap to tap times as well as reduced energy consumption.