Static Van Compensators (SVC) can improve the small signal stability of a power system if they are located appropriately. The wide spread criterion for SVC placement is an index based on controllability of the desired modes. This index needs the computation of one or a few eigenvectors of the system state matrix. Conventional methods require full eigenanalysis, which is very time-consu ming for large-scale power systems. In this paper a fast and efficient algorithm for solving eigenvectors corresponding to some dominant modes is proposed, which could reduce the total computation time of SVC placement considerably. Since the method evaluate only the desired eigenvectors, it might be used as a valuable aid for system planners to identify the the effective location for SVC easily. The proposed method is applied to New England Test System and its validity is demonstrated through digital simulations.

small-signal stability, Static Van Compensator, modal analysis, controllability