Thesis--Wisconsin. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 129-134).

The management of parallel and series resonance conditions is important for ensuring that harmonic levels are managed on utility networks, and that shunt compensators are able to operate without constraints for various network conditions (states). For these and similar problems, harmonic impedance assessment of the ac network is required for the design of ac filter or shunt capacitor bank installations. This is particularly important for large installations connected to HV or EHV systems, because resonances at these voltage levels tend to be highly un-damped resulting in potentially damaging voltage and current amplification. The objective of this dissertation was to develop and demonstrate a design methodology which makes use of network impedance assessment methods to provide robust harmonic integration of large shunt compensators into a transmission and HVDC systems. The design methodology has two aspects. The first part considers network modeling, evaluation of different models and simulation of harmonic impedance. In the second part, methods of analyzing and assessing the simulated harmonic impedance are developed. A detailed step-by-step approach was taken in the development of the design methodology. The methodology was documented as a guideline and accompanied by the development of an Excel tool that can be used to assess the simulated harmonic impedance. The Excel tool permits a systematic assessment of the simulated network impedance where shunt compensators are integrated into transmission systems. The tool also ensures that the design of transmission and HVDC ac shunt compensation is optimally robust in terms of harmonic resonances. The theoretical and computational review has been tested and demonstrated on the existing Eskom Transmission system through several case studies. The results have shown the merits of the design methodology. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.