Controller 122 further regulates gas tube switching network 126 to maintain the desired balance of real power, P, and reactive power, Q, in real time. Gas tube switching network 126 is fully controllable, facilitating gate-controlled turn-on and turn-off capability. Controller 122 operates individual gas tube switches of gas tube switching network 126 at switching frequencies in excess of 200 Hertz. In certain embodiments, controller 122 operates gas tube switching network 126 at 2000 Hertz with low switching losses. Gas tube switching network 126 is further operable with low conduction losses and bi-directional voltage and current blocking. Gas tube switching network 126 is further configured to ride out transient fault current surges.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another exemplary FACTS 200. FACTS 200 includes transmission lines 102, 104, and 106, load 108, power sources 110, 112, and 114, and var compensator 128. In FACTS 200, var compensator 128 includes reactive impedance 124 and gas tube switching network 126.