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STATCOM

STATCOM is a static synchronous compensator that uses voltage source converters to provide fast-acting reactive power support on transmission systems. It has advantages over synchronous condensers like better dynamics, lower cost, and lower maintenance. STATCOMs can provide independent reactive power based on voltage setpoints, maintaining full capability even during contingencies. The next development is combining STATCOMs with energy storage to improve power quality and network operation through both reactive and active power control.

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Venkatesh
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126 views5 pages

STATCOM

STATCOM is a static synchronous compensator that uses voltage source converters to provide fast-acting reactive power support on transmission systems. It has advantages over synchronous condensers like better dynamics, lower cost, and lower maintenance. STATCOMs can provide independent reactive power based on voltage setpoints, maintaining full capability even during contingencies. The next development is combining STATCOMs with energy storage to improve power quality and network operation through both reactive and active power control.

Uploaded by

Venkatesh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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STATCOM:

In 1999 the first SVC with Voltage Source Converter called STATCOM (STATic
COMpensator) went into operation. The STATCOM has a characteristic similar to the synchronous
condenser, but as an electronic device it has no inertia and is superior to the synchronous condenser in
several ways, such as better dynamics, a lower investment cost and lower operating and maintenance
costs. A STATCOM is build with Thyristors with turn-off capability like GTO or today IGCT or with
more and more IGBTs. The static line between the current limitations has a certain steepness
determining the control characteristic for the voltage.

The advantage of a STATCOM is that the reactive power provision is independent from the
actual voltage on the connection point. This can be seen in the diagram for the maximum currents
being independent of the voltage in comparison to the SVC. This means, that even during most severe
contingencies, the STATCOM keeps its full capability.

In the distributed energy sector the usage of Voltage Source Converters for grid
interconnection is common practice today. The next step in STATCOM development is the
combination with energy storages on the DC-side. The performance for power quality and balanced
network operation can be improved much more with the combination of active and reactive power.
STATCOM structure and voltage / current characteristic

STATCOMs are based on Voltage Sourced Converter (VSC) topology and utilize either Gate-
Turn-off Thyristors (GTO) or Isolated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT) devices. The STATCOM is a
very fast acting, electronic equivalent of a synchronous condenser. If the STATCOM voltage, Vs,
(which is proportional to the dc bus voltage Vc) is larger than bus voltage, Es, then leading or
capacitive VARS are produced. If Vs is smaller then Es then lagging or inductive VARS are
produced.

6 Pulses STATCOM
The three phases STATCOM makes use of the fact that on a three phase, fundamental
frequency, steady state basis, and the instantaneous power entering a purely reactive device must be
zero. The reactive power in each phase is supplied by circulating the instantaneous real power
between the phases. This is achieved by firing the GTO/diode switches in a manner that maintains the
phase difference between the ac bus voltage ES and the STATCOM generated voltage VS. Ideally it
is possible to construct a device based on circulating instantaneous power which has no energy
storage device (ie no dc capacitor).

A practical STATCOM requires some amount of energy storage to accommodate harmonic


power and ac system unbalances, when the instantaneous real power is non-zero. The maximum
energy storage required for the STATCOM is much less than for a TCR/TSC type of SVC
compensator of comparable rating.

STATCOM Equivalent Circuit

Several different control techniques can be used for the firing control of the STATCOM.
Fundamental switching of the GTO/diode once per cycle can be used. This approach will minimize
switching losses, but will generally utilize more complex transformer topologies. As an alternative,
Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) techniques, which turn on and off the GTO or IGBT switch more
than once per cycle, can be used. This approach allows for simpler transformer topologies at the
expense of higher switching losses.
The 6 Pulse STATCOM using fundamental switching will of course produce the 6 N 1
harmonics. There are a variety of methods to decrease the harmonics. These methods include the basic
12 pulse configuration with parallel star / delta transformer connections, a complete elimination of 5th
and 7th harmonic current using series connection of star/star and star/delta transformers and a quasi
12 pulse method with a single star-star transformer, and two secondary windings, using control of
firing angle to produce a 30 phase shift between the two 6 pulse bridges. This method can be
extended to produce a 24 pulse and a 48 pulse STATCOM, thus eliminating harmonics even further.
Another possible approach for harmonic cancellation is a multi-level configuration which allows for
more than one switching element per level and therefore more than one switching in each bridge arm.
The ac voltage derived has a staircase effect, dependent on the number of levels. This staircase
voltage can be controlled to eliminate harmonics.

Substation with a STATCOM

Series Devices:
Series devices have been further developed from fixed or mechanically switched
compensations to the Thyristor Controlled Series Compensation (TCSC) or even Voltage Source
Converter based devices.

The main applications are:

• Reduction of series voltage decline in magnitude and angle over a power line,

• Reduction of voltage fluctuations within defined limits during changing power transmissions,

• Improvement of system damping resp. damping of oscillations,

• Limitation of short circuit currents in networks or substations,

• Avoidance of loop flows resp. power flow adjustments.

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