Modeling & Simulation of DSTATCOM for Power Quality Improvement

–A Power quality problem is an occurrence manifested as a nonstandard voltage, current or frequency that results in a failure or a mis-operation of end user equipments. Utility distribution networks, sensitive industrial loads and critical commercial operations suffer from various types of outages and service interruptions which can cost significant financial losses. With the restructuring of power systems and with shifting trend towards distributed and dispersed generation, the issue of power quality is going to take newer dimensions. In developing countries like India, where the variation of power frequency and many such other determinants of power quality are themselves a serious question, it is very vital to take positive steps in this direction .This paper presents a study on the modeling of a STATCOM (Static Synchronous Compensator) used for reactive power compensation on a distribution network. This paper deals with the simulation of distribution static synchronous compensator (DSTATCOM) for improving power quality of a distribution system feeding linear as well as non-linear loads. Nowadays, there are an increasing number of non-linear loads which inject harmonics into the system. A three-phase insulated gate bipolar transistor(IGBT-) based current controlled voltage source inverter with a DC bus capacitor known as a DSTATCOM is used for power factor correction, harmonic compensation and for providing required reactive power to the load. A model of DSTATCOM connected to a power distribution system feeding linear and non-linear loads (diode bridge rectifier with R and R-C) is developed for predicting the behavior of system under transient conditions. Simulation is carried out in standard MATLAB environment using Simulink and power system blockset toolboxes. Finally the performance of DSTATCOM under various fault conditions is investigated. Keywords––D-STATCOM, Voltage Sags, Voltage Source Converter (VSC).