Distributed Generation Based Virtual STATCOM Configuration and Control Method

Recently, because of the increase in the number of connections to Distributed Generation (DG), the problem of lowering voltage stability in the distribution system has become an issue. Reactive power compensators, such as Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOM), may be used to solve the problem of voltage stability degradation. However, because of the complexity of the distribution system, it is very difficult to select the installation location for STATCOM. Furthermore, when installed in the wrong location, economical efficiency and availability problems may occur. This paper proposes a Virtual STATCOM Configuration and Control method that would operate like a single STATCOM based on multiple DGs connected to the system. The proposed Virtual STATCOM has the merit of being economical by using existing facilities without adding new power facilities, and it solves the problem of the difficulty of selecting the installation location because of the complexity of the distribution system. In addition, while the conventional STATCOM uses an independent control method in consideration of the power quality of the access point, the Virtual STATCOM performs the Point of Common Coupling (PCC) power quality compensation using the integrated control of multiple DGs connected to the system. In the proposed method, the Virtual STATCOM integrated control algorithm is configured by adopting linear programming, and the compensation is performed while considering the distance between DG and PCC, the inverter's rated capacity, and the power generation. The performance of the Virtual STATCOM power quality compensation was verified using MATLAB/SIMULINK and Real Time Simulator (OPAL-RT).