PV-STATCOM: A New Smart Inverter for Voltage Control in Distribution Systems

This paper presents a novel smart inverter PV-STATCOM in which a photovoltaic inverter can be controlled as a dynamic reactive power compensator-STATCOM. The proposed PV-STATCOM can be utilized to provide voltage control during critical system needs on a 24/7 basis. In the night-time, the entire inverter capacity is utilized for STATCOM operation. During a critical system disturbance in the daytime, the smart inverter discontinues its real power generation function temporarily (for about a few seconds), and releases its entire inverter capacity for STATCOM operation. Once the disturbance is cleared and the need for grid voltage control is fulfilled, the solar farm returns to its predisturbance real power production. The low voltage ride through (LVRT) performance of the PV-STATCOM is demonstrated through both EMTDC/PSCAD simulations and laboratory implementation using dSPACE control. This proposed PV-STATCOM with a response time of 1-2 cycles can provide an equivalent service as an actual STATCOM in a given application and possibly seek revenues for providing this service.