Power quality improvement of a proposed grid-connected hybrid system by load flow analysis using static var compensator

Renewable resources are most effective for sustainable development of society and economically efficient for small-scale power generation. However, grid integration is challenging because of the randomness of the source effects on power system parameters. This work proposes power quality enhancement by incorporating Static VAR Compensator (SVC) in a grid-integrated renewable hybrid power system. SVC is one of the shunt type Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) devices that is adopted in this system for the compensation of reactive power requirement. The proposed hybrid system for the Rohingya Refugee camp is energized by a wind and solar based sources. The objective is to enhance the overall bus voltage profile by minimizing both real and reactive power losses as well as boost the power transmission capability of the entire system. Different case studies have been considered by changing the source availability and generation supply for load flow analysis using ETAP software. Moreover, critical system parameters such as bus voltage, power transfer capacity, and power losses have been reported during the inactive time of one or both renewable sources. The results obtained without SVC have been compared against the ones with the presence of SVC. Our analysis reveals that, as a result of using SVC, the voltage profile improves by 2.9-3.3%, branch loss reduces by 2.1-2.4%, and power transfer capability enhances by 7.5-9 units.

Automated summary

This study proposes the use of Static VAR Compensator (SVC) to improve power quality in a grid-integrated renewable hybrid power system. Through load flow analysis using ETAP software, different scenarios were considered and the results show that the presence of SVC improves voltage profile and power transfer capability.