STUDY OF PV SOLAR FARM AS STATCOM FOR VOLTAGE REGULATION

Abstract

The integration of distributed generators (DGs) such as PV solar farms and wind farms in distribution networks is getting severely constrained due to problems of steady state voltage Rise, Voltage Flicker and Harmonic Injection etc. To mitigate these problems FACTS devices are used. One of these types of FACTS device is STATCOM which provides dynamic compensation of reactive power to improve transient performance. A solar farm contains inverter as an essential part of it to convert DC power generated from PV modules into AC power. This thesis presents a strategy of PV solar farm control as a dynamic reactive power compensator (STATCOM) when large wind farm is connected to the grid and also load changes significantly. Using this control the voltage at PCC is regulated. The studies also conducted for the effect of this PV STATCOM when integrated at different location. The performance of this control strategy also studied when a 3LG fault occurred on load bus. Commercial grade software DIgSILENT PowerFactory is used to evaluate the steady state voltage profile and transient study