Analysis of the Capacitor-Less D-STATCOM for Voltage Profile Improvement in Distribution Network With High PV Penetration

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) have disrupted the traditional electrical system. Grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems deliver electric energy closer to the consumer, shifting the paradigm from centralized to distributed generation. The impact of the stochastic PV output power gives rise to potentially rapid voltage fluctuations. Reactive power compensation is needed to regulate the voltage profile to meet the relevant standards. Traditional approaches like switched capacitors cannot provide reactive power that is continuously adjustable at short time scales. This paper examines an alternative distribution static synchronous compensator (D-STATCOM) based on a matrix converter (MC) for the low voltage distribution networks with high PV penetration. This technology can extend service life by using inductors for energy storage. The converter being studied provides ancillary services, including reactive power support; the impact on reliability, operational constraints, and electrical behavior is demonstrated. The contribution of this paper is a detailed analysis and impact study of the capacitor-less D-STATCOM in high PV penetration distribution networks. The significance of this paper is that it studies the behavior of the power electronics converter and its interaction with the power systems without assuming or neglecting details of either. Compensation effects and reliability comparisons between the proposed capacitorless D-STATCOM and the incumbent D-STATCOM technology are also studied in this paper.