COMPENSATION OF VOLTAGES ASYMMETRY IN

POWER SYSTEMS BY STATCOM

Nikolay Djagarov
Technical University
Power Delivery and
Electrical Equipment
Department, Varna,
Bulgaria
jagarov@ieee.bg


Zhivko Grozdev
Technical University
Power Delivery and
Electrical Equipment
Department Varna,
Bulgaria
grozdew@yahoo.com


Milen Bonev
Technical University
Power Delivery and
Electrical Equipment
Department, Varna,
Bulgaria
bonevi_km@tu-varna.bg


Plamen Parushev
Technical University
Power Delivery and
Electrical Equipment
Department Varna,
Bulgaria
pvparushev@abv.bg


Abstract In the present article is presented the advanced
control of static compensator (STATCOM) for compensation of
voltage asymmetry in power system, which is not based on
measurement the current of non symmetrical load. In this way is
not necessary to know the sources of asymmetry and their
currents. In suggested control as input signals are using the
deviations of each phase voltage from nominal value. In this way
in the output of compensator is obtained unsymmetrical voltage
that leads to generation/absorption of unsymmetrical phase
currents. Thereby the voltage in the node of connection became
symmetric. The computer model of power system consisting
symmetrical and non symmetrical loads and STATCOM was
created with which is examined different working modes of
suggested control of compensator. The results from investigations
show the effectiveness of suggested advanced control.
Keywords-component; STATCOM, FACTS, voltage assymetry,
I. INTRODUCTION
Power system voltages at the distribution end and the point
of utilization can be imbalanced for several reasons. The
nature of the imbalance includes unequal voltage magnitudes
at the fundamental system frequency, fundamental phase angle
deviation. A major cause of voltage imbalance is the uneven
distribution of single-phase loads, which can be continuously
changing across a three-phase power system. Single-phase
traction and electric transit and railroad systems can also cause
considerable imbalance on the utility three-phase system.
Additional causes of power system voltage imbalance can be
asymmetrical transformer winding impedances, open wye and
open delta transformer banks, asymmetrical transmission
impedances possibly caused by incomplete transposition of
transmission lines, and blown fuses on three-phase capacitor
banks [1].
Imbalanced mains currents cause asymmetric voltage drops
across the network impedance and result in asymmetric
voltages in the network. Asymmetries are responsible for
increase of losses in the ac power lines, transformers and
rotating machines, cause oscillatory torque responsible for
mechanical stress, cause malfunctions in sensitive equipment.
For mitigation imbalance on power systems can be used
both parallel and series system devices. In practice are using
different names for them - active power filter [2], power line
conditioners [3], series compensator [4], dynamic voltage
restorer [5], FACTS (shunt, series, combined) [6]. These
system devices are used not only for mitigation imbalance, but
for improving voltage quality in network limitation of
harmonics and compensation of reactive power.
Different control algorithms have been used to control the
output voltage of the series devices, which uses an injection
transformer to insert the voltage into the grid. Traditional
concepts related to phasors of the sequence components [4,7]
and techniques based on the rotating dq-coordinate systems
[4] have been proposed. The first approach involves the
calculation of the fundamental component values and thus
only fundamental voltage components can be controlled. The
second method allows handling voltage harmonics and
transient conditions properly, but in [8] only positive sequence
components are taken into account. In [9] the modified double
vector control algorithm is proposed to be applied to the series
device in case of imbalanced voltage dips and/or imbalanced
loads.
Active power line conditioner is used for load
compensation as its filtering characteristic is not affected by
system parameters. Various configurations and control
strategies have been researched during the last decades. Shunt
compensators are more widely used and they work as a
controlled current source and inject required compensation
current [6]. To obtain efficient performance, it is important to
choose proper reference generation algorithm and an
appropriate current or voltage control strategy.
In parallel system devices usually for reference generation
usually is used instantaneous power theory [10]. At this
method is calculating current/power of non symmetrical load
with negative sequence which is using like reference for
control.
In the article is suggested using of static synchronous
compensator (STATCOM) for compensation of voltage
asymmetry in power system, which is not based on
measurement the current of non symmetrical load. In this way
This article is published by help of project BG051PO001/3.3-05-001Science
and Business sponsored by operative program Development of Human
Resources from European Social Fund
is not necessary to know the sources of asymmetry and their
currents. The conventional STATCOM controls output voltage
vector at magnitude and phase like controlling reactive current
which is generating or absorbing in power system. In
suggested control as input signals are using the deviations of
each phase voltage from nominal value. In this way in the
output of compensator is obtained unsymmetrical voltage that
leads to generation/absorption of unsymmetrical phase
currents. Thereby the voltages in the node of connection
became symmetric.
II. STUDIED POWER SYSTEM
The output voltage of the STATCOM is generated by a dc
to ac inverter operated from an energy storage capacitor. With
a charged dc capacitor, the inverter can produce a set of three
PWM voltage waveforms of a given frequency by connecting
the dc capacitor sequentially to the three output terminals via
the appropriate inverter switches. The current rating of IGBT
device and the diode is same. The inverter supplies only
reactive power and the real input power that needed by the dc
source is very small to meet only its losses. Since reactive
power at zero frequency by definition is zero, the input source
(capacitor) plays no part in the reactive power generation. The
inverter simply interconnects the three output terminals in
such a way that the reactive output currents can flow freely
among them. If one views this from the terminals of the ac
system, one can say that the inverter establishes a circulating
reactive power exchange among the phases.
For study of suggested control of STATCOM as
asymmetry compensator are considered modes of power
system shown on fig.1. The studied power system is simulated
by node supplied from two power systems with correspond
power 8500MVA and 9000MVA, symmetrical static
active/inductive load and unsymmetrical load with variable
parameters (for study of different level of asymmetry). In the
common node is connected 100-Mvar STATCOM which
regulates voltage on a three-bus 500-kV system. The
suggested STATCOM represents IGBT-based multi-level
voltage source converter (VSC) connected in parallel with
power system by coupling transformers. The four sets of
three-phase voltages obtained at the output of the four three-
level inverters are applied to the secondary windings of four
phase-shifting transformers (with phase shifting 7,5). In
this way of connecting of power transformers are neutralized
the odd harmonics up to 45
th
harmonic with exception of 23
rd

and 25
th
(which is ideal for balancing of power system). By
regulating of amplitude and phase of the generated voltage
from compensator can be regulated the active and reactive
power generated/absorbed to/from power system. Also by
adjusting the output voltage amplitude of the compensator can
be regulated the reactive power flow and voltage of the line.
On the other hand the DC-voltage of capacitors controls the
generated voltage of compensator output. In this way for
change of reactive power flow of STATCOM the controller of
the compensator first must temporary absorb reactive power
from power system for charge the power capacitors. This
active power flow is controlled by managing of firing angle of
IGBT devices [11].
III. MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF SYSTEM
The whole model of power system is obtained by method
suggested in [12].

1. Model of STATCOM
The STATCOM model described in synchronous rotating
coordinate system q,0 d, is used, which represent compensator
as current source in relation to output current vector.
Fig.1. Diagram of the studied power system.
STATCOM
POWER GRID
Transmission
Line 1
Static Symmetrical
Load




POWER GRID
Transmission
Line 2
Static Unsymmetrical
Load
I
L1
I
L2

I
S
I
U

I
COM

U
bus1
U
bus2
U
bus3
bus3 COM COM bus3 COM COM COM COM
q
d
dc
q
d
q
d
. . .
dt
d
u
u
.
b
b
u
i
i
.
a a a
a a a
i
i
dt
d
U B H U B I A I + = + = =
=
(

+
(
(
(

=
(

22
11
23 22 21
13 12 11
0
0
(1)
where the elements of matrix A -
ij
a are function of
parameters of transformers, condensers, converter blocks
(VSC) together with their control and angle rotating speed of
coordinate system q,0 d, ; the elements of matrix B -
ij
b are
function of parameters of transformers;
d
i ,
q
i - projections of
output current of compensator on axes q , d ;
d
u ,
q
u -
projections of output voltage vector of compensator on axes
q , d ;
The four bridge converters of STATCOM are modeled
using equivalent diagram of switching devices IGBT,
describing nonlinear characteristics and transient processes at
their switching [13].
2. Model of Static Symmetrical Load
bus3 S S bus3 S S S S
q
d
q
d
q
d
. + = . + . =
dt
d
u
u
.
b
b
i
i
.
a a
a a
i
i
dt
d
U B H U B I A I =
=
(

+
(

=
(

22
11
22 21
12 11
0
0
(2)
where:
ij
a and
ij
b are function of active and inductive
resistance of symmetrical load and angle speed of rotating
coordinate system q,0 d, .
3 Model of Static Unsymmetrical Load
bus3 U U bus3 U U U U
q
d
q
d
q
d
. + = . + . =
dt
d
u
u
.
b
b
i
i
.
a a
a a
i
i
dt
d
U B H U B I A I =
=
(

+
(

=
(

22
11
22 21
12 11
0
0
(3)
where:
ij
a and
ij
b are function of active and inductive
resistance of unsymmetrical load and angle speed of rotating
coordinate system q,0 d, .
4. Model of Transmission Line 1 and 2
( )
bus3 BLj Lj bus3 j Lj Lj Lj Lj
bus , q
bus , d
qj
dj
q
d
q
d
. + = - . + . =
dt
d
u
u
u
u
.
b b
b b
i
i
.
a a
a a
i
i
dt
d
U B H U U B I A I =
=

+
(

=
(

3
3
22 21
12 11
22 21
12 11
(4)
where: 2 1, j = - number of lines;
ij
a and
ij
b are function of
active and inductive resistance of transmission line and angle
speed of rotating coordinate system q,0 d, ;
j
U - voltage
vector of power grid j ;
j Lj Lj Lj Lj
. + . U B I A H = .
As it can be seen from equations (1)(4), in right part of
equations of power system is unknown vector of common
connection node -
bus3
U . This unknown vector will be
calculated by first Kirchhoff law in differential form:
0
dt
d
dt
d
dt
d
dt
d
dt
d
U S COM L2 L1
= + I I I I I (5)
Replacing the current derivatives by right part of equations
(1)(4), will obtain
0 =
+
bus3 U U bus3 S S bus3 COM COM
bus3 BL2 L2 bus3 BL1 L1
. + . + . +
. + . +
U B H U B H U B H
U B H U B H

(6)
Hence is create algebraic system for calculation of node
voltage -
bus3
U
U S COM BL2 BL1
L2 L1 U S COM
bus3
B B B B B
H H H H H
U
+ + + +
+ +
= (7)
In this way is obtained non iterative algorithm for
calculation of node voltage -
bus3
U .
IV. STATCOM CONTROL
The structure of the STATCOM control is shown in Fig.2.
The each phase voltage of connection node
bus3
U

and the
current of compensator I
COM
are measured. The inner current
control loop forces the voltage source converter to behave as a
controlled current source. For connection of STATCOM to
present node is used coupling transformer Tr. The node
voltage is controlled by three independent voltage regulators
which gives the reference signal for the q-current controllers.
To regulate the DC voltage of the outer control loop to its
constant value a PI controller is used. To design the PI
controller parameters, the inner control loop is modeled as a
UDC1
ISqref
PI-phase R
PI-phase S
PI-phase T
abc/dq
IRqref
ITqref
Iq ICOM
URB3
USB3
UTB3
Voltage
regulator
UDC2
PI-phase R
PI-phase S
PI-phase T
Current
regulator
Firing
pulses RST
corr
t
Busses 3
PWM
STATCOM
DC balance
control
Fig.2. Block diagram of STATCOM control
Tr
first order delay element and the dynamics of the DC link are
taken into account. The controller is tuned with the
symmetrical optimum [14]. The inner current control is
performed with PI-controllers in rotating dq-axes coordinates.
Grid synchronization is done with a PLL algorithm.

V. SIMULATION STUDY
To prove of rightness and effectiveness suggested
mathematical model and control of STATCOM a computer
model was created in MATLAB space. Different disturbances
causing transient processes have been simulated. In the next
figures are shown some basic performances of compensator
and power system. From time t=1,0sec to t=2,0sec. is
connected powerful nonsymmetrical load on buses 3.
Parameters of nonsymmetrical load are: phase R P=380MV
and Q-10MVAr; phase S P=120MW, Q=50MVAr, phase T
P=10MW, Q=200VAr. The following figures show some
typical features of the investigated power system.
1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
x 10
4
time [sec]
U
DC
[V]
Fig.5. Capacitor DC voltage
1 1.5 2 2.5 3
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
time [sec]

RST
[deg]
Fig.6. Firing angle for IGBT
1 1.5 2 2.5 3
0
5
10
15
20
x 10
-3
time [sec]
U
negative
[p.u.]
Fig.7. Voltage of negative sequence
0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8
0.994
0.995
0.996
0.997
0.998
0.999
1
1.001
1.002
1.003
1.004
time [sec]
U
bus3
[p.u.]
Fig.3. Magnitude and reference voltage in buses 3
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
time [sec]
Q
STATCOM
[MVAr]
Fig.4. Reactive power of STATCOM




VI. CONCLUSION
It is proposed new control of STATCOM suppress the
asymmetry in power systems. As input signals for controller is
used the deviations of each phase voltage from nominal value.
Hence it is not necessary measurement the current of non
symmetrical load and calculates its components. The vector of
output voltage of compensator is non symmetrical which
brings to generation/absorption of non symmetrical current
into/for system. This will compensate the voltage asymmetry
into connection node of compensator.
Conducted simulation studies show the effectiveness of
the proposed advanced control. At disturbances in the power
system from proposed diagrams is possible to observe: very
U [p.u.]
Fig.11. STATCOM voltages U

and U

1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
time [sec]
I
STATCOM
[p.u.]
Fig.8. STATCOM currents
1.85 1.855 1.86 1.865 1.87 1.875 1.88 1.885 1.89 1.895 1.9
-1
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
time [sec]
Fig.10. Uncompensated system voltages
U
RST
[p.u.]
1.85 1.855 1.86 1.865 1.87 1.875 1.88 1.885 1.89 1.895 1.9
-1
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
time [sec]
Fig.9. Compensated system voltages
U
RST
[p.u.]
1,5195 1,52 1,5205 1,521 1,5215 1,522 1,52251,5195 1,52
0.97
0.975
0.98
0.985
0.99
0.995
1
time [sec]
U
Rbus3
[p.u.]
Fig.12. Phase voltage on buses 3
With suggested control
With conventional control
Without STATCOM
well voltage compensation; reduction the transition time;
reduction the oscillation of transition process; limitation the
deviations of the parameters of the system; facilitation the
work of STATCOM.

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Authors:
Nikolay Filev Djagarov,
Technical University, 9010 Varna, Studentska1, Power
Delivery and Electrical Equipment Department, Bulgaria, tel:
+35952383265; e-mail: jagarov@ieee.bg

Zhivko Genchev Grozdev,
Technical University, 9010 Varna, Studentska1, Power
Delivery and Electrical Equipment Department, Bulgaria, tel:
+35952383345; e-mail: grozdew@yahoo.com

Milen Bonev Bonev,
Technical University, 9010 Varna, Studentska1, Power
Delivery and Electrical Equipment Department, Bulgaria, tel:
+35952383345; e-mail: bonevi_km@tu-varna.bg

Plamen Velikov Parushev,
Technical University, 9010 Varna, Studentska1, Power
Delivery and Electrical Equipment Department, Bulgaria, tel:
+35952383573; e-mail: pvparushev@abv.bg