Performance Analysis of Statcom for Renewable Energy Integration Under Dynamic Load Conditions
Nasir, Shahzad (2025)
2025
Sähkötekniikan DI-ohjelma - Master's Programme in Electrical Engineering
Informaatioteknologian ja viestinnän tiedekunta - Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2025-12-29
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-2025122912156
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-2025122912156
Tiivistelmä
There has been a rise in the use of inverter-based renewable energy sources which has introduced new challenges in distribution networks with regards to voltage stability and power quality. Rapid variations in production from renewable resources along with dynamic and nonlinear load behaviour causes voltage fluctuations, reduced stability margins, and weakened grid strength. Conventional reactive power compensation devices lack the ability to address this rise in production side and load side variable conditions. In this context, the static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) provides an effective solution based on its ability for reactive power support and fast dynamic response.
This thesis presents performance analysis of a STATCOM which is integrated with a solar-based distribution feeder under dynamic conditions. A MATLAB/Simulink model consists of a 25-kV distribution network, utilizing a 100-kW solar PV system, a ±50 kVAR STATCOM and time-varying RLC loads. The two control strategies, Proportional-Integral (PI) control and Dead-beat control, are employed and compared for PCC voltage regulation and reactive current injection. The system is tested by introducing multiple disturbance scenarios which includes rapid solar irradiance and temperature variations, sudden inductive load switching, and their combined effect simultaneously.
The performance of both control strategies is evaluated using metrics such as voltage deviation, settling time, reactive power compensation accuracy, DC-link voltage stability, and harmonic distortion. Simulation results show that both controllers can maintain PCC voltage effectively under varying PV output and dynamic load conditions. However, the Deadbeat controller exhibits faster transient response and shorter settling times which enables more rapid voltage recovery after disturbances, whereas the PI controller provides smoother responses with improved waveform quality. The STATCOM maintains effective voltage support even during large reactive power disturbances, which confirms its suitability for weak-grid and high-renewable-penetration environments.
Overall, the findings highlight the effectiveness of STATCOM-based reactive power compensation in enhancing voltage stability in renewable-dominated distribution networks. The comparative analysis provides practical insights into the trade-offs between PI and dead-beat control strategies and offers guidance for the design and tuning of STATCOM controllers in future low-inertia power systems.
This thesis presents performance analysis of a STATCOM which is integrated with a solar-based distribution feeder under dynamic conditions. A MATLAB/Simulink model consists of a 25-kV distribution network, utilizing a 100-kW solar PV system, a ±50 kVAR STATCOM and time-varying RLC loads. The two control strategies, Proportional-Integral (PI) control and Dead-beat control, are employed and compared for PCC voltage regulation and reactive current injection. The system is tested by introducing multiple disturbance scenarios which includes rapid solar irradiance and temperature variations, sudden inductive load switching, and their combined effect simultaneously.
The performance of both control strategies is evaluated using metrics such as voltage deviation, settling time, reactive power compensation accuracy, DC-link voltage stability, and harmonic distortion. Simulation results show that both controllers can maintain PCC voltage effectively under varying PV output and dynamic load conditions. However, the Deadbeat controller exhibits faster transient response and shorter settling times which enables more rapid voltage recovery after disturbances, whereas the PI controller provides smoother responses with improved waveform quality. The STATCOM maintains effective voltage support even during large reactive power disturbances, which confirms its suitability for weak-grid and high-renewable-penetration environments.
Overall, the findings highlight the effectiveness of STATCOM-based reactive power compensation in enhancing voltage stability in renewable-dominated distribution networks. The comparative analysis provides practical insights into the trade-offs between PI and dead-beat control strategies and offers guidance for the design and tuning of STATCOM controllers in future low-inertia power systems.