Power Quality Improvement in Distribution
System Using DSTATCOM
K.Sandhya1, Dr.A.Jaya Laxmi2, Dr. M.P.Soni 3.
1&3
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, VNRVJIET, Bachupally, Hyderabad, INDIA
2
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, College Of Engineering, JNTU Hyderabad, INDIA
Abstract— This paper presents the influence of Distribution
Static Synchronous Compensator (DSTATCOM) on Power
Quality issues like voltage sag and swell. Voltage sag and swell
disturbances are the most frequently occurring power quality
problems in the distribution systems. Custom Power Devices
DSTATCOM and Dynamic voltage restorer (DVR) are normally
employed as a solution of mitigation of voltage sag and swell.
This paper presents modelling and analysis of DSTATCOM
performance in distribution systems. The device DSTATCOM is
simulated using Power System Block set in
MATLAB/SIMULINK. Simulation results were presented to
illustrate and understand the performances of DSTATCOM
under voltage sag / swell conditions. In this controller is directly
controlled i.e. both the angular position and the magnitude of the
output voltage are controlled by appropriate on/off signals.
Keywords— DSTATCOM, DVR, Voltage Sag, Voltage Swell,
Custom Power Devices, Power Quality.
I. INTRODUCTION
Quality power supply is essential for proper operation of
industrial processes which contain critical and sensitive loads.
For Power Quality improvement, the developments of power
electronics devices such as FACTS and Custom Power
Devices have introduced an emerging branch of technology
providing the power system with versatile new control
capabilities. The recent growth in the use of non-linear loads
caused many Power Quality Problems. In general, FACTS
devices are used in transmission control where as Custom
Power Devices are used for distribution control. As FACTS
equipment is more common on transmission network, its
derivatives (e.g. DSTATCOM and DVR) on the distribution
network are gaining importance. Voltage sags and swells in
the medium and low voltage grid are considered to be the
most frequent type of Power Quality problems. Their impact
on sensitive loads is severe. Different solutions have been
developed to protect sensitive loads against such disturbances.
Among these, DSATCOM and DVR are most effective
devices. Both of them are based on VSC principle. A DVR
injects a voltage in series with the system voltage and
DSTATCOM injects a current into the system to correct the
voltage sag and swell. In this paper the Performance of
DSTATCOM is analysed.
II. CUSTOM POWER DEVICES
The new technology known as Custom Power, using power
electronics-based concepts have been developed to provide
protection from power quality problems in distribution
systems [1], [2]. FACTS use power electronic devices and
methods to control the high-voltage side of the network for
improving the power flow. Custom Power is for low-voltage
distribution, and improving the poor power quality and
reliability. At present, a wide range of flexible controllers,
which capitalize on newly available power electronics
components, are emerging for custom power applications [3],
[4]. Some of these Custom Power Devices are: Series-
connected compensator like DSTATCOM (Distribution Static
Compensator), DVR (Dynamic Voltage Restorer), Shunt-
connected compensator like Series and shunt compensator like
UPQC (Unified Power Quality Conditioner) and SSTS (Solid
State Transfer Switch).
The DSTATCOM is based on the VSC principle can deal
with voltage sags and swells which are considered to have a
severe impact on manufacturing places such as
semiconductors and plastic products, food processing places
and paper mills.
III. DISTRIBUTION STATIC SYNCHRONOUS
COMPENSATOR (DSTATCOM)
A Distribution Static Synchronous Compensator
(DSTATCOM), which is schematically depicted in Fig.1,
consists of a voltage source converter connected in shunt to
distribution network through a coupling transformer [1] & [2].
The DSTATCOM has emerged as a promising device to
provide not only for voltage sag/swell mitigation but a host of
other power quality solutions such as voltage stabilization,
flicker suppression, power factor correction and harmonic
control [6]. It can exchange reactive power with the
distribution system by varying the amplitude and phase angle
of an internal voltage source with respect to the line terminal
voltage, resulting in controlled current flow through the
coupling transformer. It can effectively replace conventional
voltage and VAR control elements, load tap changing
transformers, voltage regulators and switched capacitors used
in distribution systems.
Fig.1: Structure of DSTATCOM
A. Basic Principle of DSTATCOM
Fig.2: Basic control model of DSTATCOM
The basic control scheme of DSTATCOM is shown in
Fig.2. The reactive current drawn by compensator is given by
V − Vo
I = -----(1)
X
Where V = System voltage
Vo = Output voltage of IGBT-based
Inverter
X = Total circuit reactance.
If Vo is equal to V, then no reactive power is delivered to
the system. If Vo is greater than V, a leading reactive power
flows in capacitive mode of DSTATCOM. If Vo is lower than
V, a lagging reactive power flows in inductive mode of
DSTATCOM. The quantity of the reactive power flow is
proportional to the difference V and Vo.
The DSTTATCOM comprises a large number of gate-
controlled semiconductor power switches. The gating
commands for these devices are generated by internal
converter control in response to the demand for reactive
power reference signal.
B. Voltage Sourced Converter
Converters presently employed in FACTS controllers are
the Voltage Sourced Converters (VSC) type rather than
Current Sourced type converters. The most dominant
converters needed in FACTS controllers are the voltage
sourced converters. Such Converters are based on devices
with gate turn-off capability. A voltage-source converter is a
power electronic device, which can generate a sinusoidal
voltage with any magnitude, frequency and phase angle. In
distribution voltage level, usually, the employed switching
element is the Integrated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT), due
to its lower switching losses and reduced size. As the
converter rating employed in these devices is relatively low,
hence the output voltage control can be executed through
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) switching pattern. In this
work converter is directly controlled (i.e., both the angular
position and the magnitude of the output voltage are
controllable by appropriate on/off signals)[5].The VSC
converts the dc voltage across the storage device into a set of
three-phase ac output voltages. These voltages are in phase
and coupled with the ac system through the reactance of
coupling transformer.
C. Direct Control Scheme
In this scheme, the switching elements-IGBTs/diodes, the
PWM signal generator and dc capacitor are explicitly
represented. Here, a DVR model is implemented using
MATLAB Sim Power Systems. It consists of six pulse voltage
source converter using IGBTs/diodes, a dc capacitor, PWM
signal generator, a passive filter to eliminate harmonic
components and a voltage controller. Here converter is
directly controlled i.e., both the angular position and the
magnitude of the output voltage are controllable by
appropriate on/off signals [5].
Fig.3: Direct control DSTATCOM
 The direct control DVR model is shown in fig. 3 and the TABLE. 1
direct control analysed in this paper is exhibited in fig.4,
which employs the dqo rotating reference frame, a PLL and LOAD DISCRIPTION
four proportional-integral (PI) regulators. In this, VABC are the
three-phase terminal voltages, IABC are the three-phase current Load at Bus 2 P(MW) Q(MVAR)
injected by the custom power device into the network, VRMS is Inductive load 10 22
the Root Mean Square (RMS) terminal voltage, Vdc is the DC Capacitive load 10 18
voltage measured in capacitor. Finally V*abc re the three-phase Single Phase Via a fault resistance
voltages desired at the converter output. fault of 0.1Ω

A. Voltage Sag Mitigation

The sequence of events simulated is explained as follows.

Initially, there is no load connected at bus 2. Then an
inductive load is connected during the period t = 50 – 200 ms.
As there is no load at bus2 initially the voltage was 1.0 p.u.
until inductive load is connected at t=50ms, then it is
decreased to 0.8 p.u. during the period t = 50 – 200 ms and
again comes to 1.0 p.u. as the load is removed at 200ms. For
the events described above, in the absence of the
DSTATCOM the terminal voltage varies considerably. The
simulations are shown in fig.7 (a) and fig.7 (b). Then
DSTATCOM is connected as shown in fig6. The simulation
Fig .4: Direct Control results are shown in fig.8 (a) and 8(b), where the very
effective voltage regulation provided by the DSTATCOM can
IV. TEST SYSTEM be clearly appreciated. The terminal voltage in increased to
0.99p.u. in the presence of DSTATCOM.

Fig .5: Test system

Single line diagram of the test system without DSTATCOM

is shown in Fig.5. Such system is composed of 25-KV, 100 Fig .7(a): Voltage at bus2 without DSTATCOM
MVA, 50Hz substation. It is represented by Thevenin (20% Voltage Sag)
equivalent and is feeding variable load at bus 2. Single line
diagram of the test system with DSTATCOM at bus2 is
shown in Fig.6.

Fig .7(b): RMS value of voltage at bus2 without DSTATCOM.

(20% Voltage Sag)
Fig .6: Test system with DSTATCOM
 For the event described above now DSTATCOM is
connected as in fig.6 and simulations results are as shown in
fig.9 (a) and fig.9 (b) where the terminal voltage is improved
from 1.2 p.u. to 1.0 p.u. in the presence of DSTATCOM.

Fig .8(a): Voltage at bus2 with DSTATCOM. (20% sag mitigation)

Fig .9(a): Voltage at bus2 without DSTATCOM

(20% Voltage Swell mitigation)

Fig .8(b): RMS value of voltage at bus2 with DSTATCOM.

(20% sag mitigation)

B.Voltage Swell Mitigation

For the test system shown in Fig.5, in this event of

simulation a capacitive load is connected at bus2 during the
period t = 50 – 100 ms. The terminal voltage varies from
1.0p.u to 1.2 p.u. due to the introduction of capacitive load.
The simulation results are shown in fig.9 (a) and fig.9 (b).
Fig .7(b): RMS value of voltage at bus2 without DSTATCOM.
(20% Voltage Swell mitigation)

C. Results with single line to ground fault

A single line to ground fault is applied at bus 2 without

load, via a fault resistance of 0.1Ω, during the period 50-200
ms. The voltage sag at bus2 is 40%. The voltage without
DSTATCOM during the single line to ground fault is as
shown in Fig.12 (a) and the RMS value of voltage with fault is
Fig 9(a): Voltage at bus2 without DSTATCOM shown in Fig.12 (b).
(20% Voltage Swell)

Fig .7(b): RMS value of voltage at bus2 without DSTATCOM.

(20% Voltage Swell)

Fig.12 (a): Voltage without DSTATCOM during fault

 V. CONCLUSIONS

This paper has presented the power quality problems such

Fig.12 (b): RMS value Voltage without DSTATCOM during fault.
Similarly a new set of simulations was carried out with
single line to ground fault with the fault resistance 0.1Ω,
without load, but now with the DSTATCOM. The voltage at
bus2 and the RMS value of voltage with DSTATCOM is
shown in Fig.13 (a) and Fig.13 (b). The simulation results
shown that DSTATCOM is providing effective voltage
regulation against fault conditions. For the all events
described above Table 2 gives comparison of Terminal
Voltage (p.u.).
as voltage dips, swells and mitigation techniques by
DSTATCOM. PWM based control scheme has been
implemented to control the VSC. Here both the angular
position and the magnitude of the output voltage are
controllable by appropriate on/off signals. The simulation
results showed clearly the performance of the DSTATCOM in
mitigating voltage sags and swells. Table 2 gives comparison
of Terminal Voltage (p.u.).The simulation results showed that
the DSTATCOM provides better voltage regulation.
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Control in Electrical Systems”, 1st edition, Newnes, 2002.
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[4] Bollen, M.H.J., “Voltage sags in three-phase systems” Power Engineering

Review, IEEE, Vol.21, Issue: 9, Sept.2001, pp: 8-11, 15.

[5] N.G.Hingorani and L.Gyuyi, Understanding Facts – Concepts and

Technology of Flexible AC Transmission Systems, 1st Ed: Inst.Elect.
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[6] Gareth A. Taylor, “Power quality hardware solutions for distribution

systems: Custom power”, IEE North Eastern Centre Power Section
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Fig.13 (a): Improved Voltage with DSTATCOM during fault [7] Ran Cao, Jianfeng Zhao, Weiwei Shi, Ping Ziang and Gouquing Tang,
“Series Power Quality Compensator for Voltage Sags, Swells, Harmonics and
Unbalance”, IEEE/PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and
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[8] Chris Fitzer, Mike Barnes and Peter Green, “Voltage Sag Detection
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Fig.13 (b): RMS value of Improved Voltage with DSTATCOM during fault Biograghy Of Authors

TABLE .2 K.Sandhya, born on 30th Aug 1980, in Kadapa District,

A.P., India. Obtained B.Tech degree in 2001 and M.Tech in
COMPARISON OF TERMINAL VOLTAGE (P.U.) 2007 with specialization in Electrical Power Systems from
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, and
Time in ms Without With DSTACOM pursuing Ph.D (Power Quality) from Jawaharlal
DSTATCOM Nehru Technological University, India. Presently
t=50-100 0.8 p.u. 0.99 p.u. working as Assistant Professor, Electrical & Electronics
(20% voltage sag) Engineering in the Department of EEE, VNR Vignana Jyothi
t=50-100 1.2 p.u. 1.0 p.u. Institute of Engineering and Technology, Bachupalli,
(20%voltage swell) Kukatpally, Hyderabad. She had 8 years of teaching
t=50-100 0.6 p.u. 0.99 p.u. experience. During her teaching career she taught various
with single line to ground subjects like Network Theory, Electrical Mechanics, and Power
fault Systems etc. Her research interests are Power Systems &
Power Quality, FACTS, and Custom Power Devices. She is a
Member of Indian Society of Technical Education (M.I.S.T.E)
 DR. A. Jaya laxmi was born in Mahaboob Nagar
District, Andhra Pradesh, on 07-11-1969. She
completed her B.Tech. (EEE) from Osmania University
College of Engineering, Hyderabad in 1991, M. Tech.
(Power Systems) from REC Warangal, Andhra Pradesh in 1996
and completed Ph.D.(Power Quality) from Jawaharlal Nehru
Technological University College of Engineering, Hyderabad
in 2007. She has five years of Industrial experience and 8
years of teaching experience. She has worked as Visiting
Faculty at Osmania University College of Engineering,
Hyderabad and is presently working as Associate Professor,
JNTU College of Engineering, Hyderabad. She has 18
International and 5 National papers published in various
conferences held at India and also abroad. She has 5
international journal papers to her credit. Her research
interests are Neural Networks, Power Systems & Power
Quality. She was awarded “Best Technical Paper Award” for
Electrical Engineering in Institution of Electrical Engineers in
the year 2006. Dr. A. Jaya laxmi is a Member of Institution of
Electrical Engineers Calcutta (M.I.E) and also Member of
Indian Society of Technical Education (M.I.S.T.E).

Dr. M. P. Soni, Worked as Addl. General Manager in BHEL R

& D in Transmission and power System Protection. Worked as
Senior Research Fellow at I.I.T. Bombay for BARC Sponsored
Project titled, ‘Nuclear Power Plant Control’ during the year
1974 - 1977. Presently Working as Professor and Head,
Research and Consultancy Centre, VNRVJIET, Bachupally,
Hyderabad. India. He has undertaken the following projects
like “Dynamic Simulation Studies on Power System and Power Plant
Equipments”, “Initiated developments in the area of Numerical Relays for
Substation Protection”, “Developed Microprocessor based Filter bank
protection for National HVDC Project and commissioned at 220 kV
Substation s ,MPEB Barsoor and APTRANSCO Lower Sileru, Terminal
Stations of the HVDC Project. “Commissioned Numerical Relays and Low
cost SCADA System at 132kV, GPX Main Distribution Substation ,BHEL
Bhopal”. He has 12 international and national conference papers to his credit.
His research interests include power System protection and advanced control
systems.