Development of ± 500 kVAR DSTATCOM for distribution utility and industrial applications

Reactive power management in a power distribution network of a power utility and industry plays a major role in reducing distribution loss and maintaining constant distribution voltage. A PWM inverter based reactive power generator has fast response to reactive power demand and hence can be used for power factor improvement and voltage support. This paper presents the simulation studies and development of a ±500 kVAR DSTATCOM (distribution static synchronous compensator) for power factor improvement. In the first phase, the DSTATCOM was tested at the incoming sub-station of BHEL, Corporate R&D, Hyderabad. Subsequently, the DSTACOM has been relocated to Titanium Shop, MIDHANI, Hyderabad and operating round the clock. The simulation and experimental results show that the developed DSTATCOM is capable of maintaining the desired power factor at the receiving substation, both during steady-state and transient conditions.