Power hardware-in-the-loop technique applied to a LV network for integrating a supercapacitor with an average model of STATCOM

This paper investigates the effects on voltage stability of a converter based STATCOM integrated with a Supercapacitor into a low voltage (LV) distribution network. An Average Model of a STATCOM was simulated, where the IGBT Voltage-Source Converter was represented by equivalent controlled voltage sources. The STATCOM was modeled in the Real Time Digital Simulator´s (RTDS^®) dedicated software RSCAD. Subsequently, Power Hardware- in- the -Loop (PHIL) tests were executed with an impedance load as Hardware under Test (HuT) in order to validate the system´s performance. Simulations and PHIL experimental results are outlined to demonstrate the STATCOM´s contribution on nodal voltage regulation, whereas the integration and control of an energy storage system (ESS) such as a Supercapacitor is further discussed throughout this paper.