IEEE ISIE 2006, July 9-12, 2006, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Application of DSTATCOM for Mitigation of

Voltage
Bhim Singh

Sag for

Department of Electrical Engg.

Indian Institute of Technology
New Delhi, 110016, India
bhimsinghr@gmail.com

Motor Loads in Isolated Distribution

Systems

A. Adya, A.P.Mittal, J.R.P.Gupta

B.N.Singh

Department of Instrumentation and Control Engg.

Deptt. of Electrical Engg. and Computer Science
New Orleans
Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology
LA 70118, USA
New Delhi-1 10075, India
alkaadya@gmail.com, mittalap@yahoo.com, jrp83 @yahoo.com

Abstract This paper deals with one of the potential applications

of distribution static compensator (DSTATCOM) to industrial
systems for mitigation of voltage dip problem. The dip in voltage

is generally encountered during the starting of an induction

motor. Isolated distribution systems are comparatively not as stiff
as grid systems; so large starting currents and objectionable
voltage drop during starting of an induction motor could be
critical for the entire system. DSTATCOM is one effective
solution for isolated power systems facing such power quality
problems. The model of DSTATCOM connected in shunt
configuration to such an isolated system (3phase, 42.5kVA
alternator) feeding dynamic motor loads is developed using
Simulink and PSB of MATLAB software. Simulated results
demonstrate that DSTATCOM can be a considered as a viable
solution for solving such voltage dip problems.
Keywords-DSTATCOM; voltage regulation; induction motor.

I.
INTRODUCTION
Improved power quality is the driving force for modern
industry. Consumer awareness regarding reliable power supply
has increased tremendously in the last decade. This has given a
new thrust to the development of small distributed generation.
Small isolated DG sets have the capability to feed local loads
and thus improve reliability of power with low capital
investment. These systems are also gaining increased
importance in isolated areas where transmission using
overhead conductors or cables is unfeasible or prohibitive due
to excessive cost. Small generation systems in hilly terrains,
islands, off shore plants, power distribution in rural areas,
aircrafts etc. can be effectively utilized even in developing
countries. However, these DG sets may have to be de-rated if
induction motor loads are simultaneously started. One effective
option is to use DSTATCOM in shunt configuration with the
main system so that the full capacity of generating sets is
effectively utilized. DSTATCOM employs a voltage source
converter (VSC) and it internally generates capacitive and
inductive reactive power. Its control is very fast and has the
capability to provide adequate reactive compensation to the
system [1-4]. DSTATCOM can be effectively used to regulate
voltage for one large rating motor or a series of small induction
motors starting simultaneously. Induction motor loads draw
large starting currents (5- 6times) of full rated current [5] and
may affect working of sensitive loads.

1-4244-0497-5/06/$20.00 2006 IEEE

Thyristor based systems have been initially proposed for

reactive power compensation and used for voltage flicker
reduction due to arc furnace loads [6-7]. However, due to
disadvantages of passive devices such as large size, fixed
compensation, possibility of resonance etc., the use of new
compensators such as DSTATCOM for solving power quality
problems is growing. Various authors [8-14] have reported the
use of DSTATCOM for solving power quality problems due to
voltage sags, flickers, swell etc have been reported. Akagi et al
[15] have proposed instantaneous reactive power compensator
using switching devices. Singh et al [16-17] have listed
multifunctional capabilities of STATCOM and presented
indirect current control scheme for DSTATCOM. Singh et al
[18] have designed DSTATCOM for self excited induction
generator which has inherent poor voltage regulation.
Simulation of DSTATCOM and custom power devices have
been carried out using standard software such as PSCAD/
EMTDC, SABER, PSPICE, MATLAB etc [19-20].
In this paper, an application of DSTATCOM to isolated
generation system feeding dynamic loads is presented. The use
of DSTATCOM is to provide efficient voltage regulation
during short duration of induction motor starting and thus
prevents large voltage dips. DSTATCOM can be effectively
used to regulate voltage for one large rating motor or a series
of small induction motors starting simultaneously.

II. SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

Fig. la shows the schematic diagram of DSTATCOM for
providing voltage regulation. A three-phase alternator of 42.5
kVA, 50 Hz, 400V (L-L) rating feeds power to isolated
distribution system. The alternator is coupled to the diesel
engine with governor as prime mover. The load considered on
the system represents an induction motor load. The
synchronous machine output voltage and frequency are used as
feedback inputs to a control system, which consists of the
diesel engine with governor as well as an excitation system.
Fig.lb shows the basic diagram of DSTATCOM connected as
shunt compensator. It consists of a three-phase, current
controlled voltage source converter (CC-VSC) and an
electrolytic DC capacitor. The DC bus capacitor is used to
provide a self supporting DC bus. AC output terminals of the
DSTATCOM are connected through filter reactance or in
practical case, by the reactance of the connecting transformer.

1 806

DSTATCOM provides fast and efficient reactive power

compensation.
III. CONTROL SCHEME
Fig.2 shows the control scheme for voltage regulation
purpose. Two PI controllers are used. One PI controller is
realized over the sensed and reference values of dc bus
voltage of the DSTATCOM. The second PI controller is
realized over the sensed and reference values of ac voltage at
*

Diesel
Engine with
Governor
Control

R_ Ln

V,

quadrature components results in the three-phase reference

supply currents (is,,, isbr, and iscr). These three-phase
reference supply currents are computed using three-phase
supply voltages and dc bus voltage of the DSTATCOM.

(a) Computation of In-Phase Components of Reference

Supply Currents
The amplitude of in-phase component of reference supply
currents (Ispdr) is computed using first PI controller over the
average value of dc bus voltage of the DSTATCOM and its
reference counterpart.
ispdr(n)

42.5 kVA
alternator

Ispdr(n-1)

Kpd{Vde(n)- Vde(n-1)}

+ Kid Vde(n) (1)

controller.
The output of this PI controller is taken as the amplitude of
in-phase component of the reference supply currents. Threephase, in-phase components of the reference supply currents
are computed using their amplitude and in-phase unit current
vectors derived from the supply voltages and amplitude of
supply voltage which is computed as:
vtm2 = 2/3(vta' + vtb + Vtc')
(2)
The unit vectors (ua, Ub, uc ) are calculated as:

Motor Load

i'a itb j,
V

DC
Capacitor

R,, L,

where vde(n) = vdcr- vdca(n) denotes the error in vdc calculated

over reference vdcr and average value of vdc and Kpd and Kid
are proportional and integral gains of the dc bus voltage PI

Ua=Vta I

DSTATCOM

vtm,

Ub=Vtb/ Vtm,

Fig. la Schematic diagram of DSTATCOM system connected to an

isolated alternator feeding motor loads.

3
uc=vtC/ vtm
The in-phase magnitudes of reference currents (isadr, isbdr, iscdr)
are calculated as:
isadr = lspdr Ua
isbdr = lspdr Ub

iscdr = lspdr Uc

(b) Computation of Quadrature Components of

Reference Supply Currents
The amplitude of quadrature component of reference supply
currents (Ispqr) is computed using another PI controller over
the average value of amplitude of supply voltage and its
reference counterpart.

S5
b

LCd
Y

RC) Lc

Vdc

S6

spqr(n)

'

S2

(4)

S4

Fig. lb Schematic diagram of 3-legged DSTATCOM system

PCC. The output of the first PI controller (Ispdr) is considered

as amplitude of in-phase components of reference supply
currents and the output of second PI controller (Ispqr) is
considered as amplitude of quadrature components of
reference supply currents. A set of in-phase unit vectors (ua,
ub and uj) are computed by dividing the terminal voltages
(vta, vtb and vtc) by their amplitude (vt.). Another set of
three-phase quadrature unit current vectors (wa. wb and wj)
are derived from in-phase unit current vectors(ua, ub and
uj).The multiplication of in-phase amplitude with in-phase
unit current vectors results in the in-phase components (isadr,
isbdr and iscdr) of three-phase reference supply currents and
similarly multiplication of quadrature amplitude with
quadrature unit current vectors results in the quadrature
components (isaqr, isbqr and iscqr)of three-phase reference
supply currents. Algebraic sum of these in-phase and

Ispqr(n-l) + Kpq{vae(n)- vae(n 1)} + Kiq vae(n) (5)

where vae(n)= Vtmr- vtm(n) denotes the error in Vtm calculated

over reference Vtmr and average value of Vtm and Kpq and
Kiq are the proportional and integral gains of the second PI
controller.
The quadrature unit current vectors (wa, wb, wc) are derived
from in-phase unit current vectors (ua, ub, uc ) as:
wa={-ub + uc}I/ (3)1/2
wb={ ua(3) + (Ub-uc) }/ 2(3)
(6)
wC={-ua(3) + (Ub-uc)}/ 2(3)1/2

(c) Computation of Total Reference Supply Currents

Once the total reference currents are obtained by the
addition of respective in-phase and quadrature current

components as:
isar = isadr + isaqr
isbr = isbdr + isbqr
iscr = iscdr + iscqr

(8)
(9)
(10)

A PWM hysteresis controller is applied over the sensed (isa,

isb and isc) and the reference values of supply currents (is5,
isbr and iscr) to generate six gating pulses for the six IGBT
switches of the DSTATCOM.

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VtI,
.r

vtm

\>/
/

Inphase

6 gating
to
~~~~~~~~~~pulses
DSTATCOM

isabcr

AL

js
AL

isidabcr

/ /

isabc

reference

Pi contr
currentsP1cnrle

Fig. 2 Schematic diagram of DSTATCOM Control scheme

Measurement
Dem ux

Fig.3 MATLAB based model of Power Circuit

Fig.4 MATLAB based model of Control Scheme for generation of reference currents

1808

Vdcr

IV. MATLAB BASED MODELING OF SYSTEM

Model of the STATCOM including power distribution
system network and its controller is developed in MATLAB
environment with Simulink and PSB toolboxes.
A. Power Circuit

Fig.5 shows the response of alternator system with dynamic

motor load. This figure shows the supply voltage (vs),
voltage at PCC (vt), supply currents (is), load currents (ij),
and voltage (vtm) at the PCC. The motor load is applied at
t=0.3sec and the simulated results show that voltage dips
instantaneously. Voltage (vtm) dips from the reference value
of 328V to 250V which is 23.8% voltage dip. This large
voltage dip is encountered at the starting of induction motor
as the motor draws 5-6 times the full load currents during
this duration. The motor now develops rated speed and it is
put on full load at t=0.48sec. However, the voltage dip is
now within limits as the motor is already started and is
drawing normal full rated current.

Fig.3 shows the developed model of power circuit of system

using MATLAB and Power-system block-set (PSB). The
synchronous generator is driven by a diesel engine set. A
salient pole 42.5kVA, 2-pole, 50 Hz, 400V rms voltage three
phase synchronous machine is modeled as an isolated
alternator. A typical IEEE Type-I synchronous machine with
voltage regulator combined to an exciter is used. A 7.5kW
induction motor is connected at the other end of alternator. B. Performance of DSTATCOM with Alternator System
An IGBT based PWM voltage source inverter as feeding Motor Loads for Voltage Regulation
DSTATCOM is implemented using Universal bridge block
from Power Electronics subset of Power System Blockset. It Fig.6 shows the response of DSTATCOM system applied in
is connected in shunt with the main system via transformer shunt configuration to the alternator system feeding motor
impedence (R7,Lj). The current regulator block uses voltage load. This figure shows the dynamic performance of
inputs and generates gating pulses for IGBT switches of variables such as supply voltage (vs), voltage at PCC (vt),
VSC. The paramters of the alternator system, motor load, supply currents (is), load currents (ij), DSTATCOM currents
(ic), DC link voltage (vdc) and voltage at PCC (vtm). The
DSTATCOM, PI controllers are given in Appendix.
motor load is applied at t=0.3sec and it is observed that the
voltage at PCC dips. However, DSTATCOM system is able
B. Control Scheme
to reduce the dip from 328V to 300V. Two PI controllers are
Fig.4 shows the control scheme model of DSTATCOM used- one is to regulate the DC link voltage and the other one
developed using MATLAB. This figure shows the generation is to regulate the ac terminal voltage at PCC. The momentary
of terminal voltage, unit in-phase current templates and unit voltage dip is approx. 8% which is much less as compared to
quadrature current templates. These are used to generate in- the alternator system without DSTATCOM. The full load on
phase components of reference currents and quadrature the motor is applied at t=0.48sec and the voltage at PCC is
components of reference currents. The in-phase components regulated nearly to reference value of 328V.
reference currents are responsible for power factor correction
of load and the quadrature components of supply reference
IV. CONCLUSIONS
currents are responsible to regulate the AC system at PCC.
A
model
of
isolated
alternator system feeding motor loads
The reference supply currents are generated using the
has
been
PSB and Simulink of standard
developed
using
indirect current control scheme as illustrated using equations
MATLAB software. Sudden application of an induction
(1)- (10).
A carrier-less hysteresis PWM controller is employed over motor load results in large starting currents which results in
the sensed supply currents (isa, isb, isc) and instantaneous sudden dip in ac terminal voltage at PCC. The extent of
reference supply currents (isai, isbr, iscr) to generate six gating voltage dip with and without DSTATCOM controller is
pulses for DSTATCOM. The PWM current controller compared. The voltage dip is of the order of 23.8% without
controls supply currents in a band around the desired any controller. This dip is very large and it may affect the
reference current values. If the current in phase 'A' is less functioning of other sensitive equipment connected at PCC.
than reference current in that phase, then upper IGBT for leg Model of DSTATCOM system applied in shunt
'a' is 'OFF' and lower IGBT is 'ON'. Similar logic is configuration has been developed. The DSTATCOM control
applied to the other two legs. The controller controls the utilizes two PI controllers for regulating DC link voltage and
supply currents in a band (hb) around the desired reference also the ac terminal voltage at PCC. The simulated results
current values. The hysteresis controller generates have shown that DSTATCOM application reduces the
appropriate switching pulses for six IGBTs of the VSI momentary dip to approximately 8% only. The voltage dip
can be further reduced by proper tuning of PI controllers and
inverter.
use of fixed value of AC capacitors.
V. PERFORMANCEOFDSTATCOM SYSTEM
Performance of DSTATCOM for power-factor correction,
voltage regulation and harmonic reduction along with load
balancing is studied. The performance of the model is
analyzed under various conditions.
A. Performance of Isolated Alternator System with Motor
Loads without DSTATCOM

Appendix
System parameters used in simulation

Alternator system parameters: 42.5 kVA, 400V (L-L rms), 2 pole,

50Hz, H=0. 1 1 57s,
Stator: Rs=0.04808, L1=0.08, Lmd=2. 11, Lmq=0 93 (all in pu)
Field: Rf=0.02662, Llfd=0.l582
Dampers: Rkd=0.0754, Llkd=O.1098, Rkql=0.0731 1, Llkql=0.06414
(all in p.u.)
DSTATCOM parameters: R,= 0.1Q, L,=7.5mh,
CdC=47OOgf, hb= 0.5 A

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500
0
500
500
0
500
200
0

-200
200

-200

400
>-200
2000

1000
0
0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

0.45

0.5

0.55

0.6

0.7

0.65

Time(sec)

Fig.5 Performance of alternator system feeding motor loads without DSTATCOM

500
0
500
500
-500
100
-100
200

-200
200
-200

900

> 700

5 400

>;E200

> 2000
Q-

1000
0
0.25

00.3

0.35

0.4

0.45
0.5
Ti me(sec)

0.55

0.6

Fig.6 Performance of alternator system feeding motor loads with DSTATCOM

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0.65

0.7

PI Controller parameters: Kpd= 0.3, Kid= 0.8,

Kpa=O.15, Kia= 1.5
Motor load:
Load parameters: 7.5kW, 3-phase, 415V, r,=0.6387, rr=0.451,
Llk=0.004152, Ll,=0.004152, Lm=0.1486
(all in pu)
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

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