Performance Analysis of Smart Device - STATCOM

For Grid Application

Rijesh A Soumyabrata Chakraborty
T&D – Power BU T&D – Power BU
Tata Consulting Engineers Limited Tata Consulting Engineers Limited
Mumbai, India Mumbai, India

Abstract—Performance analysis of STATCOM is presented The operation of STATCOM is analogous to rotating

for 400kV Indian grid level application. The paper contains the synchronous condenser generating a balanced set of sinusoidal
investigation based on simulation carried out in PSS/E software. voltage at the fundamental frequency with controllable
The principles of STATCOM operation along with basic concepts amplitude and phase angle. Schematic representation of
of power system voltage stability are addressed. PV/QV analysis STATCOM model is given below.
shows the impact of STATCOM on steady state or small
disturbance voltage stability. Large disturbance voltage stability
analysis discusses the STATCOM performance during network
contingencies. Overall benefits of STATCOM for grid level
application are concluded based on the study results.

Keywords—FACTS, STATCOM, Voltage stability, PV/QV

analysis, Contingency analysis

I. INTRODUCTION
Power system stability is an important aspect of any
electrical network for secure system operation and reliability.
The growth of distributed renewable generation (Solar, wind
Fig. 1. Schematic of STATCOM Model
etc.) and the necessity of higher grid utilization are creating
challenges for the grid stability. Many of the major blackouts
occurred worldwide have given special attention and focus to A static compensator consists of a voltage source
the area of power system stability improvement [1]. The converter, a coupling transformer, DC energy source device
advanced digital communication technology and the and controls [5]. STATCOM is connected to the transmission
application of intelligent devices are creating a smart grid, system at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC) through a
which can automate and manage the increasing network coupling transformer. The coupling transformer provides the
complexity to meet the future electricity demand. With necessary isolation between higher system voltage and
developments in power electronics, Flexible AC Transmission STATCOM rated voltage. STATCOM can be operated in
System (FACTS) devices are widely used for grid level parallel with manually switched reactor (MSR) and capacitor
applications for improving the power system stability margin (MSC), which in turn reduces the synchronous compensator
and power quality. Additionally it offers benefits like increase rating.
in the power transmission capacity, improvement in dynamic The magnitude and phase angle of the converter voltage is
behaviour etc. controllable by switching the converter. If the angular
difference between Vc and Vt is positive, the static compensator
II. STATCOM will supply active power to the AC system. If the angular
difference between Vc and Vt is negative, the static
STATCOM or Static Synchronous Compensator is a compensator will absorb active power from the AC system.
member of FACTS family, which are typically utilized in When angular difference between voltages are zero,
long distance transmission systems, power substations and STATCOM will be in floating mode with zero active power
heavy industries where voltage stability is of primary concern. exchange.
The use of power semiconductors and intelligent controllers
make it a high-quality smart device, which improves grid Similarly, if Vc is greater than the terminal voltage Vt, the
availability, stability and power quality. The shunt connected static compensator will supply reactive power to the AC
STATCOM uses force-commutated power electronics system. If Vc is smaller than Vt, the static compensator
components such as GTO, IGBT etc. to control the active and absorbs reactive power. When Vc is equal to Vt, STATCOM
reactive power flow in the system [2]. will be in floating mode with zero reactive power exchange.

978-1-5090-6255-3/17/$31.00 ©2017 IEEE

2017 IEEE Region 10 Symposium (TENSYMP)

Typical VI characteristic of STATCOM operating in inductive flow solutions and plotted against the specified voltage to
and capacitive mode is shown below. obtain the QV plot. The QV curve gives the available reactive
power reserve at the study bus for different value of voltages.
V
Large disturbance voltage instability issues results from
single or multiple contingencies like loss of load or generator,
Vt2
tripping of transmission lines etc. During any of these
Dynamic contingencies, power system may subject to sudden demand of
Vt voltage additional reactive power. Such requirements are met by
Vt1
regulation generators and compensators in the system so as to maintain a
stable voltage. However, due to a combination of
contingencies and system conditions, the lack of additional
reactive power support may lead to voltage collapse, thereby
Capacitive Inductive causing a total or partial breakdown of the system. During
mode mode such scenarios, smartly controlled STATCOM provide
dynamic reactive support to avoid the system collapse.
ILmax I
Icmax 0
IV. CASE STUDY
Fig. 2. VI Characteristics of STATCOM In order to increase the grid stability, it has been proposed
to install STATCOM at three different 400 kV grid stations in
The figure indicates the operative range of STATCOM India. STATCOM manufacturers are already in the process of
providing reactive power support to the power system supplying STATCOM at these grid stations. Steady state
network. If the system voltage is deviated from the nominal voltage stability analysis and large disturbance voltage
value Vt and falls within Vt1 or Vt2, STATCOM smartly stability analysis have been carried out to demonstrate the
controls and maintains the voltage at nominal value. However, improvement in voltage profiles after installation of
if the system voltage exceeds the control range (between Vt1 STATCOM in these grid stations.
and Vt2), the STATCOM acts as a constant current source
providing continuous reactive power support to the system. A. Grid Network Model and Integration with STATCOM
The above characteristics makes STATCOM a smart device Power system network model corresponding to steady state
for the applications requiring dynamic reactive support for and dynamic condition in PSS/E version -33 for both off-peak
maintaining the system voltage stability. and peak loading conditions have been used for this analysis.
Simulations are carried out using all India PSS/E grid network
model corresponding to the suitable future time frame, to
analyse the impact of STATCOM on voltage stability at
III. VOLATGE STABILITY ANALYSIS different 400 kV grid stations.
Voltage stability is the ability of a power system to
maintain the system voltage irrespective of the increase in load The STATCOM model by manufacturer is integrated with
admittance and load power resulting in control of power and the grid model in PSS/E by including the details of coupling
voltage [3,4]. Voltage stability is largely related to the reactive transformer, MSC, MSR etc.
power control in the system during system abnormalities.
Stability problems can be created due to small disturbance B. STATCOM details for 400 kV grid stations:
such as change in load demand or large disturbances such as STATCOM Station in each grid station consist of
network contingency. STATCOM of rated capacity ± 300 MVAR (2 units of ± 150
MVAR) with Mechanically switched 2 × 125 MVAR Shunt
Small disturbance voltage stability can be analyzed as a
Reactor and Mechanically Switched 1 × 125 MVAR Shunt
steady state problem. PV/QV analysis is designed for studies
Capacitor (installed at MV Bus Bar) including associated
related to this type of stability issues. In this analysis, effect of
Coupling Transformers and other 400 kV equipments.
incremental change in active and reactive power loading on
the system voltage stability is analyzed under steady state MV bus voltage level (38.5 kV) is chosen to optimize the
condition. offered solution which meets functional requirement. There
will be two STATCOM units which will operate in parallel.
PV analysis is used to assess voltage variations with active
power change. The active power transfer from the study bus is
incremented in steps to plot the PV curve. PV plot gives the C. Operating characteristics of STATCOM
available amount of active power margin before the point of When 400 kV bus voltage stays between 0.9 p.u and 1.1
voltage instability. p.u, STATCOM can operate continuously according to VI
curve. STATCOM reactive power output will be zero MVAR,
Objective of QV analysis is to assess the voltage variations if the 400 kV bus voltage is between 0.95pu and 1.05pu.
with reactive power change. The reactive power at the study
bus is incremented or decremented for a specified range of When HV bus voltage drops to a value between 0.3 p.u
voltages. Reactive power at the bus is noted from the power and 0.9 p.u, then the STATCOM can operate with full
2017 IEEE Region 10 Symposium (TENSYMP)

capacitive current. When HV bus voltage rise to a value different loading (peak and off-peak) scenario’s. For the PV
between 1.1 p.u and 1.5 p.u, then the STATCOM can operate analysis in PSS/E, a subsystem is created for source bus which
with full Inductive current. contain the generators and subsystem is created for sink bus
which contains the loads in the network. Buses for creating
In case the HV bus voltage drops below 0.3p.u or above source and sink system are selected in such a way that it
1.5p.u, then the STATCOM will continue to provide include generator and load buses which are located near to the
maximum capacitive/inductive current for a predetermined study substation so as to avoid the limitation due to voltage
duration before blocking. If the grid voltage continue to violation and overloading of network corridor.
remains below 0.3 p.u. or above 1.5 p.u, the STATCOM will
trip. Analysis is carried out with incremental load change of
active power. The generations are also rescheduled at each
Fig 3 describes STATCOM Station real operating step of change of the load during the analysis. For each load
scenarios increment, the voltage at 400kV bus in corresponding
substation is monitored. The study is repeated for the system
with and without STATCOM to analyse the effect of
STATCOM on voltage stability.
Sample results for PV curves at 400kV bus corresponding
to the incremental active power (MW) with and without
STATCOM corresponding to transformer and line outage
contingency cases (Peak load scenario) is shown below:

1.05

1.04

1.03

1.02 Reference
voltage
Voltage (PU)

1.01

1.00

0.99
Fig. 3. HV Bus V-I charateristics of STATCOM
0.98

The following table explain the operating points in Fig 3 0.97

400kV line outage 765/400kV
Point on contingency case Transformer outage
0.96
the Detail Rating contingency case
Curve 0.95
Rated continuous capacitive reactive 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
A 270 MVAR
power at 0.9 pu Voltage Incremental active power (MW)
B Zero reactive power 0 MVAR
Fig. 4. PV Curves without STATCOM
C Zero reactive power 0 MVAR
Rated continuous Inductive reactive
D 330 MVAR 1.05
power at 1.1 pu Voltage
The STATCOM is designed for Voltage 1.04
corresponding to 1.5pu Voltage at
E 450 MVAR 1.03
400KV under normal inductive mode of
operation. 400kV line outage
1.02
The STATCOM can continue to contingency case
Voltage (PU)

generate reactive power during a

F 90 MVAR 1.01
temporary under-voltage down to the
value of 0.3 pu 1.00

Below F STATCOM is blocked 0 MVAR

0.99

Above E STATCOM is blocked 0 MVAR 0.98

765/400kV
0.97 Transformer outage
contingency case
V. SMALL DISTURBANCE VOLTAGE STABILITY ANALYSIS
0.96

A. PV Analysis: 0.95
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
PV curves are developed for the existing network for Incremental active power (MW)
different N-1 contingency conditions such as loss of
transformer or generator, transmission line tripping etc. at Fig. 5. PV Curves with STATCOM
2017 IEEE Region 10 Symposium (TENSYMP)

It is observed from the PV curve that, for the network The result indicates that the amount of reactive power the
without STATCOM, voltage at 400kV bus is getting reduced bus can absorb till it reaches 1.05 p.u voltages is higher if
with incremental changes in active load. For an incremental STATCOM is connected in the substation. Similarly the
load up to 2000MW , the system voltage is flat in nature and amount of reactive power the bus can supply till it reaches
mostly stable around 1 p.u when the STATCOM is in service. 0.95 p.u voltage is higher if STATCOM is connected in the
Hence it is concluded that the active power handling capacity substation. Thus STATCOM provides extra cushion so that
of the system is improved with compensator installation. higher reactive power can be supplied / absorbed from the
STATCOM connected bus.
B. QV analysis
QV curves are developed for the existing network for VI. LARGE DISTURBANCE VOLTAGE STABILITY
different N-1 contingency conditions at different loading (peak Large disturbance voltage stability analysis simulated the
and off-peak) scenario’s. QV curves are obtained through a system response during a three phase fault clearing scenario.
series of ac power flow calculations. At the 400kV At 1 sec, a three phase faults is created and the fault is cleared
STATCOM connected bus under study, reactive power is after 5 cycles (100 ms), i.e., 1.1 sec along with line / generator
injected and the corresponding bus voltage increment is noted /transformer tripping. Analysis is conducted for the
till the voltage set point of 1.1 p.u. Similarly reactive power is configuration with and without STATCOM.
absorbed from the bus and the corresponding decrement is
noted till the voltage set point of 0.9 p .u. Sample plot for 400kV bus voltage during a 400kV line
tripping contingency condition (Peak load scenario), with and
Sample results for QV curves for 400kV bus without STATCOM is shown below.
corresponding to incremental reactive power with and without Channel Plot
STATCOM corresponding to a 400kV line outage
contingency condition (Peak load scenario) is shown below: 1.4
3 Phase fault created
5000 1.2
Incremental Reactive power (MVAR)

4000
1
3000
1542.94
MVAR Pre-
2000 0.8
transient
Voltage (P.U.)

period Post-transient period

1000
0.6
0
-1619.1
MVAR 0.4
-1000 3 Phase fault cleared after
-2000 100msec
0.2
-3000
0
-4000

-5000 -0.2
0.90 0.95 1.00 1.05 1.10 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Voltage (P.U) Time (seconds)

Fig. 6. QV Curves without STATCOM ------------ 400 kV voltage waveform without STATCOM
------------ 400 kV voltage waveform with STATCOM
5000
Fig. 8. Dynamic voltage response without and with STATCOM
Incremental Reactive power (MVAR)

4000
1882.26
3000 MVAR Improvement in system dynamic performance with
2000
STATCOM is measured from various parameters such as
post-transient voltage, peak voltage, and rise time, settling
1000 time etc. and the corresponding values are given below.
0
- 1912.97 TABLE I. DYNAMIC VOLTAGE RESPONSE EVALUATION
MVAR
-1000
-2000
Pre Post Rise Peak Settling
-3000 contingency contingency time, voltage, time,
voltage, PU voltage, PU msec PU msec
-4000

-5000
Without STATCOM
0.90 0.95 1.00 1.05 1.10
Voltage (P.U) 1.0064 0.9986 274 1.0211 241

Fig. 7. QV Curves with STATCOM With STATCOM

1.0001 0.9974 272 1.0117 141

2017 IEEE Region 10 Symposium (TENSYMP)

From above table it is evident that, percentage change in [5] Narain G Hingorani, LASZLO GYUGUI, “Understanding FACTS :
post contingency voltage with STATCOM is lesser when Concept and Technology of Flexible AC transmission system”
December 1999, John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
compared to the scenario without STATCOM. Also the other
parameters viz., rise time, peak overshoot and settling time are
improved with inclusion of STATCOM in the network.

VII. CONCLUSION
PV/QV analysis and AC contingency voltage stability
analysis has been carried out at different 400 kV grid stations
in order to demonstrate the improvement in voltage profiles
after installation of STATCOM.
The analysis concluded that with the implementation of
STATCOM in three of the 400kV grid stations, the following
system performances are improved.

A. Higher active power transfer capability

PV curve shows that for an incremental load, the system
voltage is closer to 1 p.u with the STATCOM in service. But
for the network without STATCOM, the voltage at 400kV is
getting reduced from the initial value with increase in load.
Thus STATCOM provides extra cushion so that higher power
can be transferred from that connected bus.

B. Higher reactive power handling capability

QV curve clearly indicate that for peak and off-peak
loading condition, the amount of additional MVAR that can be
supplied to or absorbed from the 400 kV bus under study has
been improved with the implementation of STATCOM.

C. Improved Dynamic response

It is concluded from the AC contingency analysis that after
a grid disturbance, the system voltage recovers faster with the
implementation of STATCOM. Overshoot in voltage after
fault clearing and post contingency steady state voltage are
improved with the reactive power support provided by
STATCOM.
Increase in penetration level of renewable in centralised
grids requires new technologies and intelligent devices for
grid management. The above analysis clearly states that the
applications of smart devises like STATCOM will aid in
creating a smart grid, which is more stable, reliable and can
respond quickly to the dynamic changes in power generation
and demand.

References
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and Future Var Compensating Techniques in Transmission Systems,”
IEEE Transaction on Power Delivery, Vol. 11, No. 1, January 1996.
[3] E. Larsen, et al., “Benefits of GTO-Based Compensation Systems for
Electric Utility Applications,” IEEE Transaction on Power Delivery,
Vol. 7, No. 4, pages 2056–2064, Oct. 1992.
[4] S. Sundarsingh, Dr. R. Raja Prabu , “Performance of Thirty Bus System
with and without STATCOM” ,International Conference