Mitigation of Background Harmonic Amplification at PCC Using Active Filtering of STATCOM

Abstract: Shunt compensation devices have been a powerful candidate for expanding the limits of transmission facilities, allowing more active power transport and supporting voltage and overall stability of the network. An example of such devices is the Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) which is based on Voltage Source Converter (VSC) which synthesizes output voltage and current for mainly reactive power compensation. STATCOMs might be accompanied with a Thyristor Switched Capacitor (TSC) or Reactor (TSR) which are controllable shunt devices for extra VARs required, along with passive filters for absorbing the switching harmonics generated by the VSC. Such STATCOM topology is referred as the Hybrid STATCOM.However, such configuration typically results in parallel resonances with the maingrid’s passive elements at different harmonic frequencies. This leads to amplification of background harmonics, if any exist, at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC) where the Hybrid STATCOM is connected. This thesis deals with the VSC control in the STATCOM to mitigate the harmonic amplification behavior by active filtering,which is based on emulating an impedance by the control. Also, the overall system passivity is essentially studied, which ensures a passive system with respect to harmonics.