Power Electronic Enhanced Distribution Transformer : Seamless Voltage Regulation with Extended Functionalities

Abstract: On-load tap changers and static synchronous compensators (STATCOM) are the main components for voltage regulation and power quality optimization in the power system. STATCOMs are used in both industrial applications and utility to stabilize the grid and reduce downtime. STATCOM is based on power electronics that is put together as a voltage source converter. However, as STATCOMs are connected in shunt, they provide voltage regulation indirect, by the injection of reactive power. Which might be insufficient for emerging grid codes and power systems with less inertia. This thesis’s purpose is to investigate a series voltage source converter (SVSC), which is connected in series with the grid. Series connected devices may provide better voltage regulating capabilities than shunt devices with the same amount of reactive power compensation, as it can regulate the voltage directly. The SVSC can also be used for power system compensation and power flow control. The SVSC consists of a Chain-Link Modular Multilevel Converter that is connected directly in series with the power system without a coupling transformer. The SVSC injects a voltage in quadrature with the current through the SVSC, this gives the SVSC the ability to emulate a reactance, along with increasing the voltage. The maximum injected voltage from the SVSC is 30% of the system voltage. As the voltage is injected in quadrature with the current, the SVSC can change to voltage more if the power factor is low. The SVSC is able to keep the voltage on the load side constant in several different load and grid scenarios. Furthermore, the SVSC was able to emulate both a capacitance and an inductance, and control the active power flow. However, the SVSC was not able to regulate the voltage as desired when the power factor is close to 1.