STATCOM - A power conditioner to mitigate power quality issues of an islanded local energy system

Subcategory (under Clean Energy): Cross Cutting
Technology Readiness Level (TRL): TRL 7 - Pre-commercial demonstration
Technology Outline (Process Description)

A STATCOM with semi-modular configuration is presented in this work. It is configured around a Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) converter which can generate any voltage levels. The issues of NPC converter like capacitor voltage balancing and neutral shifting can be overcome with this configuration. Various control techniques have been developed for its operation as STATCOM. Both +ve and -ve sequence compensation techniques are implemented. The converter is first simulated in MATLAB/SIMULINK, and then, a laboratory prototype at 10 kW power level has been developed to validate the concept. Both simulation and experimental results satisfactorily demonstrate the performance.

Salient Features/Advantages

  • Multilevel converter topology
  • Small filter requirement
  • Semi-modular configuration
  • Lower losses
  • Possibility of retrofitting
  • Negative sequence compensation
  • Inherent capacitor voltage balancing

Key Outcomes

  • Topology is new. The number of switches required for this converter for a medium voltage application is less in comparison to existing converters of similar rating and voltage levels
  • Some of the switches are operated at fundamental frequency. So, the loss of the converter is expected to be on the lower side
  • Capacitor voltage balancing can be possible without injecting Zero Sequence Voltage or Zero Sequence Current which not only restrict overrating, but also makes the control simpler to implement.

IP Protection details

  • Patent filed (Title, national/International): A Multilevel Converter for Medium Voltage Applications,” Patent ID NO – 21740
  • Patents Granted: Nil
  • Copyrights obtained /progress on commercialisation /Pl. specify connect with industry: Nil

Contact details (for more information)

  • Nodal Person name: Suman Maiti
  • Email ID: sumanmaiti@gmail.com
  • Organisation name (Relevant link/web page): IIT KHARAGPUR
Supporting Photographs/Images

Organizations involved in the development (logo/name)

Department of Science and Technology

IIT KHARAGPUR

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