A generalised instantaneous non-active power theory for STATCOM

Abstract

A generalised instantaneous non-active power theory is presented. Comprehensive definitions of instantaneous active and non-active currents, as well as instantaneous, average and apparent powers, are proposed. These definitions have flexible forms that are applicable to different power systems, such as single-phase or multi-phase, periodic or non-periodic and balanced or unbalanced systems. By changing the averaging interval and the reference voltage, various non-active power theories can be derived from this theory. The definitions of instantaneous active and non-active currents provide an algorithm for a STATCOM to calculate the non-active current in the load current. The theory is implemented by the STATCOM, and four cases (three-phase balanced RL load, three-phase unbalanced RL load, diode rectifier load and single-phase load) are tested. The experimental results show that the STATCOM can perform instantaneous non-active power compensation, and both the fundamental non-active component and the harmonics are eliminated from the utility so that nearly unity power factor can be achieved. The STATCOM also has a fast dynamic response for transients.