On capability of different FACTS devices to mitigate a range of power quality phenomena

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of different flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) devices on critical power quality (PQ) phenomena including voltage sags, harmonics and unbalance from the perspective of both mitigation effect and potential negative impact. The FACTS devices, including static VAR compensator, static compensator (STATCOM) and dynamic voltage restorers, are modelled in commercially available software PowerFactory/DIgSILENT to study their impacts on the critical PQ phenomena. Two control strategies, voltage regulation and reactive power compensation, are considered for STATCOM. For DVR, a PI-controller is developed for the purpose of voltage sag mitigation. The merit of the proposed controller is presented by the dynamic response of during fault voltage and the capability of post-fault voltage recovery. The study is carried out on a large-scale generic distribution network. The impact of various devices on PQ phenomena is assessed using appropriate evaluation methodologies, and the results obtained with and without mitigation are presented and compared using heatmaps.