Abstract
In low-voltage grids with a wide spread of domestic and/or small commercial consumers, mostly single-phase, problems can appear due to unbalanced power consumption between the different phases. These problems are mainly caused due to voltage unbalances between phases and the increase in distribution losses. This phenomenon occurs more frequently at the end of highly radial grids and can be stressed by the installation of renewable generators next to the consumers. Amongst the various techniques that have been proposed to solve this problem, this article explores the use of a D-STATCOM, presenting and testing a new method for the optimal location of this type of D-FACT. The developed method starts from a detailed analysis of the existing voltage unbalances in a distribution network and identifies the optimal location of the D-STATCOM (i.e., the one that reduces these unbalances while reducing energy losses). The developed method has been successfully tested for one year at four real European locations with different characteristics and different kinds of users.
Highlights
Classical electric power generation technologies based on thermal cycles use gas, oil, or coal as the main source of energy
The proposed method, unlike others mentioned in the literature review in the initial sections of this document, focused on the location of a single D-STATCOM in the low voltage network, while other studies have dealt with the location and sizing of this type of element
In contrast to other works, the present paper focused on the use of the D-STATCOM to avoid voltage unbalance between phases and reduce the associated energy losses
Summary
Classical electric power generation technologies based on thermal cycles use gas, oil, or coal as the main source of energy. An increasing social awareness on climate change [2] and new regulations [3,4], coupled with a great technology progress and price reductions, have placed renewable energy as one of the main solutions to environmental problems. Despite their advantages, high penetrations of renewable energies can generate problems due to their intermittent, seasonal, and uncontrollable nature. Transmission system operators (TSOs) have been facing these problems for years and distribution system operators (DSOs) are beginning to observe this due to the high diffusion of distributed generation. These new problems are forcing DSOs and TSOs around the world to develop new operation and maintenance techniques and structures in their systems [5]
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