Reduction of Total Harmonic Distortion in Distribution System with PV Penetration Utilizing D-STATCOM

Abstract

Over the years, the photovoltaic (PV) energy penetration and the presence of non-linear loads in the distribution system have both risen and will continue to increase rapidly. One of the implications is the harmonic distortion which results in the degradation of electrical components that are connected at the load end. Few custom power devices including Distribution Static Compensator (D-STATCOM) have been determined to enhance the power quality of the supply. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the effect of harmonics in the distribution system and to minimize the percentage of total harmonic distortion (THD) of the source current to be less than 5% for 1 kV systems or below according to the IEEE STD 519-2014 standard limit. This paper employs the D-STATCOM device as the primary component, which demands the use of a specific controller, the Synchronous Reference Frame Theory (SRFT) technique to significantly remove the harmonic contents of the source current. The simulation was modelled utilizing software MATLAB/Simulink R2019a and the percentage of THD was calculated with the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis window. The findings from simulations indicated that the overall harmonic distortion of supply current has been lowered effectively and are within the allowable range. The source current waveform was enhanced through its sinusoidal waveform manners after the connection of the D-STATCOM device to the system. Regardless of the changes in PV irradiation levels, the outcomes have been achieved with all THD percentage values obtained falls below the required limit for each phase.