New control approach for capacitor supported DSTATCOM in three-phase four wire distribution system under non-ideal supply voltage conditions based on synchronous reference frame theory

A large number of single-phase linear and non-linear loads may be supplied from three phase ac mains with neutral conductor. They cause excessive neutral current, harmonics and reactive power burden and unbalance. A four wire DSTATCOM (distribution static compensator) is used for neutral current compensation along with reactive power compensation, harmonics elimination and load balancing. A novel control approach is proposed for the control of four wire DSTATCOM under non-ideal supply voltage conditions. A four-leg voltage-source converter (VSC) with a dc capacitor is used as a four wire DSTATCOM. The proposed control approach is based on synchronous reference frame (SRF) theory and an indirect current control technique. The switching signals for the voltage-source converter (VSC) of the DSTATCOM are derived from the estimated reference supply currents. The load balancing, harmonics elimination and the neutral current compensation are demonstrated along with unity power factor (UPF) and zero voltage regulation (ZVR) modes of operation. Simulation results based on MATLAB software with its Simulink and power system blockset (PSB) toolboxes are presented to validate the control strategy. The DSTATCOM is able to maintain the self-supported dc bus under various disturbances.