Analytical modelling and controller design of a multilevel STATCOM

• Main Author: Sternberger, Ronny
• Published: University of Aberdeen 2009
• Subjects: 621.31; Power transmission : Electric current converters
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.499732

This thesis investigates in detail a multilevel cascaded STATCOM employing indirect voltage control and square-wave control in combination as control strategy. An analytical steady-state model of a multilevel converter in harmonic domain is developed that can be used, for example, for resonance studies within a multilevel converter, or/and in studying interactions between a multilevel STATCOM and the host ac grid (like harmonic resonance). A systematic method is developed for STATCOM system design and optimization of STATCOM system parameters. The focus lies on minimizing losses, minimizing voltage. Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and minimizing dc voltage ripple. Analytical formulae are presented that can be used to calculate the best value of each STATCOM system parameters. A discrete and an analytical dynamic converter model of a multilevel converter are developed to enable dynamic and/or stability studies. For the discrete model, the operating modes of a single-cell are analysed in detail and emulated using signal generators and integrators. The analytical multilevel converter model is segmented into a dynamic and static part in order to represent accurately all internal feedback connections. A general approach is developed for dynamic modelling of a STATCOM system. The dynamic system model has modular structure, and the controller gains are selected by analyzing the root locus of the analytical model to give optimum responses. The model is very accurate in the sub-synchronous range, and it is adequate for most control design applications and practical stability issues below 100 Hz. The controller robustness is also studied where the analytical STATCOM system model is used to perform eigenvalue analysis and to design controllers. Two different advanced control techniques are investigated and compared against the conventional method of proportional integral (PI) feedback voltage control.