STATCOM Operation Strategy under Power

System Faults
Zhengping Xi, Subhashish Bhattacharya

Semiconductor Power Electronics Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA

Abstract-- The STATCOM (Synchronous Static Compensator) and advanced control techniques, to promote the
operation can be adversely affected due to Voltage Source implementation of these new electronic concepts in
Converter (VSC) over-currents and trips, during power system transmission systems.
faults when its dynamic VAR support functionality is most
required. Strict requirements of STATCOM losses and total system The STATCOM (Synchronous Static Compensator) based
loss penalty preclude the use of PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) on voltage source converter (VSC) is used for voltage
for VSC based STATCOM applications. This constraint of regulation in transmission and distribution systems [1-15].
implementing VSC without PWM functionality, results in over- The STATCOM can rapidly supply dynamic VARs required
currents and trips of the STATCOM during and after system faults.
during system faults for voltage support. Strict requirements
In this paper, we propose an “emergency PWM” strategy to prevent
over-currents (and trips) in the VSC during and after system faults, of STATCOM losses and total system loss penalty preclude
with slightly different B-H characteristics (due to manufacturing the use of PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) for VSC based
tolerances) for series connected transformers. Simulation results STATCOM applications. This constraint of implementing
are presented for a 48-pulse VSC based +100 MVAR STATCOM VSC without PWM functionality, results in over-currents and
connected to a 2-bus power system. Simulation results validate the trips of the STATCOM during system faults, when its VAR
“emergency PWM” strategy to prevent VSC over-currents and to
support functionality is most required. The basic concept of
supply reactive power under all power system faults – single-line to
ground, line-line and three-phase system faults. “emergency PWM” strategy has been proposed by the authors
[16]. In this paper, we propose and develop an “emergency
Index Terms-- B-H curve, line-line fault, magnetic saturation, PWM” strategy to prevent over-currents (and trips) in the 48-
Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) three-level voltage source converter, pulse VSC with magnetic saturation and with slightly different
Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM), single-line to ground fault, B-H characteristics (due to manufacturing tolerances) in
STATCOM, three-phase fault, Voltage Source Converter (VSC). series connected transformers, during and after power system
faults.
I. INTRODUCTION
Simulation results are presented for a 48-pulse VSC based

T he possibility of generating or absorbing controllable

reactive power with various power electronic switching
converters has long been recognized [1-7]. Under its Flexible
+100 MVAR STATCOM connected to a 2-bus power system.
Simulation results validate the “emergency PWM” strategy to
prevent VSC over-currents and to supply required reactive
AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) program, the EPRI has power under a single-line to ground (SLG), line-line and
sponsored the development of high power valves using gate- three-phase system faults.
turn-off thyristors (GTOs), new inverter circuit topologies, 6
x 1 0
4

x 1 0 4
1 . 5

- 2

- 4

0 . 5

- 6
0 . 3 5 0 . 3 5 5 0 . 3 6 0 . 3 6 5 0 . 3 7 0 . 3 7 5 0 . 3 8 0 . 3 8 5 0 . 3 9 0 . 3 9 5 0 . 4

- 0 . 5

- 1

- 1 . 5
0 . 3 5 0 . 3 5 5 0 . 3 6 0 . 3 6 5 0 . 3 7 0 . 3 7 5 0 . 3 8 0 . 3 8 5 0 . 3 9 0 . 3 9 5 0 . 4

T 1
In v 1
x 1 0 4
1 . 5

x 1 0
4
1 . 5

0 . 5

0 . 5

- 0 . 5

- 1

- 0 . 5

- 1 . 5
0 . 3 5 0 . 3 5 5 0 . 3 6 0 . 3 6 5 0 . 3 7 0 . 3 7 5 0 . 3 8 0 . 3 8 5 0 . 3 9 0 . 3 9 5 0 . 4

- 1

- 1 . 5
0 . 3 5 0 . 3 5 5 0 . 3 6 0 . 3 6 5 0 . 3 7 0 . 3 7 5 0 . 3 8 0 . 3 8 5 0 . 3 9 0 . 3 9 5 0 . 4

T 2
In v 2
x 1 0 4
2 . 5

1 . 5

0 . 5

- 0 . 5

- 1

- 1 . 5

- 2

- 2 . 5
0 . 3 5 0 . 3 5 5 0 . 3 6 0 . 3 6 5 0 . 3 7 0 . 3 7 5 0 . 3 8 0 . 3 8 5 0 . 3 9 0 . 3 9 5 0 . 4

x 1 0
4
1 . 5

0 . 5

- 0 . 5

- 1

- 1 . 5
0 . 3 5 0 . 3 5 5 0 . 3 6 0 . 3 6 5 0 . 3 7 0 . 3 7 5 0 . 3 8 0 . 3 8 5 0 . 3 9 0 . 3 9 5 0 . 4

In v 3 T 3

x 1 0
1 . 5 4

0 . 5
x 1 0
4
1 . 5

- 0 . 5

0 . 5

- 1

- 1 . 5
0 . 3 5 0 . 3 5 5 0 . 3 6 0 . 3 6 5 0 . 3 7 0 . 3 7 5 0 . 3 8 0 . 3 8 5 0 . 3 9 0 . 3 9 5 0 . 4

- 0 . 5

- 1

- 1 . 5
0 . 3 5 0 . 3 5 5 0 . 3 6 0 . 3 6 5 0 . 3 7 0 . 3 7 5 0 . 3 8 0 . 3 8 5 0 . 3 9 0 . 3 9 5 0 . 4

T 4
In v 4
x 1 0 4
2 . 5

1 . 5

0 . 5

- 0 . 5

- 1

- 1 . 5

- 2

- 2 . 5
0 . 3 5 0 . 3 5 5 0 . 3 6 0 . 3 6 5 0 . 3 7 0 . 3 7 5 0 . 3 8 0 . 3 8 5 0 . 3 9 0 . 3 9 5 0 . 4

Fig.1. The 48-pulse voltage source converter circuit and waveform construction for + 100 MVA STATCOM application

1-4244-1298-6/07/$25.00 ©2007 IEEE.

 2

includes an adjustable slope/droop setting that defines the

II. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION voltage error at full STATCOM reactive output. There is an
Fig. 1 shows the voltage source converter topology and the unavoidable delay in the feedback of the voltage regulating
48-pulse output voltage waveform construction for loop because of the time taken to compute the positive
STATCOM application. The VSC consists of four (Inv 1 – sequence fundamental bus voltage (Vbus). Thus, although an
Inv4) 3-level Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) converters which extremely fast response (typically ¼ cycle) can be achieved
are connected in series by four (T1-T4) transformer coupling. for the reactive current controller (Iq shunt), the response time
The primary side of the transformer is connected in series as of the voltage regulator is typically about half cycle of the line
shown in Fig. 1. Due to the strict loss penalty for STATCOM voltage [17-18].
application, each VSC is operated at fundamental frequency
switching or in square-wave mode. The gating of VSCs is
phase-shifted so as to yield a 48-pulse output voltage
waveform with series transformer coupling on the primary
side. The voltage waveform for each VSC output and the
waveform construction (summation) on the transformer
primary side is shown in Fig. 1. This VSC topology therefore
achieves very high efficiency.
This VSC circuit has been commercially used at two
installations in the US, each for a 150 MVAR STATCOM
connected to a 138 kV bus. The STATCOM performance is
good for steady state voltage regulation. However, the Fig.3. STATCOM controller block diagram
performance of the STATCOM under system faults (such as
single-line to ground, line-line and three-phase faults) results III. PROPOSED SOLUTION BASED ON “EMERGENCY PWM”
in converter over-currents and STATCOM trips. This problem
Figure 4 shows the magnetic-saturation or the B-H
is the motivation for this work, since the STATCOM
characteristic of the transformers in Figure 1 between the
functionality is required the most under various power system
magnetic flux and its magnetizing current. This B-H curve is
faults and disturbances.
Line 1 used for the STATCOM system simulation. When the
L1=186.7mH transformer flux is smaller than 1.2 pu (“knee point”), the
C=1.27⎠ F C=1.27⎠ F
AC
System 1 500 kV
AC
System 2 magnetizing current increases slowly. When the flux becomes
Bus 2
Line 3
500 kV
Line 2
larger than 1.25 pu, the magnetizing current increases
Bus 1 L2=70.0mH L3=168.0mH
500 kV
8500 MVA
X=10%
C=0.48⎠ F C=0.48⎠ F C=1.15⎠ F C=1.15⎠ F
500 kV
500 kV
9000 MVA
X=11%
dramatically with a very low “slope”, due to transformer
Bus 3

500 kV
saturation as shown in Figure 4. The B-H curve “knee point”
100 MVA
X=15%
Base=100MVA
Single-Line to
Ground Fault
and “slope” are varied for four (T1-T4) series connected
STATCOM
+ 100 MVA
transformers to study its impact on STATCOM operation. In
3-level NPC
VSC
Figure 1, the four series connected transformers can have
Switching
slightly different B-H characteristics due to manufacturing
Signals
V bus
tolerances or winding designs. The impact of B-H curve
STATCOM
Controller differences of series connected transformers on STATCOM
I inv
operation during system faults is the focus of this paper.
Fig. 2. System simulation with a 48-pulse VSC based + 100 MVAR STATCOM [p u ]

in Matlab/Simulink in a 2-bus power system 1 .5 s lo p e

1 .2 5
Figure 2 shows the 2-bus 500kV power system simulation flu x
1 .2
K n e e p o in t
with a 48-pulse VSC based +100MVAR STATCOM in
Matlab/Simulink. The Figure 3 shows the implemented angle
0 .0 0 1 0 .0 1 0 .2 5
controlled (α) STATCOM controller. An inner feedback loop M a g n e tiz in g c u r r e n t
[p u ]

is used to regulate the STATCOM instantaneous reactive

current Iq shunt. Note that this control is achieved by varying the
phase angle, α, of the inverter output voltage relative to the
transmission line voltage. This technique makes it possible to Fig.4. Transformer saturation characteristic used for simulation
maintain a constant maximum ratio between the inverter For example, under single-line to ground system fault on
output voltage and the VSC dc-capacitor voltage (Vdc in one phase, let’s say phase A, phase A bus voltage dips, and
Figure 1). The reference value for the reactive current control phase B and C bus voltages may increase, compared with the
loop is generated by an outer loop responsible for the system normal case, which in turn can cause transformer saturation
voltage control (Vbus_ref). This outer control loop is similar to and large magnetizing currents in phase B and C [19-20]. This
that used in conventional static var compensators, and may result in VSC over-currents and STATCOM trip.
 3

The proposed solution is based on “emergency PWM”
mode, where each VSC (Inv1 – Inv4) will individually detect
and self-implement PWM switching to control their phase
(VSC pole and device) currents within predetermined limits,
as illustrated in Figure 5. Each VSC will ensure that its over-
current limit is not reached during and after a system fault,
and under any bus voltage condition (including negative
500kV bus as shown in Figure 2. A general fault generator is
implemented at bus 2, which results in a voltage dip at the
STATCOM bus. Attention is focused on all types of system
faults and STATCOM performance with and without the
proposed “emergency PWM’ concept given in this section.
Results are given in p.u. values, with 1.0 p.u. as 500kV.
V b u s a , V in v a , Ip rim a (p u )
1 .5

sequence and harmonics). This control strategy enables the 1

0 .5
STATCOM to remain online during and recovering from
0
system faults, when its VAR support is required the most. -0 . 5
-1
-1 . 5
0 0 .1 0 .2 tim e (s )
0 .3 0 .4 0 .5

Fig.8. Phase A bus voltage, STATCOM primary 48-pulse voltage, STATCOM

primary injected current (pu) when STATCOM operation in voltage regulation
under normal system conditions.
Figure 8, Figure 9 and Figure 10 show the STATCOM
operation in voltage regulation mode under normal system
conditions delivering 100MVAR capacitive output. The
STATCOM 48-pulse voltage waveform as shown in Figure 1,
is verified in Figure 8. The four VSC phase currents are
within 1500A peak without any system disturbances.
Fig. 5. Controller to generate “Emergency PWM” trigger signal for Inv1 In v e rte r 1 p h a s e c u rre n ts (A )
2000
Figure 6 shows the VSC phase voltage and current without 1500
1000
“emergency PWM” implementation during a system fault. 500
The phase current rapidly increases at the onset of the fault 0
-5 0 0
and is typically higher than the over-current limit of the VSC -1 0 0 0
devices. This “emergency PWM” concept is illustrated in -1 5 0 0
-2 0 0 0
Figure 7, where the VSC phase voltage is modulated by PWM 0 0 .1 0 .2 tim e (s )
0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
In v e rte r 2 p h a s e c u rre n ts (A )
signals as shown in Figure 5, to control the VSC pole and 2000
1500
device current during the fault. It is seen that the VSC phase 1000
current is controlled such that the STATCOM still delivers 500
0
required reactive power (or current) during the fault. The -500
-1 0 0 0
extra switchings triggered by the “emergency PWM” method -1 5 0 0
will result in higher losses in the VSC during this period. -2 0 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
tim e (s )
However, the priority is to keep the STATCOM online and 2000
In v e r te r 3 p h a s e c u rr e n ts (A )

supply reactive power to support the bus voltage during and 1500
1000
recovering from a system fault. 500
0
-500
-1 0 0 0
-1 5 0 0
-2 0 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
tim e ( s )
In v e rte r 4 p h a s e c u r r e n ts ( A )
2000
1500
1000
500
Fig. 6. VSC phase voltage and current without PWM during fault 0
-500
-1 0 0 0
-1 5 0 0
-2 0 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 tim e ( s )
0 .3 0 .4 0 .5

Fig.9. The four VSC phase currents under normal system operation

Fig. 7. VSC phase voltage and current with PWM during fault

IV. STATCOM SIMULATION WITH SYSTEM FAULTS

The system simulation diagram is shown in Figure 2 with a
2-bus 500kV power system. The +100MVAR STATCOM is
implemented with a 48-pulse VSC and is connected to a
 4

In v e rte r /T ra n s fo r m e r 1 flu x ( W b ) In v e r te r 3 p h a s e c u r re n ts ( A )
4000
500
3000
2000
0
1000
0
-5 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5 -1 0 0 0
500 -2 0 0 0
-3 0 0 0
0 -4 0 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 tim e (s )
0 .3 0 .4 0 .5

-5 0 0 In v e rte r 4 p h a s e c u r re n ts (A )
3000
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
500 2000
1000
0 0
-1 0 0 0
-5 0 0 -2 0 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
tim e (s ) -3 0 0 0
In v e r te r/T r a n s fo r m e r 2 flu x ( W b ) -4 0 0 0
500 0 0 .1 0 .2 tim e ( s )
0 .3 0 .4 0 .5

Fig.12. The four VSC phase currents under single-line to ground fault
0
Inv e rte r/T ra n s fo rm e r 1 flu x (W b)
500
-5 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
500 0

0 -5 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
500
-5 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
500 0

0 -5 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
-5 0 0 500
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
tim e (s )
0
Fig.10. T1 and T2 transformer fluxes under normal system operation
Figure 11, Figure 12 and Figure 13 show the STATCOM -5 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
operation in voltage regulation mode without “emergency tim e (s )
Inv e rte r/Tra n sfo rm e r 2 flu x (W b )
PWM” under 6 cycles single-line to ground fault at bus 2. 500

Figure 12 shows that the VSC currents exceed 3000A (twice 0

of nominal 1500A peak in Figure 9), and will result in over-
-5 0 0
current and trip to protect the VSC devices in a practical 0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
500
system. The VSC over-current limit threshold is 2200A peak.
V b u s a , V in v a , Ip r im a ( p u )
2 0
1 .5
1
-5 0 0
0 .5 0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
0 500
-0 . 5
-1
0
-1 . 5
-2
0 0 .1 0 .2 tim e (s )
0 .3 0 .4 0 .5 -5 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
Fig.11. Phase A bus voltage, STATCOM primary 48-pulse voltage, STATCOM tim e (s)

primary injected current (pu) when STATCOM operation in voltage regulation Fig. 13. T1 and T2 transformer fluxes under single-line to ground fault
under single-line to ground fault. Figure 14, Figure 15 and Figure 16 show the STATCOM
In v e r te r 1 p h a s e c u r re n ts ( A )
4000 operation in voltage regulation mode with “emergency PWM”
3000
2000 under 6 cycles single-line to ground fault at bus 2. The
1000 “emergency PWM’ is implemented to control the VSC phase
0
-1 0 0 0 currents within Ith=2200A peak and lower limit of 1500A
-2 0 0 0
-3 0 0 0
peak, thereby keeping enough current margin, for desirable
-4 0 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5 overload capability of the STATCOM. Figure 15 shows that
tim e (s )

4000
In v e r te r 2 p h a s e c u r re n ts ( A ) the VSC currents do not exceed 2200A, and will therefore
3000 allow the STATCOM to be online during and recovering from
2000
1000 a system fault. This strategy will protect the VSC devices in a
0 practical STATCOM implementation and ensuring online
-1 0 0 0
-2 0 0 0 operation during system faults.
-3 0 0 0
-4 0 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 tim e ( s )
0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
 5

V b u s a , V in v a , Ip rim a (p u ) Inverter/T ransform er 2 flux (W b)

1 .5
500
1
0 .5 0
0
-500
-0 . 5 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
-1 500
-1 . 5
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5 0
tim e (s )

Fig.14. Phase A bus voltage, STATCOM primary 48-pulse voltage,

-500
STATCOM primary injected current (pu) when STATCOM operation in 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
voltage regulation under single-line to ground fault and with “emergency 500

PWM” during the fault

0
In v e rte r 1 p h a s e c u rre n ts (A )
2500
2000
1500 -500
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
1000 tim e (s)
500
0 Fig.16. T1 and T2 transformer phase fluxes under single-line to ground fault and
-5 0 0
-1 0 0 0 with “emergency PWM” implemented during the fault.
-1 5 0 0
-2 0 0 0 Figures 17, 18 and 19 show the STATCOM operation in Iq
-2 5 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 tim e (s )
0 .3 0 .4 0 .5 (reactive current) control mode with “emergency PWM”
2500
In v e rte r 2 p h a s e c u rre n ts (A ) under 6 cycles single-line to ground fault at bus 2. The four
2000
1500 VSC phase currents are all limited within 2200A peak under
1000
500 VAR control mode also. This is important because it shows
0
-5 0 0 that the “emergency PWM” method can decouple the affects
-1 0 0 0
-1 5 0 0 of bus voltage sags and swells independent of the STATCOM
-2 0 0 0
-2 5 0 0 controller structure. Note that in a single-line to ground fault,
0 0 .1 0 .2 tim e (s )
0 .3 0 .4 0 .5

In v e rte r 3 p h a s e c u rre n ts (A )
there is dip in the affected phase voltage, and there can be a
2500
2000 swell in the other phase voltages.
1500 V b u s a , V in v a , Ip rim a (p u )
1000 1 .5
500 1
0
-5 0 0 0 .5
-1 0 0 0
-1 5 0 0 0
-2 0 0 0 -0 .5
-2 5 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 tim e (s )
0 .3 0 .4 0 .5 -1
In v e rte r 4 p h a s e c u rre n ts (A ) -1 .5
2500 0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
2000 tim e (s )
1500
1000
Fig.17. Bus voltage, STATCOM primary 48-pulse voltage, STATCOM primary
500 injected current (pu) when STATCOM operation in Iq current control under
0
-5 0 0 single-line to ground fault and with “emergency PWM” during the fault.
-1 0 0 0 In v e rte r 1 p h a s e c u rre n ts (A )
-1 5 0 0 2500
-2 0 0 0 2000
-2 5 0 0 1500
0 0 .1 0 .2 tim e (s ) 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5 1000
500
Fig.15. The four VSC phase currents under single-line to ground fault, and with 0
-5 0 0
“emergency PWM” implemented during the fault -1 0 0 0
Inv erter/Transform er 1 flux (W b) -1 5 0 0
50 0 -2 0 0 0
-2 5 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 tim e (s ) 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
0
Fig.18. The Inv1 phase currents under single-line to ground fault, and with
-50 0 “emergency PWM” implemented during the fault, with STATCOM in Iq current
0 0 .1 0.2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
control mode.
50 0 In v e r te r /T r a n s fo r m e r 1 flu x ( W b )
500
0
0

-50 0
0 0 .1 0.2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5 -5 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
50 0
500

0 0

-50 0 -5 0 0
0 0 .1 0.2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5 0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
tim e (s) 500

-5 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
tim e ( s )

Fig.19. T1 transformer phase fluxes under single-line to ground fault, and with
“emergency PWM” implemented during the fault, with STATCOM in Iq current
control mode.
 6

Inverter/Transformer 1 flux (W b)
Figures 20, 21, 22 and Figure 23, 24, 25 show the 500
STATCOM operation under bus voltage regulation with
0
“emergency PWM” under 6 cycles three phase fault and line-
line fault at bus 2. Again, “emergency PWM’ is implemented -500
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
to control the VSC phase currents within 2200A peak, thereby 500
keeping enough current margins, for desirable STATCOM
0
overload capability.
V b u s a , V in v a , Ip rim a (p u )
1 .5 -500
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
1
500
0 .5
0 0
-0 . 5
-1 -500
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
-1 . 5 time (s)
0 0 .1 0 .2 tim e (s )
0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
Fig.25. T1 transformer phase fluxes under line-line fault and with “emergency
Fig.20. Phase A bus voltage, STATCOM primary 48-pulse voltage, STATCOM PWM” implemented during the fault.
primary injected current (pu) when STATCOM operation in voltage regulation
Another practical issue of slightly different saturation (B-
under three phase fault and with “emergency PWM” during the fault
3000
In v e rte r 1 p h a s e c u rre n ts (A ) H) characteristics of the four series connected transformers,
2000 on the VSC performance is shown by simulation results for
1000 single-line to ground fault. To discuss this problem, two
0 systems are compared. Figure 26, Figure 27 and Figure 28
-1 0 0 0
show the STATCOM operation in voltage regulation mode
-2 0 0 0
-3 0 0 0
with “emergency PWM” under 6 cycles single-line to ground
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
tim e (s ) fault at bus 2. The saturation curve of T2 and T4 transformers
Fig.21. The Inv1 phase currents under three phase fault, and with “emergency are as shown in Figure 4, whereas the saturation curves of T1
PWM” implemented during the fault
Inverter/T ransform er 1 flux (W b) and T3 transformers have a slightly lower slope after 1.25 pu
500
voltage.
V b u s a , V in v a , Ip rim a (p u )
0 1 .5
1
-500 0 .5
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
500 0
-0 .5
0 -1
-1 .5
-500 0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 tim e (s )

500 Fig.26. Phase A bus voltage, STATCOM primary 48-pulse voltage, STATCOM
primary injected current (pu) when STATCOM operation in voltage regulation
0
under single-line to ground fault, with “emergency PWM”- T1, T3 and T2, T4
-500
have different saturation B-H curves in slope.
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 In v e rte r 1 p h a s e c u rre n ts (A )
tim e (s) 2500
2000
Fig.22. T1 transformer phase fluxes under three phase fault and with 1500
1000
“emergency PWM” implemented during the fault. 500
Vbusa, Vinva, Iprim a (pu) 0
1.5 -5 0 0
1 -1 0 0 0
-1 5 0 0
0.5 -2 0 0 0
-2 5 0 0
0 0 0 .1 0 .2 tim e (s )
0 .3 0 .4 0 .5

-0.5 In v e rte r 2 p h a s e c u rre n ts (A )

2500
2000
-1 1500
-1.5 1000
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0 .4 0.5 500
tim e (s)
0
Fig.23. Phase A bus voltage, STATCOM primary 48-pulse voltage, STATCOM -5 0 0
-1 0 0 0
primary injected current (pu) when STATCOM operation in voltage regulation -1 5 0 0
-2 0 0 0
under line-line fault and with “emergency PWM” during the fault -2 5 0 0
Inv erte r 1 phase currents (A) 0 0 .1 0 .2 tim e (s )
0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
30 00
In v e rte r 3 p h a s e c u rre n ts (A )
20 00 2500
2000
10 00 1500
1000
0 500
0
-10 00 -5 0 0
-1 0 0 0
-20 00 -1 5 0 0
-2 0 0 0
-30 00 -2 5 0 0
0 0.1 0.2 tim e (s)
0.3 0.4 0.5 0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
tim e (s )
Fig.24. The Inv1 phase currents under line-line fault, and with “emergency
PWM” implemented during the fault
 7

In v e rte r 4 p h a s e c u rre n ts (A ) In v e rte r 1 p h a s e c u rre n ts (A )

2500 2500
2000 2000
1500 1500
1000 1000
500 500
0 0
-5 0 0 -5 0 0
-1 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0
-1 5 0 0 -1 5 0 0
-2 0 0 0 -2 0 0 0
-2 5 0 0 -2 5 0 0
0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5 0 0 .1 0 .2 tim e (s )
0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
tim e (s )
In v e rte r 2 p h a s e c u rre n ts (A )
Fig.27. The four VSC phase currents under single-line to ground fault, and with 2500
2000
“emergency PWM” implemented during the fault - T1, T3 and T2, T4 have 1500
different saturation curves in slope. 1000
500
Inv erter/Transform er 1 flux (W b)
0
500
-5 0 0
-1 0 0 0
0 -1 5 0 0
-2 0 0 0
-2 5 0 0
-500 0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
tim e (s )
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
In v e rte r 3 p h a s e c u rre n ts (A )
500 2500
2000
1500
0 1000
500
0
-500 -5 0 0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
-1 0 0 0
500 -1 5 0 0
-2 0 0 0
-2 5 0 0
0 0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
tim e (s )
In v e rte r 4 p h a s e c u rre n ts (A )
-500 2500
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 2000
tim e (s) 1500
Inverter/Transformer 2 flux (Wb) 1000
500 500
0
-5 0 0
-1 0 0 0
0 -1 5 0 0
-2 0 0 0
-2 5 0 0
-500 0 0 .1 0 .2 0 .3 0 .4 0 .5
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 tim e (s )

500 Fig.30. The four VSC phase currents under single-line to ground fault, and with
“emergency PWM” implemented during the fault - T1, T3 and T2, T4 have
0 different saturation curves in knee point.
Inverter/Transformer 1 flux (Wb)
500
-500
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
0
500

-500
0 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
500
-500
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0
time (s)

Fig.28. T1 and T2 transformer phase fluxes under single-line to ground fault and -500
with “emergency PWM” implemented during the fault - T1, T3 and T2, T4 have 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5

different saturation curve in slope. 500

Figure 29, Figure 30 and Figure 31 show STATCOM 0

operation in voltage regulation with “emergency PWM” under
-500
6 cycles single-line to ground fault at bus 2. The saturation 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
time (s)
curve of T2 and T4 are as shown in Figure 4, whereas T1 and Inverter/Transformer 2 flux (W b)
500
T3 have a slightly lower saturation knee point of 1.15pu
voltage – lower than 1.2pu voltage for T2 and T4 0
transformers.
V busa, Vinva, Iprim a (pu) -500
1 .5 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
500
1
0 .5
0
0
-0.5 -500
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
-1 500
-1.5
0 0.1 0.2 tim e (s )
0.3 0 .4 0.5
0
Fig.29. Phase A bus voltage, STATCOM primary 48-pulse voltage, STATCOM
primary injected current (pu) when STATCOM operation in voltage regulation -500
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
under single-line to ground fault, with “emergency PWM” - T1, T3 and T2, T4 time (s)

have different saturation curves in knee point. Fig.31. T1 and T2 transformer phase fluxes under single-line to ground fault and
with “emergency PWM” implemented during the fault - T1, T3 and T2, T4 have

different saturation curve in knee point.
Figure 27 and Figure 30 show “emergency PWM’’ still can
control the VSC phase currents within 2200A peak and lower
limit of 1500A peak when series connected transformers have
different saturation (B-H) characteristics. These B-H curve
differences can be due to manufacturing tolerances and
slightly different permeability of the core material.
Figure 28 and Figure 31 show that for transformers with
different saturation (B-H) characteristics in either the knee
point or slope, the transformer fluxes are different. This
implies that the output voltage of VSCs (Inv1 – Inv4) will be
different. This will in turn also impact the dc bus voltage,
which is beyond the scope of this paper.
This provides the motivation to study the impact of
transformer saturation (B-H) characteristics on VSC design
and performance. The simulation results for various power
system faults should be used to design and specify the
saturation (B-H) characteristics of series connected
transformers, to minimize impact on the VSC design and
performance.
I. CONCLUSIONS
This paper describes an “emergency PWM” operation
strategy to prevent over-currents and trips in the VSC based
STATCOM during and recovering from all types of power
system faults (such as single-line to ground, line-line, and
three-phase faults). Detailed simulation results are presented
for a 48-pulse VSC based +100 MVAR STATCOM
connected to a 2-bus power system. The simulation results
validate the “emergency PWM” strategy to prevent VSC over-
currents and enable the STATCOM to supply reactive power
under system faults, and even with different B-H
characteristics for series connected transformers in a VSC.
This control method provides a practical solution for high
efficiency non-PWM VSC based STATCOM under normal
system operation, and an “emergency PWM” mode to enable
online operation of the STATCOM during power system
faults and disturbances.
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Zhengping Xi was born in Beijing, China. She received the B.Eng. degree in
automation from Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, in 2000 and the M.S
degree in electrical and electronic engineering from Chinese Academy of
Science, in 2003. She is currently working toward the Ph.D. degree in power
electronics at North Carolina State University. Since 2006, she has been a
Research Assistant at the Semiconductor Power Electronics Center, North
Carolina State University. Her research interests include multilevel voltage-
source converter topologies, and their modeling and control.
Subhashish Bhattacharya (M’85) received his B.E. (Hons), M.E. and PhD
degrees in Electrical Engineering from University of Roorkee (IIT-Roorkee),
India in 1986, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India in 1988, and
University of Wisconsin-Madison in Aug. 2003, respectively. He worked with
Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution from Dec. 1998 to August 2005, in
the FACTS and Power Quality Division. Since August 2005, he joined the
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at North Carolina State
University as an Assistant Professor, where he is also a faculty member of the
Semiconductor Power Electronics Center (SPEC). His research interests are
FACTS, Utility applications of power electronics such as custom power and
power quality issues; active filters, high power converters, and converter control
techniques. He has been involved in several FACTS projects including the
NYPA 2 x 100 MVA Convertible Static Compensator (CSC), Korea 40 MVA
UPFC, and AEP 150 MVA STATCOM projects. He also worked with York
International Corp. for commercialization of his active filter PhD research work
for air-conditioner chiller application.