Active control for power quality improvement in hybrid power systems

Renewable energy has made a stunning entrance to the market. In Lebanon there are some projects taking place such as Hawa Akkar and Beirut River Solar Snake (BRSS). They are used to reduce the reliance on hydrocarbons (petrol-based) generation. The integration of these systems (wind energy, hydro energy, solar power etc.) created different kinds of problems in the grid. Whether system stability problems or Power Quality issues, these issues need solving. Classically passive filters were used but nowadays active filters such as Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) and Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) are chosen for the task. STATCOM is a device that regulates the voltage level or the reactive power in the system. It is used to maintain voltage stability, enlargement of critical clearing time. DVR is a voltage restorer that can solve the voltage power quality issues. This paper will integrate the STATCOM and the DVR for voltage control and harmonics filtering. The simulation has been done by MATLAB/SIMULINK and shows the work of the STATCOM and the DVR combined.