Contribution of Using PV-STATCOM in Power Quality Improvement

Abstract

The increasing penetration of renewable energy sources in electrical distribution networks has introduced significant power quality challenges, including voltage fluctuations, harmonic distortion, poor power factor, and increased reactive power demand. Conventional mitigation techniques such as passive filters and capacitor banks often provide limited and inflexible compensation. This paper investigates the role of a photovoltaic-based Static Synchronous Compensator (PV-STATCOM) in enhancing power quality and system reliability. Implemented using a Voltage Source Converter (VSC), the PV-STATCOM operates as a shunt active filter capable of dynamically injecting or absorbing active and reactive power at the point of common coupling (PCC). An advanced control strategy based on the wavelet decoupling method is employed to effectively compensate reactive power and suppress harmonic distortions under nonlinear and variable load conditions. Simulation results obtained using MATLAB/Simulink demonstrate that the proposed system significantly improves power qualiry, reduces total harmonic distortion (THD), and achieves a near-unity power factor. These results confirm that PV-STATCOM technology provides an effective solution for maintaining IEEE power quality standards in renewable-integrated distribution systems.