Zero-sequence controller requirements and comparison for a delta-CHB STATCOM under unbalanced operation

Abstract

Delta-configured Cascaded H-Bridge (DCHB) topology is a suitable alternative for Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) applications. However, under unbalanced voltage and/or current conditions, zero-sequence current needs to be injected to guarantee dc-link capacitor voltage balancing. The control loop of this zero-sequence current is analyzed in this paper, in order to determine the requirements that the implemented controller must fulfill. Considering these requirements, appropriate transient response and stability margin indicators are defined to quantify and evaluate the performance of different controllers that could be employed —Proportional-Resonant controller (PR), PR controller with delay compensation (PRd), and Vector Proportional-Integral controller (VPI) are proposed and analyzed for this application in this paper. Based on the defined indicators, the VPI is the most appropriate among the studied control techniques. Experimental results validate the analytical model of the controllers and their performance.

Keywords

• Delta-connected Cascaded H-Bridge (DCHB)
• Intercluster power balancing
• Resonant controller
• Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM)
• Unbalanced operation
• Voltage Source Converter (VSC)