Design & Validation of Reactive Power Controller: CQU Project 2018

This project focuses on the design and validation of a reactive power controller for large-scale wind and solar photovoltaic systems, conducted at Central Queensland University. The project addresses the challenge of integrating variable generation plants into electrical grids, emphasizing the importance of reactive power compensation for grid stability. As the electrical engineer, the student designed reactive power controllers, modeled the STATCOM feature in PSS/E, and used MATLAB for simulations, ensuring compliance with FERC requirements. Key objectives included designing cost-effective power controllers, programming STATCOM in PSS/E, modeling the WECC-generated SVSMO3T2 model, and comparing results with prior research. The project involved understanding STATCOM principles, applying circuit design and MATLAB skills, and resolving technical issues related to supply voltage calculation and MATLAB utilization through workshops and revised voltage parameters. The project encompassed equipment testing, documentation, and collaboration with the supervisor to ensure successful completion.

CE 3.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Designing and Validation of the Reactive Power Controller for
both Large-Scale Wind and Solar Photo Voltaic
Location of the project: Central Queensland University, Australia
Project Duration: March 5, 2018, until June 1, 2018
Organization: Central Queensland University
Role and Designation during the time: Electrical Engineer
CE 3.2 Project Background
CE 3.2.1 Characteristics of the project
A contemporary issue had been confronted by the industry of electrical utilities,
which can be referred to the fact that these respective variable generation plant can be
efficiently and promptly determined and thus it must be contributed to any of the dependable
electrical grid operations majorly as the subsequent resource penetration that is continuing in
the upward trends. In this specified project, I designed reactive power controllers to drive and
model the STATCOM feature in the PSS/ E to maintain stability and simulation for any
reactive compensations in the systems. I had to stipulate the subsequent FERC with the core
purpose that this site specified study can only be shown by the transmission’s operator to
validate the reactive capability’s’ requirements until the limit of 0.95 lag until lead at the
point of interconnection. For the purpose of simulation in this project, I had utilized the
software of MATLAB to eventually provide significant reactive power amount to the load of
12.8 kW. Thus, I had designed or validated a specific reactive power-controller only after the
consideration of each and every above provided condition.

CE 3.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
This particular project was eventually approved successfully with a major purpose to
design as well as validate the responsive power-controllers for both larger-scale wind
generator and the solar photovoltaic. During the initiation of the project work, I even had
perfectly developed a few of the significant objectives and these are provided below:
 To design as well as validate the power-controllers for the larger-scale wind
generators and the solar photovoltaic.
 To effectively design the power-controllers only after following consideration of the
specified criterion.
 To sustain lesser expenses for maintenance and production to design this particular
power-controller.
 To correctly program and model this STATCOM within PSS/ E for the stability study
or dynamic simulation for enhancing the reactive compensations in systems.
 To efficiently model the WECC generated STATCOM-based SVC-model known as
SVSMO3T2 model.
 To use the software of MATLAB to simulate this project work successfully.
 To contrast as well as analyze the project result with previous researches to obtain
better solutions.
CE 3.2.3 My area of work
Even before starting my work in the project, I was being appointed as the major
electrical-engineer. As I had worked with same project kinds previously, it was extremely
easy to me for executing this particular project all by myself. The solar photovoltaic, as well
as wind generator, was being considered in the work and hence I have not confronted any
technical difficulty during the completion of the task effectively. With my skills of

Head of the
Department
Supervisor of the
project
Electrical Engineer (Me)
complicated problem-solving as well as major electrical-engineering conceptions, I had the
ability of properly fulfilling my responsibilities and making the project efficacious.
CE 3.2.4 Project Group
Figure 1: People involved in the project
CE 3.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
Within this particular project, I was being recruited as the major electrical-engineer
here and comprised of some of the major responsibilities. My core duty was proposing a
compact design to the reactive power-controller and then eventually validate this particular
power-controller for the solar photo-voltaic as well as wind. This particular simulator of a
power system for the engineering as well as PSS/E was being considered to complete
programming as well as modelling of the STATCOM model, and thus this was my core
responsibility for executing the tasks effectively. My next subsequent duties involved proper
acquaintance of the total working process of STATCOM model so that no error is present in
the results. I was hence responsible for simulating the power-controllers with simulation

software of MATLAB. I also reported to the supervisor of the project weekly to provide him
with the current update of my work.
CE 3.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 3.3.1 Comprehending the Theory of Project
According to the subsequent theoretical readings or conceptions in the project, I have
to utilize the working principle of STATCOM to properly program and model it. In the
beginning, I had made the respective STATCOM block diagram which is provided below.
Figure 2: Block Diagram of STATCOM
Various acute loads in the lower voltage AC-system consist of a balanced and non-
linear feature. Thus, this responsive power-controller should be properly produced and
compensated to improve the quality of power of the respective input utilities or maintenance
of volt profile mains only after utilization of the specific SVC FACTS device for the solar
photovoltaic and the wind power requirements. The terminal voltage of Vbus was equivalent to
the sum of VSTATCOM voltage and voltage across VL or leakage reactance.

Figure 3: Working Principle of STATCOM model
Regarding the wind generator with subsequent converter-interface was also designed
for the various operations from 90% until 110% of these rated terminal-voltages. This chief
capability generally increments with the incrementing terminal-voltage.
Figure 4: Triangular, Rectangular and D-shape Capability Curve for 0.9 pf
CE 3.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
I had utilized my basic understanding of circuit designing here. I subsequently hold
proper acquaintance of circuit’s working principle. The instrumentations and perfect
electrical measurements was the next substantial skill, which was used in the work. I also
tested these electric currents and all elements for reacting with every circuit. I also had

utilized my consequent knowledge of MATLAB software to simulate power-controller.
Furthermore, I also had utilized my current and voltage calculation skills.
CE 3.3.3 Accomplishment and Task Performed
To execute the project, I had to use the software of MATLAB for simulating my
reactive power-controller. The VSI technique was being used in this case with 2 levelled 6
IGBT. Specified system parameters for this project are given below:
Parameters Values
Supply voltage 440V
Supply Frequency 50Hz
Angular Frequency 314 rad/s
Coupling resistance 1Ω
Coupling inductance 5.62 mH
Modulation index 0.8
DC capacitor 680 μF
Table 1: System Parameters of the project
After the consideration of every above-mentioned system parameter, I had to perform
over the 32-bus Australia based grid-network by a proper interlinking from the location of
South Australia until Queensland. I also maintained the electrical standards of ANZ.

Figure 5: STATCOM Current and Voltage
The mathematical modelling of STATCOM was done with help of resistance, DC
capacitor, VSI capacitor, leakage inductance and resistance. The equations utilized for
calculating the resistance, leakage inductance as well as DC side capacitance. These
equations are as follows:
dlsa/dt = 1/Ls (-Rs * Isa + Esa – Eta)
dlsb/dt = 1/Ls (-Rs * Isb + Esb – Etb)
dlsc/dt = 1/Ls (-Rs * Isc + Esc – Etc)
The equation is then converted on the resistance and the STATCOM DC side
equation was
dVdc/dt = 1/Cs (Idc + Vdc)
The instantaneous powers at the ac and dc terminals of converter were equal and the
power balance equation is provided below:
Vdc * Idc = 3/2 (EsR * IsR + Esl * Isl)
Where the constant 3/2 was the reference frame transformation constant.
CE 3.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
3.3.4.1 Issues
A significant technical difficulty, which I had confronted in the work was while
calculation of supply voltages. After my initial calculation, I undertook the 220V supply
voltage. It was incorrect and hence did not give me error free result. This particular voltage
must have been extremely high in comparison to others and thus supply frequency was being

affected. The next technical difficulty, which I had faced in this work was while utilizing
software of MATLAB to simulate my project. It was the very first time I was utilizing
MATLAB software and thus I faced major issues while project execution.
3.3.4.2 Solutions
To solve every above-mentioned technical difficulty, I gave the idea of utilizing 440V
and then deduced to the fact that this particular voltage was correct. It helped me to gain
proper result in this project and thus my technical difficulty was properly resolved. Regarding
the next problem, I decided to attend workshops for understanding the total concept and even
the working principle of simulation software of MATLAB. With the help of such workshops,
I finally resolved the issues.
CE 3.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
My noteworthy and notable plan was providing an inventive and resourceful project
after skilfully working together. I even segregated this work faultlessly and every project task
was executed perfectly.
CE 3.3.6 Collaborative Work
I have confidently worked my project with my supervisor for proficiently project
completion. For the technical difficulties faced in the work while fabrication, I considered
this development with my total team to resolve the technical difficulties.
CE 3.4 Project Review
CE 3.4.1 Project Overview
I have proficiently brought each equipment that was required here. Effective testing or
even checking of this equipment was being accomplished effortlessly to empower that circuit.

I also had to document the project results while integrating the continuity tests. I had also
utilized my skills of the volt or current calculation as well as MATLAB software to simulate
the work.
CE 3.4.2 My Contribution to work
I had to make a detailed designing of the responsive power-controller in the project,
since I was the major electrical-engineer. In addition, I also had to calculate the system
parameters like the voltage of supply, DC capacitor, and frequency of supply, the frequency
of angle, modulation index as well as coupling resistance or inductance and then completed
project simulation with the software of MATLAB.