How to Model a 3-Phase STATCOM Using Three Independent Single-Phase Units in PLECS?

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1

Hello,

I’m working on building a 3-phase STATCOM model in PLECS for an unbalanced load system. My approach is to use three independently controlled single-phase STATCOMs, each connected to one phase. The goal is for each STATCOM to regulate the voltage at the point of common coupling (PCC) by supplying or absorbing reactive power, thereby stabilizing the voltage to a given reference.

I would like to ask:

  • Is this approach viable in PLECS for handling unbalanced conditions effectively?
  • How should I coordinate the control of each phase to ensure accurate voltage regulation at the PCC?
  • Are there best practices or reference models available in PLECS for such a configuration?

Any guidance, example models, or control strategies would be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

2

Studying this type of problem is a great application for PLECS! However, providing specific design guidance on the best overall architecture or design approach for a specific converter is not part of Plexim’s offerings.

There is a PLECS demo model titled “STATCOM Cascaded H-Bridge Converter” that might be of interest if you have not seen it.

There will be a difference in performance between the two architectures. The single phase systems can correct the voltage magnitude on each phase but they cannot correct for the phase angle error, while the three-phase statcom can exchange energy between the phases and can correct both positive and negative sequence voltages with the proper control strategies. This is something for you to investigate further in your simulation models.