Analysis of SVC influence on the power quality for grid-connected PV plants

The smart grid paradigm for the electric power systems is encompassing an increasingly adoption of distributed generation all over the world. This trend requires the input from flexible alternative current transmission systems (FACTS) devices, which can be used to increase transmission capacity, improving stability and dynamic behavior, and ensure a better quality of energy by controlling several parameters. Current paper deals with the issue of power quality influence, by assessing the static VAR compensator (SVC) operation mode on the grid-connected PV plants in order to assess the power quality limitations imposed by PV plants operation on sensible loads. In the first section, a general analysis was performed, aimed at identifying the current state-of-the art of FACTS technologies and their influence on power quality. An example was designed, starting from a real electric distribution system to which a generic SVC device was added, in order to create a general image of issues and solutions.