High power density STATCOM with extended reactive power control range

This paper proposes a new configuration for static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) based on the ac-side voltage doubling voltage source converter (ACVD-VSC), which has twice of the dc-link voltage utilization as two-level VSC, hence improved power density per unit dc-link voltage. This means its dc voltage limit for reactive power generation is higher than that using conventional two-level VSC. Therefore, extended reactive power control range is resulted for the proposed solution. Also the ACVD converter has zero dc common mode voltage between the ac neutral point and the dc-link negative terminal, reducing the insulation level for the interfacing transformer when the negative dc bus is grounded. The basic operation principles of ACVD-VSC are reviewed. Then, it is used to perform voltage or power flow control as shunt compensators.