Voltage stability assessment of distribution systems including D-STATCOM using NEPLAN

Abstract

The main issue for electric power operators is power quality of the network. Voltage stability is the biggest challenge facing electric power operators, especially in distribution side. It contributes more than 80% of issues concerned with power quality problems. Locally, the Egyptian national grid is suffering serious problems due to the gradual increase of load demand, which causes the power system to be unstable, and exposed to voltage instability problems. This paper investigates the impact of D-STATCOM on the performance of a realistic electrical network of a new city in Upper Egypt. The study is performed using NEPLAN commercial software. The selected network consists of 20-buses along with 20 distribution transformers of 22/0.4 kV and two medium voltage distribution points (DP). This network is studied with and without D-STATCOM to show the impact of D-STATCOM on the network performance regarding to voltage stability, control of voltage magnitude, and reduction of total active power losses.