Power Quality Enhancement in Medium-Voltage Distribution Grids: A Performance Evaluation of D2VC and D-STATCOM under Generation Ramps and Load Unbalance

Igor S. Rodrigues; Anna D. Espindola; Silvangela L. Barcelos; Edson H. Watanabe

doi:10.18618/REP.e202638

Authors

Igor S. Rodrigues Federal University of Maranhão https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8879-489X
Anna D. Espindola Federal University of Maranhão
Silvangela L. Barcelos Federal University of Maranhão https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6312-8237
Edson H. Watanabe Federal University of Rio de Janeiro https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6427-9504

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18618/REP.e202638

Keywords:

D-STATCOM, D2VC, eneration ramps, medium-voltage distribution systems, point of common coupling, power quality, reactive-power compensation, renewable-energy integration, voltage regulation, voltage unbalance

Abstract

The quality of power in medium-voltage distribution grids has become increasingly challenging due to the growing penetration of variable renewable energy sources and the increasing presence of unbalanced loads. Variable distributed generation introduces generation ramps at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC), causing rapid voltage fluctuations and three-phase unbalances that can challenge conventional voltage regulation equipment. To address these issues, this paper compares two voltage compensation controllers: the Dynamic Direct Voltage Controller (D2VC), which directly regulates voltage magnitude and phase, and the Distribution Static Synchronous Compensator (D-STATCOM), which controls voltage through reactive power injection or absorption. The performance of both devices is assessed through time-domain simulations in PSCAD/EMTDC on a grid-connected medium-voltage distribution system under generation-ramp and unbalanced-load conditions. The comparison considers voltage regulation, settling time, apparent power requirements, and voltage unbalance mitigation. The D2VC required 0.430–0.446 MVA, versus 1.66–2.20 MVA for the D-STATCOM, and restored balanced PCC voltages. The D-STATCOM settled faster but retained a residual negative-sequence component. These results demonstrate distinct dynamic and power requirements for the two compensation approaches.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Igor S. Rodrigues, Federal University of Maranhão

received the B.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering in 2024. He is currently pursuing the M.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering at the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), Brazil. His current and previous research interests include renewable energy, microgrids, and the performance of FACTS and D-FACTS devices in electric power systems.

Anna D. Espindola, Federal University of Maranhão

is a doctoral researcher in electrical engineering at the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA) and is affiliated with the Federal Institute of Maranhão (IFMA), Brazil. She holds a B.S. (2012) and an M.Sc. (2023) in electrical engineering. Her research focuses on marine renewable energy, hydrokinetic turbines, energy complementarity, and tidal velocity modeling.

Silvangela L. Barcelos, Federal University of Maranhão

holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the Federal University of Maranhão (2005), alongside an M.Sc. and a Ph.D. (2013) from COPPE/UFRJ, Brazil. Worked at the Department of Electrical Engineering at UFRJ as a researcher and served as a volunteer collaborating teacher (2013-2015). She was a professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering of Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF (2015/2016). He currently works in the Electricity Engineering Department of the Federal University of Maranhão - UFMA, where he is also part of the Institute of Electric Energy - IEE. She has experience in Electrical Engineering, with emphasis on Power Systems and Power Electronics applied in power systems. His main areas of research include the performance of FACTS equipment in distribution and transmission systems and renewable energies.

Edson H. Watanabe, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

is an electronic engineer and has a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and a Doctor of Engineering (D. Eng.) degree from the Tokyo Institute of Technology. He is now a professor at the Electrical Engineering Program, Coppe/UFRJ. His field of interest is Power Electronics Applications to Power Systems, including integrating renewable sources into the grid, HVDC, FACTS, and Power Quality. He is one of the co-authors of the book “Instantaneous Power Theory and Applications to Power Conditioners” (IEEE Press / John Wiley). He is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (Brazil), IEE-Japan, the Brazilian Society of Automatic Control, Brazilian Power Electronics Society, CIGRE and PELS, IAS, IES, and PES at IEEE. He was admitted, in 2005, to the National (Brazil) Order of Scientific Merit, received the 2013 IEEE PES Nari Hingorani FACTS Award, and The Japanese Government decorated him with “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon" in 2020. He received the "One Step on Electrotechnology - Look Back to the Future" award from the IEE-Japan in 2022.

References

T. F. Etanya, P. Tsafack, D. K. Ngwashi, “Grid-connected distributed renewable energy generation systems: Power quality issues, and mitigation techniques – A review”, Energy Reports, vol. 13, pp. 3181–3203, 2025, doi:10.1016/j.egyr.2025.02.050.

S. Chapala, R. L. Narasimham, G. S. Lakshmi, et al., “PV and wind distributed generation system power quality improvement based on modular UPQC”, in 2023 International Conference on Advanced & Global Engineering Challenges (AGEC), pp. 82–87, IEEE, 2023, doi:10.1109/AGEC57922.2023.00027.

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), “Renewables and Electricity Storage: A Technology Roadmap for REmap 2030”, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Abu Dhabi, UAE, Jun. 2015, URL: https://www.irena.org/publications/2015/Jun/Renewables-and-Electricity-Storage.

V. Bindu, V. Voodi, J. Kalisetti, D. P. Rishitha, S. Rajitha, “Power Quality Enhancement Utilizing DSTATCOM and DVR with PI Controller in Distributive Generation System”, in 2024 International Conference on Sustainable Power & Energy (ICSPE), pp. 1–5, IEEE, 2024, doi:10.1109/ICSPE62629.2024.10924387.

Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica, “PRODIST - Procedimentos de Distribuição de Energia Elétrica no Sistema Elétrico Nacional: Módulo 8 - Qualidade da Energia Elétrica”, Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica, 2021, URL: https://www2.aneel.gov.br/cedoc/ren2021956.html.

J. Zhang, X. Zhu, Y. Xie, G. Chen, S. Liu, “Detection and prediction of wind and solar photovoltaic power ramp events based on data-driven methods: A critical review”, Energies, vol. 18, no. 13, p. 3290, 2025, doi:10.3390/en18133290.

R. Yan, T. K. Saha, “Power ramp rate control for grid connected photovoltaic system”, in 2010 Conference Proceedings IPEC, pp. 83–88, IEEE, 2010, doi:10.1109/IPECON.2010.5697135.

J. Karunadasa, B. V. L. Gunarathne, A. Senanayake, H. S. Perera, D. Kaunarathne, A. Ekanayake, “A Novel Strategy for Ramp Rate Control of Wind Farms”, in 2022 IEEE International Power and Renewable Energy Conference (IPRECON), pp. 1–6, IEEE, 2022, doi:10.1109/IPRECON55716.2022.10059536.

S. L. Barcelos, J. O. Soeiro, E. H. Watanabe, “Discussion on Voltage Regulation Alternatives in Distribution Networks with Massive Distributed Generation”, in 2024 IEEE 15th International Symposium on Power Electronics for Distributed Generation Systems (PEDG), pp. 1–6, 2024, doi:10.1109/PEDG61800.2024.10667447.

CIGRE Working Group B4.33, “HVDC and FACTS for Distribution Systems”, CIGRE, 2005, URL: https://www.e-cigre.org/publications/detail/280-hvdc-and-facts-for-distribution-systems.html.

CIGRE Joint Working Group C2/B4.38, “Capabilities and Requirements Definition for Power Electronics Based Technology for Secure and Efficient System Operation and Control”, CIGRE, 2020, URL: https://www.e-cigre.org/publications/detail/821-capabilities-and-requirements-definition-for-power-electronics-based-technology-for-secure-and-efficient-system-operation-and-control.html.

CIGRE Joint Working Group C4/C2.58/IEEE, “Evaluation of Voltage Stability Assessment Methodologies in Modern Power Systems with High Penetration of Inverter-Based Resources”, CIGRE, 2024, URL: https://www.e-cigre.org/publications/detail/943-evaluation-of-voltage-stability-assessment-methodologies-in-modern-power-systems-with-high-penetration-of-inverter-based-resources.html.

A. S. Alhattab, A. N. B. Alsammak, H. F. Mohammed, “A Review on D-STATCOM for Power Quality Enhancement”, Al-Rafidain Engineering Journal (AREJ), 2023, doi:10.33899/rengj.2022.136635.1210.

A. Šešok, I. Pavić, “SVC Control Strategy for Transient Stability Improvement of Multimachine Power System”, Energies, vol. 17, no. 17, 2024, doi:10.3390/en17174224.

M. Karthikeyan, D. Manimegalai, K. Rajagopal, “Enhancing voltage control and regulation in smart micro-grids through deep learning - optimized EV reactive power management”, Energy Reports, vol. 13, pp. 1095–1107, 2025, doi:10.1016/j.egyr.2024.12.072.

S. Lima Barcelos, R. F. Dias, A. Abrantes-Ferreira, A. G. Alves, E. H. Watanabe, “Dynamic Direct Voltage Controller (D2VC) for grids with intermittent sources”, Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 182, p. 106225, 2020, doi:10.1016/j.epsr.2020.106225.

E. Watanabe, M. Aredes, “Power quality considerations on shunt/series current and voltage conditioners”, in 10th International Conference on Harmonics and Quality of Power. Proceedings (Cat. No. 02EX630), vol. 2, pp. 595–600, IEEE, 2002, doi:10.1109/ICHQP.2002.1221503.

S. K. Yadav, A. Patel, H. D. Mathur, “Study on comparison of power losses between UPQC and UPQC-DG”, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, vol. 58, no. 6, pp. 7384–7395, 2022, doi:10.1109/TIA.2022.3191985.

P. JenoPaul, I. J. Raglend, T. R. D. Prakash, “Modelling and control of universal power line manager”, in International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Intelligent Systems (SEISCON 2011), pp. 52–57, IET, 2011, doi:10.1049/cp.2011.0334.

R. Li, A. Johns, M. Elkateb, “Control concept of unified power line conditioner”, in 2000 IEEE Power Engineering Society Winter Meeting. Conference Proceedings (Cat. No. 00CH37077), vol. 4, pp. 2594–2599, IEEE, 2000, doi:10.1109/PESW.2000.847291.

I. S. Rodrigues, A. D. Espindola, S. L. Barcelos, E. H. Watanabe, “Analysis of D2VC and D-STATCOM in Medium-Voltage Distribution Grids with Photovoltaics Systems Integration”, in 2025 Brazilian Power Electronics Conference (COBEP), pp. 1–6, 2025, doi:10.1109/COBEP66423.2025.11231675.

P. M. Saradva, K. T. Kadivar, M. H. Pandya, A. J. Rana, “Application of D-STATCOM to control power flow in distribution line”, in 2016 International Conference on Energy Efficient Technologies for Sustainability (ICEETS), pp. 479–484, 2016, doi:10.1109/ICEETS.2016.7583802.

E. O. Macedo, R. F. S. Dias, S. L. S. L. Barcelos, E. H. Watanabe, “Unbalanced Voltage Mitigation using D2VC with Proportional Resonant Controller in αβ-Frame”, in 2019 IEEE 15th Brazilian Power Electronics Conference and 5th IEEE Southern Power Electronics Conference (COBEP/SPEC), pp. 1–6, 2019, doi:10.1109/COBEP/SPEC44138.2019.9065559.

R. W. P. Silva, S. L. S. L. Barcelos, R. F. S. Dias, E. H. Watanabe, “Configuração Modificada de D2VC (Dynamic Direct Voltage Controller) com Controle CC Baseado em Teoria PQ”, in Anais do IX Simpósio Brasileiro de Sistemas Elétricos (SBSE 2022), 2022, doi:10.20906/sbse.v2i1.3139.

I. S. Rodrigues, “Compensação de tensão em sistemas elétricos de distribuição de média tensão conectados a geradores intermitentes: Uma análise comparativa entre D2VC e D-STATCOM”, Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (Engenharia Elétrica), Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA), 2024, URL: https://sigaa.ufma.br/sigaa/public/docente/producao.jsf?lc=pt_br&siape=1694643.

E. d. O. Macedo, “Controle direto de tensão em cenários equilibrados e desequilibrados usando o D2VC com controladores proporcionais+ressonantes no referencial αβ”, Master’s thesis, COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 2021, URL: https://eletrica.ufrj.br/pee/index.php/pt/producao-academica/dissertacoes-de-mestrado/2021-2.

H. M. S. Ahmad, A. M. Massoud, N. Meskin, “Voltage control in distribution networks using current source converter STATCOM based on state feedback controller and Kalman filter”, in 2018 IEEE 12th International Conference on Compatibility, Power Electronics and Power Engineering (CPE-POWERENG 2018), pp. 1–6, 2018, doi:10.1109/CPE.2018.8372544.

G. R. F. Q. Mafra, W. Uturbey, B. J. Cardoso Filho, “Analysis of the operation of a D-STATCOM in unbalanced distribution systems under voltage disturbances”, in 2010 IEEE/PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition: Latin America (TD-LA), pp. 629–634, 2010, doi:10.1109/TDC-LA.2010.5762948.

A. C. Borre, A. S. Xavier, F. G. d. C. Ribeiro, M. Aredes, “Análise Comparativa Entre O Controle Direto E Indireto De Injeção De Corrente Em Um D-statcom”, Eletrônica de Potência, vol. 11, no. 2, p. 103–110, Jul. 2006, doi:10.18618/REP.2006.2.103110.

Manitoba Hydro International Ltd., “PSCAD Application Guide and Theory Workbook”, Accessed: 20 Mar. 2026, URL: https://www.pscad.com/knowledge-base/article/283.

A. F. Schiochet, P. R. Duailibe Monteiro, T. T. Borges, J. A. Passos Filho, J. G. de Oliveira, “Photovoltaic Power Intermittency Mitigating with Battery Storage Using Improved WEEC Generic Models”, Energies, vol. 17, no. 20, 2024, doi:10.3390/en17205166.

K. Lappalainen, G. C. Wang, J. Kleissl, “Estimation of the largest expected photovoltaic power ramp rates”, Applied Energy, vol. 278, p. 115636, 2020, doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115636.

X. Chen, Y. Du, E. Lim, H. Wen, K. Yan, J. Kirtley, “Power ramp-rates of utility-scale PV systems under passing clouds: Module-level emulation with cloud shadow modeling”, Applied Energy, vol. 268, p. 114980, 2020, doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.114980.

S. Lima, R. Dias, E. Watanabe, “Indirect Voltage Control (IVC) versus Direct Voltage Control (DVC) in distribution grids with renewable energy sources”, in 2017 IEEE 8th International Symposium on Power Electronics for Distributed Generation Systems (PEDG), pp. 1–6, IEEE, 2017, doi:10.1109/PEDG.2017.7972514.