Turning Distribution Feeders Into STATCOMs

Utilities implementing grid modernization programs or facing challenges of increased level of renewable integration are seeking tools that can provide distributed and dynamic Volt/Var control (VVC). This paper presents a distributed autonomous VVC approach that uses a large number of small rated var injection sources to convert a distribution feeder into a dynamically controllable VAR source. Field results from a 13-kV 6-MW distribution feeder with 91 distributed controllable VAR sources, each rated at 10 kVAR validate the proposed system-level control strategy to achieve independent control of volts and vars on distribution systems.