51-level Multilevel Inverter Configuration for STATCOM Application

This paper is the extension study for the multilevel inverter (MLI) presented in [1], [2]. The proposed MLI has successfully generated high output voltage levels (i.e., 9, 13, 17, and 51-level) and high output quality with reduced component counts. This results in a simple operation, compact system, and low production cost. These features are practical for high-voltage applications like static synchronous compensators (STATCOM). STATCOM is an example of a reactive power compensator that can effectively manage power quality issues like low power factor (PF). This paper presents the STATCOM application for power factor correction using the 51-level MLI topology presented in [2]. The operation is verified with MATLAB/Simulink simulation.