Reviewing DSTATCOM for smart distribution grid applications in solving power quality problems

Evolution of the future smart distribution grid has made power quality (PQ) resolution a key concern to stakeholders in the power supply sector. The distribution static compensator (DSTATCOM) is one of the custom power devices recently applied to solve this problem. However, manual techniques based on computer-aided-design (CAD) simulator used in designing the DSTATCOM controllers cannot guarantee optimum solutions because of the added integrate-able nonlinearities of the future distribution grid. Therefore, its functionality can be improved through optimum designs by allowing flexible range of working voltages at the point of common coupling (PCC) to meet customer's load demands. This paper focuses on: reviewing DSTATCOM control strategies for solving PQ problems, and its challenges, possible solutions through evolutionary algorithms (EA) based computer-automated-design (CAutoD) of fuzzy logic control, future direction as well as the state-of-the-arts.