Fine tuning of control parameters for Virtual Synchronous Machine based DSTATCOM using modified Krill Herd optimization technique

This work presents the design of a VSM based DSTATCOM with optimization of controller parameters using modified Krill Herd optimization technique with a special focus on micro grid applications. The high penetration of renewable sources into the power grid with their intermittent nature has become a great challenge for the PLL based conventional d-q frame DSTATCOM controllers to track the grid frequency properly. In this work the shortcomings of PLL based controller is eliminated by implementing Virtual Synchronous Machine (VSM) based control to the DSTATCOM. The optimal value for control parameters has been obtained through a self-tuning algorithm using modified krill herd optimization technique. The response of a VSM DSTATCOM has been compared with conventional d-q control for various fault conditions, source side power variations and load dynamics. Simulation studies has been conducted on MATLAB/SIMULINK platform on a standard test bed and it was evident from the transient response studies that the VSM control was superior to the conventional d-q control.