STATCOM optimal placement method applied to a Swiss urban distribution network considering future photovoltaic integration scenarios

This paper proposes a pragmatic oriented exhaustive method to select a location that maximises the steady-state support of a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) in a MV distribution network. This method is intended to be used during preliminary study, when STATCOM size and control strategy are not yet defined. To choose the most effective location, performance indices based on the network’s required behaviour need to be defined. The presented method was designed in the frame of a research project named COSTAM, dealing with STATCOM behaviours in a real MV distribution network with massive photovoltaic (PV) production. The proposed method was applied to a real case MV network considering future PV integration scenarios. Network modelling, load/generation scenarios based on 2050 PV integration forecast, performance indices and STATCOM control strategies were defined for this case study, leading to the optimal STATCOM location selection. Method and results applied to this case study are detailed in this article to illustrate the general method. The main advantage of this method is its pragmatic approach. It is easily applicable by Distributed System Operators (DSO) in their network.