Dynamic performance and control of a static VAr generator using cascade multilevel inverters

Abstract

A cascade multilevel inverter is proposed for static VAr compensation/generation applications. The new cascade M-level inverter consists of (M-1)/2 single-phase full bridges in which each bridge has its own separate DC source. This inverter can generate an almost sinusoidal waveform voltage with only one time switching per cycle. It can eliminate the need for transformers in multipulse inverters. A prototype static VAr generator (SVG) system using an 11-level cascade inverter (21-level line-to-line voltage waveform) has been built. The output voltage waveform is equivalent to that of a 60-pulse inverter. This paper focuses on the dynamic performance of the cascade inverter based SVG system. Control schemes are proposed to achieve a fast response which is impossible for a conventional static VAr compensator (SVC). Analytical, simulation and experimental results show the superiority of the proposed SVG system.