Static Synchronous Compensator
A STATCOM, or Static Synchronous Compensator, is a device used in electrical systems to improve their quality and stability. It is a specific application of a Voltage Source Converter (VSC) in FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) technology.
STATCOMs are capable of generating or absorbing reactive power ultra-fast and continuously, offering a distinct advantage over conventional technologies such as capacitor banks or inductors, which adjust reactive power in discrete steps and with a slower response speed. This dynamic, real-time compensation not only optimizes power quality, but also ensures accurate and stable voltage control, even in the face of the fastest and most demanding load variations on the grid.
1. Control and Protection
Equipped with a friendly HMI interface, our STATCOM offers ease of operation and multifunctional control settings. The system features remote real-time monitoring capabilities.
2. Cooling system
Air/water or water/water cooling options are available. Our systems are designed with water pump redundancy for greater reliability.
3. Power Unit
This is the key element of the STATCOM. Our design offers high voltage with extremely low harmonic distortion using a low switching frequency that reduces power losses. We offer Wire bond or Press Pack IGBTs.
4. Reactor
Air core reactors offer high power density solutions. For some ratings and topologies, we can offer iron core, indoor reactors contained within the STATCOM for even a smaller footprint.
Functionally, a STATCOM consists of a voltage source converter that converts direct current to alternating current with any phase and magnitude. This is achieved using power semiconductor devices, such as IGBTs , which are controlled by modern and sophisticated control systems. By varying the phase and magnitude of the injected voltage, a STATCOM can act as a source or sink of reactive power.
By injecting reactive power into the grid, a STATCOM can increase the voltage at the point of connection. Similarly, by absorbing reactive power, it can decrease the voltage. This ability to act dynamically is especially valuable during fault conditions or system disturbances, as it can help to quickly stabilize the grid.
Download this brochure for more information about STATCOM and SVC technology specifications
Download#1: Faster solution for power factor compensation.
The STATCOM equipment outperforms the SVC in terms of response time.
The STATCOM's voltage adjustment and regulation capability is noticeably superior to that of the SVC. This is because, compared to the SVC, the STATCOM experiences much less variation in response time, generally less than 5 ms.
This difference allows the STATCOM to operate more stably and with a more dynamic response to significant changes in the system, highlighting its effectiveness in improving the stability and quality of the power supply.
#2: Active harmonic current filtering capability
Unlike the SVC, whose operation generates a significant amount of second harmonic current, the STATCOM has a minimal amount.
One of the distinguishing features of the STATCOM is its ability to inject harmonic content as needed, mitigating as a basis harmonics up to the 13th order, without this limiting its ability to control and compensate for other electrical parameters.
The percentage of harmonic content mitigation varies according to the case study and the analysis previously performed.
#3: Newest and most reliable technology available
The STATCOM, or Static Synchronous Compensator, represents a cutting-edge innovation in the field of electrical energy management. Its advanced design and rapid response capability make it an essential tool for improving the quality and stability of the power system.
Among its outstanding advantages are its ability to instantly compensate for voltage and frequency fluctuations in the power grid, as well as its ability to improve energy efficiency by optimizing reactive power transfer in the system.
In addition, the STATCOM offers greater operational flexibility and higher reliability compared to traditional reactive compensation technologies, making it a highly recommended option to ensure the integrity, reliability and safety of the power system.
Depending on the characteristics of your electrical network and demand needs, we offer:
The location and environment of installation are key factors in the design of this equipment.
From precise connections to critical industrial installations or flexible outdoor setups, DIRAM’s solutions are designed to elevate your electrical system to the next level.
More informationProper selection and configuration of equipment can offer substantial benefits
Power factor control and voltage regulation is a must for renewable generation to comply grid code requirements.
A steady voltage and low harmonic content, increases productivity
Load evolution demands faster and more efficient solutions to avoid downtime and increase equipment life.
STATCOMs deploy their versatility in a wide range of scenarios, being particularly beneficial in both transmission lines and industrial environments. Let's examine the advantages they offer, segmented according to their field of application:
1. Power Quality Improvement: Industrial facilities, such as steel mills, often face loads that introduce significant voltage fluctuations and generate harmonics. STATCOMs can effectively mitigate these disturbances by providing or absorbing reactive power quickly, which substantially improves power quality and decreases harmonics, benefiting from their inherent filtering capability.
2. Unbalance Correction: With a delta connection configuration, STATCOMs are particularly effective in correcting phase-to-phase unbalance, a common challenge in environments with asymmetrical loads. This is crucial to prevent abnormal operating conditions and protect sensitive equipment.
3. Flicker Reduction: The operation of electric arc furnaces and energy-demanding machinery can cause rapid and severe load fluctuations. STATCOMs intervene to counteract these effects, stabilizing the voltage and thereby improving the visual stability and performance of sensitive equipment.
4. Power Factor Improvement: In the industrial context of a steel mill, optimizing the power factor is not only a matter of energy efficiency, but also a matter of economics. By improving the power factor, penalties imposed by the utility company can be minimized and the efficiency of electrical energy utilization can be maximized.
1. Real-Time Voltage Control: STATCOMs are essential for dynamic voltage control in transmission systems, which is crucial for maintaining operation within the limits of safety and efficiency.
2. Grid stability: They help maintain system stability in the face of transient events, such as line outages or system failures, by providing immediate voltage support.
3. Transfer Capacity Expansion: They allow greater load transfer over existing lines by improving the voltage profile, which can delay or eliminate the need to build new transmission lines.
4. Transmission Loss Reduction: By optimizing reactive power flow, STATCOMs can help reduce transmission line losses.
The 5 main differences between a STATCOM and a harmonic filter are as follows
#1: The way they compensate reactive power
The STATCOM has the ability to correct the power factor dynamically and continuously, while traditional filters simply have the ability to compensate discreetly; that is, they do it in steps.
#2: Harmonic cancellation
The STATCOM has an active filtering module, which allows it to cancel different types of harmonic frequencies simultaneously. On the other hand, traditional filters synchronize to only one harmonic per filter, which has a big discrepancy with respect to the STATCOM.
#3 Dynamic voltage regulation
The STATCOM can deliver both reactive and inductive power, this is effective to be able to regulate the voltage at the node where it is connected, while traditional filters cannot.
#4 Reduction of unbalance
A delta-connected STATCOM has the ability to operate in an unbalanced manner, thus regulating the unbalance in the network. While traditional filters cannot do this.
#5 Flicker mitigation
The STATCOM's response time of around 3-5 milliseconds allows it to compensate so fast that it mitigates flicker. Whereas traditional filters do not have this capability.
Do you have a similar project and are looking for implementation experts? Contact us to make it happen. At DIRAM, your power quality is our priority.
Solicita más informaciónSummary
Industry: Steel
Load: 2 x 120 MVAs EAF steel facility
Objective: Comply new grid code requirements
Solution: Replace fixed harmonic filters with 320 MVAR STATCOM solution
Results
Although the main objective was to comply grid code power factor and power quality requirements, we obtained substantial productivity benefits.
Learn more about our STATCOM projects
There was a non-compliance in the plant according to the Grid Code power factor parameters under low load conditions. In addition, the plant was constantly experiencing voltage fluctuations causing problems in electronic equipment and restart or failure of the robots.
We installed a dynamic compensation equipment that will resolve defaults under low load conditions and mitigate the effects of voltage fluctuations on the electronic equipment.
Previously, the Load Center did not comply with the power factor requirement indicated in the Grid Code. Therefore, an equipment was implemented, which could adapt to the reactive power demand by reading two feeders at different voltages and perform a dynamic compensation to ensure compliance at the PCC (114 kV).
STATCOM 5 MVAR @ 34.5 kV Thanks to the fact that our installed technology has the capacity to deliver and absorb the necessary reagents dynamically to control the power factor of the plant at the connection point, we were able to meet the objective of maintaining the power factor between 0.97 and 1.00 at least 95% of the time, in accordance with the future requirement of the Grid Code
To achieve compliance with Grid Code 2.0 phase 2, that will be effective on April 8, 2026, it was necessary to install a +/- 12 MVAR STATCOM, connected to the 20 Kv main bus and consider leaving the existing compensation equipment in place.
With the installation of the STATCOM, it was possible to compensate the necessary reactives, leaving the power factor at 0.98 inductive values, 100% of the time, complying with the requirement established by the Grid Code 2.0 Phase 2.
There is non-compliance with the power factor and current unbalance parameters established in the Grid Code 1.0.
With the installation of the STATCOM, the power factor and current unbalance parameters were achieved, which decreased by 60%, with the requirement established by the Grid Code 2.0 Phase 2.
Diram was approached by Draxton to request a Grid Code study at the Irapuato plant in which there was detected a power factor non-compliance
Due to the variability of the load, and having a considerable current unbalance, the solution is a STATCOM.
Diram was approached by Draxton to request a Grid Code study at the Saltillo plant in which a non-compliance in power factor and current unbalance was detected.
Due to the variability of the load, and having a considerable current unbalance, the solution was a STATCOM.
A STATCOM, or Synchronous Static Compensator, is a power electronic device implemented in electrical systems to regulate reactive power, as well as to stabilize voltage in real time. In contrast to older mechanical reactive compensation solutions, the STATCOM uses power electronic converters, usually switched by IGBTs, to instantaneously change the amount of reactive power they produce or absorb into the grid. This makes it a highly efficient and adaptive method of improving power factor, mitigating extreme voltage variations and stabilizing medium and high voltage networks, and is commonly used in modern transmission systems.
Functionally, a STATCOM consists of a voltage source converter that converts direct current to alternating current with any phase and magnitude. This is achieved using power semiconductor devices, such as IGBTs.
No, we also have STATCOMs distribution in countries such as the United States, Chile, Colombia and Peru. To request more information call us or send us a message by clicking here and one of our experts will contact you as soon as possible.
The advantages of STATCOM over other Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) devices include faster response times, improved voltage stability, and the ability to provide full reactive power even at low voltage levels. STATCOMs are also more compact, modular, and efficient, making them ideal for dynamic power regulation in modern grids. Unlike devices like SVCs, which use passive components, STATCOMs rely on power electronics, allowing for better control and more efficient performance in systems with varying load conditions. Additionally, they offer higher reliability and are easier to integrate into existing infrastructure.
A STATCOM, also known as Static Synchronous Compensator, is a type of Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) device. It operates using power electronics to regulate reactive power and stabilize voltage in electrical grids. Unlike older reactive power devices like the Static Var Compensator (SVC) which uses passive components such as capacitors and reactors, a STATCOM employs active components like Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) to offer faster and more precise control. This advanced technology allows the STATCOM to dynamically respond to voltage fluctuations, improving the overall stability and efficiency of power transmission systems.
STATCOM offers several advantages over SVC (Static Var Compensator). First, STATCOM provides faster response times due to its use of power electronics, allowing for more precise and dynamic voltage control. Different from SVC, which relies on passive components like capacitors and reactors, STATCOM can deliver full reactive power even at low voltage systems, making it more effective in stabilizing the grid during voltage sags. Additionally, STATCOMs are more compact and modular, offering greater flexibility for installation in limited spaces. They also have a broader operating range, better efficiency, and lower harmonic distortion compared to SVCs, making STATCOM a superior choice for modern power systems.
The main difference between STATCOM and SVC lies in their technology performance. STATCOM (static Synchronous Compensator) uses power electronics, such as IGBTs, to provide fast and precise control of reactive power, enabling it to maintain full reactive output even at lower voltages. On the other hand, SVC (Static Var Compensator) relies on passive components like thyristor-controlled capacitors and reactors, which can lead to slower response times and reduced performance at lower voltages. Furthermore, STATCOM is more compact and modular, allowing for easier installation in space-constrained environments, while SVC systems tend to be larger and more complex. Overall, STATCOM offers better voltage regulation, faster dynamic response, and greater efficiency, particularly in modern, high-demand power grids.
STATCOM (Static Synchronous Compensator), APF (Active Power Filter) and SVG (Static Var Generator) are devices used in power quality management in electric power systems. Although they may appear similar in that they all use power electronics technology to improve grid conditions, they have notable differences in application and functionality.
More informationA STATCOM (Static Synchronous Compensator) is used to regulate voltage, improve power factor, and enhance the stability of electrical grids. It enhances grid stability, provides dynamic reactive power compensation, helping to maintain voltage levels, reduce power losses in systems connected to medium and high voltage and supports the integration of renewable energy sources.
A STATCOM is designed specifically for power generation applications, providing reactive power to stabilize voltage levels in an electrical grid. An inverter, on the other hand, converts DC power into AC power, typically for renewable energy applications like solar or wind. While both involve power conversion, their functions and purposes differ significantly.
A synchronous compensator is a synchronous machine that regulates reactive power in electrical systems, stabilizing the voltage and improving the power factor. In short, the synchronous compensator works like a synchronous generator, but without delivering active power. Its main advantage is that it can inject or absorb reactive power by adjusting its excitation current. Although it has become obsolete and replaced by more advanced technology such as STATCOMs in many discrete applications, it is still useful for high-voltage applications that need long-term stability and support.
Reactive power compensation is the process of correcting the mismatch between current and voltage in an electrical system, generally using devices such as capacitors or STATCOMs. Its objective is to improve energy efficiency, reduce losses in the network and comply with regulations such as the Mexican Grid Code.
It is a device, such as a capacitor, capacitor bank or STATCOM, designed to reduce the amount of reactive power in an electrical system, thus improving efficiency, optimizing operations and reducing low power factor penalties.
STATCOMs deploy their versatility in a wide range of scenarios, being particularly beneficial in both transmission lines and industrial environments. Let's examine the advantages they offer, segmented according to their field of application:
Industrial Users Application
Transmission Line Application
Yes, we have a STATCOM PDF. Download this brochure for more information about STATCOM and SVC technology specifications.
