International Journal of Power Electronics and Drive Systems (IJPEDS)

Vol. 15, No. 3, September 2024, pp. 1990~1997

ISSN: 2088-8694, DOI: 10.11591/ijpeds.v15.i3.pp1990-1997  1990

THD analysis and its mitigation using DSTATCOM integrated

with EV charging station in the distribution network

Kavita Dhami, Tejinder Singh Saggu

Department of Electrical Engineering, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, India

Article Info ABSTRACT

Article history: With the increase in carbon emissions, noise pollution and other
environmental impacts caused by conventional vehicles, the demand for
Received Sep 15, 2023 electric vehicles (EVs) is continuously increasing in the market. The transport
Revised Feb 12, 2024 sector has also been revolutionized with the use of EVs. The unique features
Accepted Mar 1, 2024 such as reduction in noise pollution, carbon emissions and running costs and
the capability of EVs to work in both grid-vehicle (G2V) and vehicle-grid
(V2G) have made EVs popular nowadays. Still, it has several effects on the
Keywords: power distribution grid. There are several power issues due to the
incorporation of electric vehicles (EVs) in the distribution network such as
d-q theory voltage instability, harmonics, and voltage fluctuations. This research paper
DSTATCOM focuses mainly on the harmonics caused in the system when EVs are
Harmonics connected to the distribution side. A distributed static compensator
Voltage profile (DSTATCOM) based on the d-q theory is introduced to mitigate the
Voltage source converter harmonics along with the improvement in the voltage profile of the
distribution side. By using MATLAB Simulink, the performance of
DSTATCOM is validated and the comparison of the proposed approach is
also done with that of similar work already existing in the literature.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA license.

Corresponding Author:
Tejinder Singh Saggu
Department of Electrical Engineering, Punjab Engineering College
Chandigarh, 160012, India
Email: [email protected]

1. INTRODUCTION
With the increasing concern about environmental issues, the transportation sector is changing from
conventional fossil fuel vehicles to electric vehicles which has increased the concern about power issues in the
grid due to V2G and G2V capabilities [1]. Different scenarios are observed on grid stability, power quality and
electricity markets with grid integration of EVs [2]. Great potential is offered by the battery-operated EVs to
demand and charge flexibility over the standing time due to their built-in storage capability and to achieve a state
of charge (SOC) of 80%. Issues such as high load peaks, transformer and line overloading are caused by purely
market-oriented strategies while these issues are reduced by using a simple balanced charging strategy [3]. The
current and bus voltage is affected during the charging as well as discharging of EV which affects the voltage
profile of the network [4]. The two charging scenarios are presented i.e., controlled, and uncontrolled charging. It
shows improvement in power quality with controlled charging of EVs [5], [6]. Based on the power flow, charging
cost minimization and total cost minimization are the two types of charging strategies for EVs [7].
A real-time monitoring infrastructure is required by the distribution operators to make their grids work
in a safe mode according to power quality standards by capturing the states of EV chargers [8]. Flexibility to
electricity system, and value for different stakeholders such as system operators, end-customers, and aggregators,
also help in the integration of renewable energy through the smart charging and V2G interfacing of EVs [9]. The

Journal homepage: http://ijpeds.iaescore.com

Int J Pow Elec & Dri Syst ISSN: 2088-8694  1991

electric vehicle along with its charging station induces current harmonics in the system which degrades the power
quality of the supply network [10]. Rusan et al. show the possibility of deteriorating the power quality when
electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) and photovoltaics are connected to the network [11].
Particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is used for finding optimal EVCS locations and thus
reducing the computing time. It is also used for designing the hybrid active power filter to boost the quality of
power and minimize the current source harmonics under ideal voltage conditions for DC-link control [12]-[15].
Zaidi et al. describe mechanisms to achieve voltage support and possible voltage level mitigation solutions
through battery energy storage system (BESS)-STATCOM [16]. Kazemtarghi et al. [17] presented a unique
harmonics elimination method in the EV charging station, which compensates the predominant third harmonic
in the supply side. The effectiveness of harmonic filters for compensating disturbances is tested in different
scenarios by comparing a single harmonic filter on the distribution line with individual filters on each charging
station [18], [19]. By using the DSTATCOM in the grid, several benefits like reduction in the harmonics,
switching losses and voltage stability analysis are done [20], [21]. For the power factor correction and harmonic
reduction, a capacitor-less DSTATCOM based on the matrix converter (MC) is proposed and for active and
reactive power control, the synchronous reference frame (SRF) method is accomplished because of the fast
response and harmonic elimination and in voltage control mode (VCM) to provide fast voltage
regulation [22]-[24]. Evaluation of voltage total harmonic distortion (THD) is performed with different current
harmonic spectrum caused by EV charging in low voltage distribution systems [25].
A lot of research work has already been published on DSTATCOM to improve the power quality in
the distribution network using different techniques. Considering the limitations of various studies presented in
the literature, this paper presents DSTATCOM using the d-q algorithm to analyze and mitigate the THD,
reducing the effect of power issues on the distribution network. MATLAB/Simulink has been used for the
simulation of DSTATCOM to reduce the effect of harmonics in the distribution grid.

2. INTERFACING OF EVs WITH DISTRIBUTION GRID

The circuit diagram representation of the model used in the paper showing the interfacing of EVs to
the distribution grid is shown in Figure 1. The basic components used in the system are a utility grid with
transformers forming a distribution grid which is connected through DSTATCOM to DC/AC converter with
its voltage-oriented controller, a DC/DC converter with its constant current controller to step up and step down
the DC link voltage respectively during charging and discharging state, and an EV battery of lithium-ion type.
The main purpose of the work is to simulate the impact of EV charging stations on the distribution grid and
analyze the filtering of resulting harmonics.

2.1. AC/DC converter

The converter used in the circuit is front end converter also known as the active filter. It maintains a
constant voltage across the DC bus by converting the AC grid voltage to DC. It is used to regulate 800 V DC
across the bus. To build this converter in the simulation, IGBT/ Diodes are used in the Simulink design.

2.2. Voltage oriented control (VOC)

The control strategy used for the AC/DC converter is the voltage-oriented controller. The primary
objective of the controller is to improve the power factor. The first step to achieve this control method is to
create a phase-locked loop (PLL) to obtain the angle (wt) from the three-phase voltage. It is done by using the
transformation in (1).

𝑉𝛼 1 −1\2 −1\2 𝑉𝑎
2
[ ]=√ [ √3 ] [𝑉𝑏 ] (1)
𝑉𝛽 3 0 −√3 /2
2 𝑉𝑐

The next step is to convert the voltage and current from the abc frame to dq frame. The transformation equations
used are (2) and (3).

id = 2/3[ia cos(θ) + ib cos (θ - 2π/3) + ic cos (θ + 2π/3)] (2)

iq = -2/3[ ia cos(θ) + ib cos (θ - 2π/3) + ic cos (θ + 2π/3)] (3)

After the transformation, a decoupled controller can be used. For this control scheme, the impedance
of the filters is multiplied by id and iq and then compared to the controllers. After this step, again the dq frame
is converted to abc frame. This can be done by the transformation in (4)-(6).

THD analysis and its mitigation using DSTATCOM integrated with EV charging … (Kavita Dhami)
1992  ISSN: 2088-8694

ia = id cos (θ) – iq sin (θ) (4)

ib = id cos (θ - 2π/3) – iq sin (θ - 2π/3) (5)

ic = id cos (θ + 2π/3) – iq sin (θ + 2π/3) (6)

From this, the signals can be run through a pulse width modulation (PWM) to generate the control signals for
the converter.

Figure 1. Circuit topology of the model

2.3. DC/DC converter

The DC/DC converter used in this work is a buck-boost converter. It is an important part of the system
as it converts the voltage input to the battery and comes out of the battery for optimal use. It operates in the
buck mode during charging and in the boost mode during discharging of the battery as shown in Figure 2. The
device used in the converter is a MOSFET semiconductor.

Ibat PI PWM1
LIMITER PWM
+ CONTROLLER PWM2
_
Ibat

Figure 2. Block diagram for charging and discharging of battery

2.4. Constant current (CC) controller

It is used to supply a constant current to the battery during the charging process and serves to keep
the balanced charging across the cells. It also keeps the battery in the normal operation mode. In addition to
the DC link voltage and a current reference derived from the battery capacity, this technique makes use of the
battery's current and voltage. To get the gate signals for the converters, the output signal is passed via a pulse
width modulator. Trial and error are used in the PI controller design process to achieve nearly perfect accuracy
between the reference current and the battery current.

2.5. DSTATCOM
The primary part of the system for mitigating the harmonics introduced into the distribution grid from
the EV charging station is DSTATCOM. It is a shunt-connected custom power device used to inject current at
the point of common coupling (PCC). Its components are a voltage source converter (VSC), a filter, a DC-link
capacitor to store the energy with a coupling transformer as shown in Figure 3. It consists of controllers that
enable the use of different algorithms along with semiconductor switches such as IGBT and GTO. The d-q
theory is used in this study to implement the DSTATCOM controller design. Since DSTATCOM's creation or
absorption of reactive power is dependent on the kind of load, it is crucial for EV loads, which are non-linear.

Int J Pow Elec & Dri Syst, Vol. 15, No. 3, September 2024: 1990-1997
Int J Pow Elec & Dri Syst ISSN: 2088-8694  1993

The VSC is a power electronic device that uses semiconductor switches to control the flow of power.
A controller provides the gate pulses to these switches. The capacitor Cdc helps in maintaining a constant level
of voltage for switching operation in VSC [21]. Due to reduced size and low switching losses, usually IGBT
is preferred as the switching element in the distribution voltage level. The output voltage control can be
executed through a pulse width modulation (PWM) switching pattern due to the low rating of converters
employed in these devices.

Is VPCC VL
Vs
IL
Non-Linear
Rx Lx Load

Lc Ic

VOLTAGE
SOURCE
CONVERTER CONTROLLER

Cdc

Figure 3. D-STATCOM schematic diagram

3. CONTROL ALGORITHM OF DSTATCOM

The inverter is the main part of the DSTATCOM system, and it can be supplied with a triggering
pulse by several different algorithms. The PWM control technique is the one employed in this work to generate
the triggering pulses for the IGBT-based inverter. Park and Clark's equations are used to convert the three-
phase system to the reference frame system. The instantaneous voltage and current data are used in this method.
The current is transformed from abc to dq0 by using PLL and then decoupled to i d and iq are regulated with PI
regulators. Figure 4 shows the carrier-based PWM control method [21].

Vabcref
PI Iqref PI
Controller + Controller
+ _
_
Iq PWM Pulses to
Pulse IGBTs
Vd
Generator of VSC
+ Id
abc to dq PI
+ _
Iabc converter Controller
Vq
+ Idref
abc to dq
converter VDCref PI
+ Controller
_ VDC
Vabc

Figure 4. Block diagram of DSTATCOM controller

4. SIMULATION RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

Due to the non-linear loading conditions, the harmonics are induced in the distribution network which
results in the variations of voltage and current. Harmonic distortion causes several disturbances and damages
like overheating and power loss. THD for any system should be kept low which helps in improving the power
factor and efficiency and also reduces the peak currents.
The simulation model of the system is shown in Figure 5. A three-phase source is connected to the
transformer and a parallel RLC load. The V-I measurement block is used for the measurement of rated current
and voltage, connected to the other transformer. DSTATCOM is used to compensate for the harmonics in the
distribution grid due to the integration of EVs. The current measurement block is used to measure the three-

THD analysis and its mitigation using DSTATCOM integrated with EV charging … (Kavita Dhami)
1994  ISSN: 2088-8694

phase current of the grid. The current and voltage is passed to an active rectifier to change the AC to DC
required for the charging of electric vehicles in the stations. The pulse width modulation technique is used to
provide signals to the rectifier. A subsystem is created of different charging stations. In this simulation model,
five charging stations are used that consist of Lithium-ion batteries for charging.

Figure 5. Simulation model of the system

The parameters of each component used in the Simulink are shown in Table 1. It can be seen from
Figure 6 that when EV charging stations are connected to the distribution network in both V2G and G2V
modes, the THD percentage is 18.61% which is not suitable according to IEEE Standard-519, which creates a
negative impact on the grid. However, by connecting DSTATCOM at the distribution grid in both modes as
represented in Figure 7, the value of THD percentage has improved significantly and reduced to 0.31%, which
is now feasible and according to the IEEE standards. Figure 8 shows the voltage waveform without using
DSTATCOM with harmonics. In Figure 9, the harmonics in the voltage waveform have been reduced using
DSTATCOM and Figure 10 shows the DC output waveform of the system. The results obtained are compared
with the reference paper [21], a summary of which is shown in Table 2. The comparison results clearly show
the improvement in THD content as well as the effectiveness of the proposed technique.

Table 1. Simulink parameters

S.No System parameters Specifications
1. Grid source voltage (Vg) 120 kV
2. Grid load voltage (VL) 25 kV
3. Low side AC voltage (VAC) 260 V
4. DC link voltage (VDC) 800 V
5. DC battery voltage (VBATT) 360 V
6. DC link capacitor (Vdc-link) 5600 uF
7. DC bus capacitor (Vdc) 7000 uF

Table 2. Comparison of THD improvement results

S.No Methodology Before (%) After (%)
1. Proposed by DSTATCOM 18.61 0.31
2. Projected earlier by DSTATCOM [21] 17.29 2.68

Int J Pow Elec & Dri Syst, Vol. 15, No. 3, September 2024: 1990-1997
Int J Pow Elec & Dri Syst ISSN: 2088-8694  1995

Figure 6. Total harmonic distortion without DSTATCOM

Figure 7. Total harmonic distortion using DSTATCOM

Figure 8. Voltage waveform without using DSTATCOM

THD analysis and its mitigation using DSTATCOM integrated with EV charging … (Kavita Dhami)
1996  ISSN: 2088-8694

Figure 9. Voltage waveform using DSTATCOM

Figure 10. DC output waveform

5. CONCLUSION
In this research paper, a study of V2G and G2V with five EV charging stations connected to a
distribution grid has been developed and its effect has been analyzed using MATLAB Simulink platform. To
overcome the issues arising after connecting different EVs, a DSTATCOM model has been presented which
is connected at the point of common coupling to the distribution network. The performance of DSTATCOM
is tested using the d-q control algorithm under different loading conditions which shows remarkable
improvement in the THD content from 18.61% to 0.31% as per the IEEE-519 limits. The main finding of the
work is to minimize the THD within limits while integrating EVs into the grid. For this, DSTATCOM is utilized
and satisfactory results are presented. A comparative study is also done to validate the proposed work.

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BIOGRAPHIES OF AUTHORS

Kavita Dhami is student, pursuing M.Tech. (electrical engineering) from Punjab

Engineering College, Chandigarh. She received the B.Tech. degree in electrical engineering
from Uttarakhand Technical University in 2018. Her research interests include the field of
power electronics, power system, power quality and industrial applications. She can be
contacted at email: [email protected].

Tejinder Singh Saggu is assistant professor at Electrical Engineering Department

at Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh since 2013. He obtained his B.Tech. (electrical)
from IKG Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar in 2004, M.E. (power systems and drives)
from Thapar University, Patiala in 2010 and Ph.D. from IKG Punjab Technical University,
Jalandhar in 2017. He is a life member of Institution of Engineers (India) and member of IEEE.
He has published more than 60 papers in international journals and conferences. His research
interests include power quality, power system operation, and renewable energy systems. He can
be contacted at email: [email protected].

THD analysis and its mitigation using DSTATCOM integrated with EV charging … (Kavita Dhami)