Utilization of distributed generator inverters as STATCOM

A system for improving stability of a power grid system, said system comprising:

• a power generating source having an output being injected on to said power grid system;
• a damping controller receiving as input a signal indicative of oscillations in said power grid system, and said damping controller outputting a damping control signal;
• and
• a control system, being co-located with a voltage inverter of said power generating source, for receiving said damping control signal,
• wherein said control system outputs a control signal proportional to a transient signal on said power grid system;
• wherein said control signal controls said power generating source such that said output is based on said control signal;
• wherein said control system directly and independently operates said voltage inverter of said power generating source as a Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) to exchange controlled reactive power to improve said stability of said power grid system;
• wherein said control system only operates said voltage inverter;
• said voltage inverter being operated as a STATCOM only when said voltage inverter is operating at a capacity less than a rated capacity of said voltage inverter;
• and said control system operating said voltage inverter as a STATCOM using an unutilized capacity of said voltage inverter, and
• wherein said damping controller comprises a compensator for compensating for said oscillations of said power grid system.