# US 2019/0245353 A1 · Utilization of distributed generator inverters as statcom > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0245353 A1 - Document ID: US20190245353A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/280,756 - Filed: 2019-02-20 - Published: 2019-08-08 - Earliest claimed: 2009-09-15 - Assignees: Rajiv Kumar VARMA - Inventors: Rajiv Kumar VARMA; Vinod KHADKIKAR; Shah Arifur RAHMAN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190245353A1 ## CPC - H02J 3/01: Arrangements for reducing harmonics or ripples - H02J 3/1842: having reactive elements actively controlled by bridge converters, e.g. active filters or static compensators [STATCOM] - H02J 3/381: {Dispersed generators} - H02J 3/388: Arrangements for the handling of islanding, e.g. for disconnection or for avoiding the disconnection of power - H02J 3/40: Synchronisation of generators for connection to a network or to another generator - H02J 9/00: Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting - H02M 7/44: by static converters - H02J 2101/24: Photovoltaics - Y02E 10/56: Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers - Y02E 40/10: Flexible AC transmission systems [FACTS] - Y02E 40/20: Active power filtering [APF] - Y02E 40/40: Arrangements for reducing harmonics - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract The invention provides a method and system for operating a solar farm inverter as a Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) device—a STATCOM—for voltage control. The solar farm inverter can provide voltage regulation, damping enhancement, stability improvement and other benefits provided by FACTS devices. In one embodiment, the solar farm operating as a STATCOM at night is employed to increase the connectivity of neighbouring wind farms that produce peak power at night due to high winds, but are unable to connect due to voltage regulation issues. The present invention can also operate during the day because there remains inverter capacity after real power export by the solar farm. Additional auxiliary controllers are incorporated in the solar farm inverter to enhance damping and stability, and provide other benefits provided by FACTS devices. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A distributed power generation source for operatively connecting to a power grid system at a point of common coupling, said distributed power generation source comprising: a voltage inverter; and a controller that operates said voltage inverter as a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) when said distributed power generation source is providing less than a maximum rated active power of said distributed power generation source to said power grid system; wherein a voltage at said point of common coupling is regulated by said controller, said STATCOM prevents said voltage at said point of common coupling from exceeding a specified voltage range when at least one additional distributed power generation source is operatively connected to said power grid system, said STATCOM produces an excess amount of power relative to an amount of power required by at least one load on said distributed power generation network. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The distributed power generation source according to claim 1, wherein said inverter is operated as said STATCOM when said distributed power generation source is not providing active power to said power grid system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The distributed power generation source according to claim 1, wherein said distributed power generation source is a solar farm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The distributed power generation source according to claim 1, wherein said distributed power generation source is a solar farm and said inverter is operated as said STATCOM when said solar farm is not generating active power. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The distributed power generation source according to claim 1, wherein said distributed power generation source is an inverter based wind farm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The distributed power generation source according to claim 1, wherein said distributed power generation source is an inverter based wind farm and said inverter is operated as said STATCOM when said wind farm is not generating active power. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The distributed power generation source according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least one additional distributed power generation source is a wind farm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The distributed power generation source according to claim 1, wherein said distributed power generation source and said at least one additional distributed power generation source are electrically connected to said power grid system. ### Claim 9 A control system for use in controlling a distributed generation (DG) power source, said control system having at least one specific function relating to a power grid system, wherein at least one input of the control system is derived from a characteristic of a signal passing through said power grid system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The control system according to claim 9, wherein said at least one specific function of said DG power source is at least one of: a voltage regulation of a point of common coupling (PCC) voltage and a damping control, the voltage regulation being constructed and arranged to control transient signals on said power transmission system through dynamic reactive power control; a DC bus voltage regulation; and an active power injection into said power grid system. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The control system according to claim 9, wherein at least one of said plurality of inputs received by said control system is at least one of: a PCC voltage, a line current, a line power flow, a bus frequency, rotor oscillations of generators in power grid, and inter area oscillations, and wherein said at least one of said plurality of inputs is at least one of: measured, computed and communicated.