Design and Performance Analysis of a Five-Level Multilevel Inverter-Based STATCOM for Distribution Network Power Quality Enhancement

This study investigates the implementation of a Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) based on a five-level Multilevel Inverter (MLI) to improve power quality in electrical distribution networks. The increasing presence of nonlinear loads and renewable energy sources has introduced several power quality issues, including voltage sags, voltage swells, harmonic distortion, and poor power factor. To address these challenges, the proposed STATCOM utilizes a five-level MLI topology, which provides improved voltage waveform quality, reduced harmonic content, and enhanced reactive power compensation compared to conventional two-level inverter-based STATCOM systems. Advanced control algorithms are employed to regulate the reactive power exchange between the STATCOM and the distribution network, ensuring effective voltage regulation at the point of common coupling. The dynamic control strategy enables fast response to load variations and system disturbances, thereby maintaining voltage stability and improving overall power factor. The complete STATCOM system is modeled and simulated using the MATLAB/Simulink environment to evaluate its performance under different operating conditions. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed five-level MLI-based STATCOM significantly reduces Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), enhances voltage profile stability, and improves power factor across the distribution network. These outcomes confirm the effectiveness of the proposed system in mitigating a wide range of power quality issues. Consequently, the five-level MLI STATCOM presents a reliable and efficient solution for modern distribution systems, particularly those integrating renewable energy sources and variable loads, contributing to improved grid stability and power quality control.