Research Projects

The Government of India aims to establish 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. However, as renewable energy (RE) generation increases, grid inertia and short-circuit strength decline, leading to operational instabilities across RE networks. The inertia of the grid holds the frequency during generation loss events. The synchronous machines that typically contribute to grid inertia are getting phased out, and the conventional RE with an inverter interface cannot contribute to grid inertia. The grid-forming control of the inverter emulates the behaviour of synchronous machines and can provide inertia to the grid. Therefore, moving towards a 100% renewable energy system requires transmission assets like STATCOM with grid-forming capabilities. In conventional STATCOMs, energy reserves are limited to the energy stored in capacitors. This restricts their contribution to grid inertia, as injecting active power lowers the DC link voltage. Enhancing STATCOMs with energy storage allows them to provide active and reactive power. This configuration supports voltage stability and contributes to grid inertia, addressing stability challenges in high-RE systems. Several system operators have made it mandatory to include grid-forming features in their new STATCOM and HVDC installations. This project aims to develop a new energy storage integrated modular STATCOM (Static Synchronous Compensator) with grid-forming capability to provide inertial and reactive power support to the power grid. The new modular Energy Storage STATCOM (E-STATCOM) configuration offers significant advantages in cost-effectiveness, grid support, and future adaptability. By developing a new submodule structure and integrating new control techniques based on prior research, this project promises to enhance the capabilities of E-STATCOMs and contribute to the stability of the power grid with increased penetration of renewable energy sources. The hardware prototype of the energy storage STATCOM with the new submodule structure and control strategy will be developed in the laboratory. The hardware in-loop testing of the developed E-STATCOM hardware prototype will be done in a real-time digital simulator to assess the E-STATCOM's grid-forming ability. After successful hardware in-loop testing of the 5KW E-STATCOM prototype, the goal is to develop a 5 MVA STATCOM unit with energy storage and grid-forming capabilities demonstrated in the prototype. Recognizing the growing demand for locally developed STATCOMS solutions, organizations such as Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) and several startups have expressed strong interest in the development of an indigenous STATCOM prototype. By collaborating with these stakeholders, the project aims to translate research outcomes into a commercially viable E-STATCOM product. This effort will contribute to India’s vision of fostering self-reliance in advanced power grid technologies.