Resilient Operation of EV Charging Stations in Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems Using STATCOM-Based Fault Ride-Through Strategy

The increasing penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy sources (RES) is reshaping the modern power grid. While hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES), consisting of wind and solar generation, offer clean and sustainable power, their intermittent nature combined with the highly dynamic demand of EV charging stations poses significant operational challenges. A critical concern is maintaining uninterrupted EV charging service during grid faults, which often lead to voltage instability, DC-link fluctuations, and even charger tripping. This paper proposes a STATCOM-based fault ride-through (FRT) strategy aimed at ensuring resilient EV charging operation in grid-connected hybrid RES. The proposed system integrates wind and photovoltaic generation with a fast-charging EV station through back-to-back converters. A STATCOM, controlled in the dq-reference frame, provides rapid reactive power support during voltage disturbances, stabilizes PCC voltage, and protects the DC-link against overvoltage. Simulation studies in MATLAB/Simulink demonstrate that the strategy significantly improves power quality, reduces total harmonic distortion (THD), and maintains continuous EV charging under sag and swell conditions. Results indicate that the coordinated operation of converters and STATCOM enables compliance with IEEE-519 standards while guaranteeing robust EV charging availability, making the approach highly relevant for the expansion of sustainable transportation infrastructure.