SummaryThis paper presents the performance of a single‐phase utility‐tied distribution static compensator (DSTATCOM) with nonlinear load operating under weak grid conditions. The DSTATCOM is controlled by a complex kernel risk‐sensitive p‐power (CKRSP) algorithm. Ever‐increasing nonlinearity of the load, rapidly increasing renewable energy system installed capacity, and rising heating loads, especially during the winter season, lead to various power quality issues that worsen during weak grid conditions. An advanced adaptive control scheme, that is, CKRSP, enforces the system to perform various multifaceted operations, including harmonics suppression, handling rapid load variations, voltage sag and swell, and active and reactive power control at the point of common coupling (PCC) during weak grid conditions. The proposed CKRSP algorithm outperforms conventional control algorithms regarding steady‐state error, convergence speed, and accuracy. During weak grid conditions, the proposed system ensures stable DC bus voltage with a reduced second harmonic component. This further assists the CKRSP control in better extracting the fundamental load current component using a smoother loss component of current
. The proposed system can handle various power quality issues during weak grid conditions while ensuring the overall system's stability. The laboratory prototype results show that the presented system performs satisfactorily under weak grid conditions per IEEE 519‐2014 standards.