A New Instantaneous Power Theory-Based Three-phase Active Power Filter

Shin-KuanChen
Department of Electrical Enpeering Chug Chou Junior College of Technology & Commerce Chang-Hua TAIW..LV 510

Gary W. Chang
Department of Electrical Engmeering

National Chung Cheng Umversity Chia-Yi, TAIWAN 621

Abstract: The active power tiltcr has been proved to be an effechve devlce to mtigate harmomc current and/or voltage

distortions produced by nonlinear loads as well as to compensate reactive power. In the past some actlve power filters were designed based on the conventional instantaneous reactive power (IRP) theory. However, these types of filters can only compensate reactive power for the load If the load generates harmoruc current or is unbalanced, the conventional IRP theory-based achve filter can not compensate the harmomc distorbon and does not function properly. In order to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional I R P theory, a iiew instantaneous power theory-based algonthm is proposed for the control strategy of the active filter. In tlus paper the implementationof B 10-kVA prototype active power filter whch IS developed based on the proposed control algorithm is present. Simulation and expenmental results w i t h vaned source and load condihons are descnbed to confirm that the new proposed control strategy acheves better performance for the active power filter than those obmed by using conventional IRP control strategies.
Keyword - Harmonics, univ power factor, achve power filter, mstantaneous reachve power theory, power disturbances, voltage distortion.

A concept that can improve the power quality is the active power filter [l-51. This type of filters can meet diverse load conditions. In addition to improve power factor, it also appears to be an attractive and viable method for reducing voltage and current harmonic distortion or other power quality problems such as flicker. The active power filter improves the system power quality by injecting equal-butopposite currents to compensate harmonic distortion and reactive power. Ideally. this active power filter should monitor and minimize voltage and w e n t distortion of its connected load [6-121.

L INTRODUCTION
Power system harmonics are not a new problem. Due to the widespread proliferation of nonlinear distorting loads such as power-electronic controlled devices, the problems caused by harmonics are of increasing importance. Unlike the conventional load, the power-electronic device controls the flow of power by chopping. flattening, or shaping the waveforms of the voltage and current. Therefore, harmonics are generated during the process. These waveform distortions can cause problems for neighboring loads, and they tend to have an overall opposite effect on the quality of electric power.

In the past some active power filters were designed based on the conventional IRP theory [6.7]. However, the IRP theory-based active filter can not compensate the harmonic distortion and does not function properly. In order to improve the drawbacks of the conventional IRP theory, a new instantaneous power theory-based algorithm is proposed for the control strategy of the active filter. Also, for verifying the performance of this algorithm, computer simulations and experiment are made. From the simulation and experimental test results, it is found that proposed new instantaneous power theory-based three-phase active power filter is to be an effective device to reduce harmonic current and to compensate reactive power.

I I . REVIEW OF THE INSTANTANEOUSREACTIVE POWER THEORY AND THE PROPOSED

INSTANTANEOUSPOWER THEORY
The drawbacks of the conventional instantaneous reactive power (IRP) theory include:
1) It can not compensate the harmonic current component

when the mains voltages are ideal (i.e. sinusoidal and symmetrical).
2) The mains currents are distorted when the line voltages

are distorted.
3) It can not solve the unbalanced load problem.

In order to solve the problems of conventional IRP theory,

a new instantaneous power algorithm is proposed for active

power filter.

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A. Review of Instantaneous Reactive Power Theory

The conventional instantaneous reactive power is defined in [6] and [ 7 ] . Figure 1 shows the active power filter for reactive power compensation. The instantaneous reactive power q supplied by the active power filter for each phase of the three-phase! four-wire system can be represented as

Since the system does not have the zero-sequence component, we have
I,

+iCb +lCC =o.

(6)

The optimal compensating currents ica, icb, and i, can be obtained from (4) (6) as

where ek is the line to neutral voltage and id is the injected compensating current from the active power filter.

icc=

2<e;t+ e;

+ e,' - e,eb

-ebe, - ecea

(9)

where q is is represented as

Assuming the power source is a balanced system, we have

Active Power Filter

I
Then, (7) - (9) can be simplifed and become (12) respectively.

Figure 1 Three-phase four-Wire activo power filter system

- (14),

Since the active power filter does not generate the instantaneous active power, the following constraint is imposed on (1):
z q k =O.
k

(2)

The compensating currents of the active power filter, I , and i, are determined to minimize the following selected performance function L, where
icb

A-2. Three-phase Four-Wire Active Power Filter

The three-phase four-wire active power filter system load currents ;la, ilb, and il, may contain the zero-sequence component. 'Because the performance function and the constraint are the same as those of the three-phase threewire system except (6), (4) can be minimized with the following currents: ea PI i, =ila 2 2 ' e, +eb +ec icb = lib ebPl 2 2 2' ea +eb +ec
'

This performance function. L,means that the source currents are to be minimized while satisfying the constraint of (2).
A-1. Three-phase Three-Wire Active Power Filter
The performance function and the constraint of the threephase three-wire active power filter system are

ecPI icc = ilc - e, 2 2 2 + eb +e,

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where p~is the instantaneous active power, and where

By using the reference voltage e,k to replace ek and the mean power p,,,, to replace pr in (13417), then i-, i&, and , i can be represented as
i,,
=ita
'

The compensating currents of (15)-(17) are obtained by abstracting the instantaneous active current from the load current. Therefore, the conventional IRP defined in (1) includes both the instantaneous reactive (imaginary) power and the instantaneous power of the zero-sequence component.

era Pim , 3E:

i,b = ilb

erb -, Plm

3E:

i,, = I ~ C,e m Plm

3E:

B . The Proposed Instantaneous Power Theory

for Active Power Filter
The proposed instantaneous power theory is based on the assumption that the mains currents i , i b , and , i must be ideal, and are in phase with the mains voltages. T h i s corresponds to taking the power from a undistorted and stiff power system. In this way only the alternate components of the power are interchanged between the load and the active power filter. It also means that the power supplied from the mains is the combination of the active power of the load and the filter loss. According to the aforementioned principle and (15)-(17), the reference voltage waveforms of active power filter can be generated. If we assume that the three-phase mains voltages are ideal, the desired mains currents can be represented as
i,k

where E, is the rms value of the reference voltages eh.

IIL SIMULATION,IMPLEMENTATIONAND EXPERIMENTAL RESULS

In order to realize the proposed algorithm, simulations are made and a 10-kVA prototype of active power filter is developed. Different load conditions such as lagging power factor and rectifier loads are extensively tested.
k Simulation Results

A control circuit of the active power filter based on (22) (24) is designed for simulation. The simulation results of the proposed algorithm are shown in Figures 2-4. In Figure 2, we see that the proposed algorithm is able to compensatethe

= We,,

(fork = a, b, c)

(19)

where

reactive power to unity power factor for a load with lagging power factor. Figure 3 shows that the proposed algorithm can keep the mains current nondistorted when supplying a nonlinear rectifier load. Figure 4 also shows that this algorithm can maintain the mains current nondistorted even when the mains voltage contains harmonics.

if power balance is obtained and the losses of active power filter is neglected. In (201,E is the r m s value of the mains voltage and PI,,, is the mean value of the instantaneous load power PIFrom (19) and (20), the reference current can be represented as
lsk

B. System Implementation
Figure 5 shows the configuration of the proposed active power filter. It is connected in parallel with the load. The power circuit consisted of voltage source PWM converter using six-pulse converter as the switching devices. The compensating power calculator is implemented based on the proposed instantaneous power theory for active power line conditioning, which is used to calculate the reference compensating currents. The current mode controller determines the PWM switching sequence by m e a n s of comparing current error signals, the different between reference compensate current and actual compensate current, with a &xed-frequency triangular Carrier signal. Thus the switching frequency of the power transistors is equal to the Eiequency of the triangular carrier signal. In order to have a correct compensation, the current error signal is transferred by the phase leading controller.

= ekpIm .

3E2

(fork = a, 6,c)

(21)

If the mains voltages are distorted, this implementation does not produce a correct calaulation of the instantaneous load power. In this case, the mains currents in (15)-( 17) also will be distorted. In order to overcome the above problems, a reference voltage generator is used. The generator generates a set of three-phase ideal reference voltages e& to keep in phase with the fundamental component of mains voltage by means of phase-locked loop (PLL) technique.

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4001

inductor value is primarily a function of the system volt-

a m p e r e rating and the range of harmonic levels of the load.

001

4 -20

2:y/fj

40 0

001

Time (a

002

0.03

Time
(c)

002

003

-401 0

001

Eme
(d)

002

003

Figun 2 Simulationresults of the proposed active power filter under the load with lagging power factor. (a) " svoltages @) load current^, (c) compensation current$ (d) mains currents

001 Time002
(C)

003

-U G 1-

001Time0.02

003

(d

4Wr

100 I

Figure 4 Simulation results of the proposed active power filter under the distcnted mams voltage (a) voltages, (b) load currents, (c) compensation currents, (d) mains currents.

001

m
Time

002

003

1 w i
0
100

0 . 0 1

T"
(b)

002

003

100 I

(a

1
t : ,

-1 000

5 0 1
001

i t !

002

003

Time

001

(4
1

Time (d1

002

003

50

Figure 5 The active power filter system

Figure 3 Simulationresults of the proposed active power filter under the rectifierload with harmonic current (a) mains voltages. (b) load currents, (c) compensate currents, (d) m a m currents, (e) the harmonic analysis of load cumat, (0 the harmonic analysis of mains cumnt.

To design the capacity of active power line conditioner depends on the order, amplitude and phase angle of the harmonics for which to be compensated [8]. A dc voltage source is realized with the capacitor Ck across the terminals of voltage source converter, as shown in Figure 5. The

Because of the reactive power f l o w is varied under Merent load conditions, the load condition must be considered to limit the fluctuation of dc capacitor voltage. In fact, compensation of phase unbalances andor harmo&s involve considerable energy transfer between load and storage element. which must be sized accordingly. In order to reduce the voltage rippIe in the dc bus, a larger dc capacitor is selected to include the require energy of low frequency power harmonics and zero-sequence component under unbalanced conditions. A simple low-pass filter consisting of Lf and C , as shown in Figure 5 , may be used at the output of the voltage source converter to reduce ripple voltage on the ac mains caused by switching actions of the voltage source converter. However, the possibility of oscillations in the presence of such a low-pass filter must be

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considered. If an adequate damping is not provided, a sustained oscillation may occur. For a good design, an additional damping resistor Rf is required.
C. Experimental Results
A prototype 'of active power filter has been implemented and is used to verify the performance of the proposed algorithm. The active power filter prototype is tested under different load conditions and shows a good accordance with the simulation results. The filter is not only for the reactive power compensation but also for the suppression of harmonics. Figures 6 and 7 show that various operation waveforms resulting from diverse functional tests of compensation which is without changing the main circuit configuration under different load conditions. The actual operation of the active power filter is tested with a lagging load and a rectifier load. The rectifier load is composed of a three-phase diode bridge rectSer with a smoothing inductor and resistor.

Figure 6(a) shows the relation of the mains voltage and the lagging load current. Figure 6(b) shows that the mains currents are closely in phase with the mains voltages after compensation. We see that the power factor is near unity after the reactive power is compensated for lagging load. The performance of the active power filter is demonstrated by comparing with the simulation results shown in Figure 2. Figures 7(a) and 7(b) show the waveforms before and after compensating a three-phase rectifier load, where the active power filter are used for mitigating harmonics and for compensating reactive power simultaneously. The performance of the active power filter is demonstrated by comparing the simulation results of Figure 3. It is found that the test results and the simulation results are i n good agreement.

(b)
Figure 6 Test waveforms for the load with lagging power factor (a) mains voltage (upper)vs. load current (lower) before compensation @) mains voltage (upper) vs. mains current (lower) after compensation

IV. CONCLUSIONS
The features of the active power filter based on the proposed instantaneous power theory algorithm are summarized as follows.
1) Improved compensating performance: The compensating performance is improved because the line current is compensated to sinusoidal and in phase with line voltage in any detrimental load case.
2) Easy design of large capacity and compact equipment:

Large capacity equipment can be readily designed with a simple main circuit configuration. 3) Wide application range: This device has a wide application range not only as an active conditioner suppressing harmonics but also as a flicker compensator or a high power factor and high performance active conditioner.

CO)
Figure 7 Tcst wavdomn for the d e r load (a) mainsvoltage (upper) vs. load current (lower) before compensation @) mains voltage (upper) v s . mains current (lower) after com+on

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Based on the test and simulation results. it is shown that the proposed instantaneous power theory based algorithm is to be a useful method for implementation of the active power filter.

R Fisher and R. Hok Three-phase Power Line Con&tioner for Harmomc Compensation and Power Factor Correction, Con$ Rsc. o f rhe I.!?EE-hiSAnnualhfeehng.pp. 803-807, October 1987.

V. REFERENCES
H. Aka@. A Nabae and S. Atoh, Control Straegy of Active Power Filters Using Multiple VoltagaSource PWM Converters, IEEE Trans. on U, Vol. IA-22, No. 3, pp. 460465, MaylJune 1986
W M. Grady, M. J Samoty~and A H. Noyola, Survey of m v e Power Line Conditioning Methodologies, IEEE Trans on Power Defrvery, Vol. 5, NO. 3, pp. 1536-1542. July 1990.

L T. M o m P. D.Ziogas and G. Joos, Analyis and Design of a Novel 3 - 0 Slid-State Power Factor Compensator and Harmonic Suppicnwr System IEEE Pans on U , Vol. IA-25, No. 4, July/August 1989.
J. D. V . Wyk, D. A Marshall and S. BoshoK Simulation and Experimental Study of a Reactwely Loaded PWM Converter as a Fast Source of Reactwe Power, LEEE Pans. on U, Vol. IA-22, No. 6, Novemberi/Dber 1985.

M. Aredes, K Heumann and E. H. Watanable, A Universal Active Power Line Conditioner, IEEE Trans on Power Delivery, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 545-551. April 1998.

H. Aka@. T r e n d s in Active Power Line Conditionem, IEEE Trans. on Power Electronrcs, Vol. 9. No. 3. pp. 263-268. May 1994. H. Aka$ and H Fujiy A New Power Line Conditioner for Harmonic Compensation in Power Systems. IEE!? Trans. on Power Delivery. Vol. 10, NO. 3, pp. 1570-1575, July 1995.

V I . BIOGRAPHIES
Shin-Ku~ Chew received h a Electrical Enpcenng Diploma h m NatIonal Taipei -Me of Tzchnology. Tapei. Tawan, in 1985. and the BSEE and MSEE degrees r f o m Natlonal Tawan M e of Tcchnoiogy and Natlonal Cheng Kung University. Taiwan in 1990 and 1992. respectively. H i s areas of interests include power system analysis. harmonics, power qualify, and power slectrolllcr He is currently with the Department of E l e c t r i c a lE n w e e r i n g at Chung Chou Jutuor College of Technology & Commerce, Chunghua, T a ~ w
Gary W.chnng, (x.194). received his Electrical Engheerhg Diploma

H. ..UCagi, New Trends in .Active Filters for Power Conditioners. IEEE Trans. on Industry Appbcahons, Vol. 32, No. 6, pp. 1312-1322.
NovembenDectmber 1996. I Talcahah, Anaiysis of Instantmzous Current and Power Using Space Swtching Functtons *Cot$ Aec. o f I . P E S C , pp. 4249,1988. T. FuruhashL S. Okuma and Y Uchikawa, A Study on the Theory of Instantaneous ReacZ~vtPower. IEEE Truns. on L4,Vol. IA-37. No 1, February 1990 L Mal-, L Rossetto and P . Tenti, .4ctive Filtas for Reactive Power Proc ofrbe I=-PESC, pp. 321-330. and H m m c Compensat~on, June 1986.

Natlonal Taipei Institute of Tzchnology. Taipei, Taiwan, in 1982. and the MSEE and PkD. degrees fiom National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Tawan, and the Umvers~ty of Texas at M n in 1988 and 1994, respectively. D r . Chang is currently w i t h the Department of Elecrncal Fqpeering at NatIonal Chung Cheng Umvemty, Chayl, Taiwan. HISareas of urterest d u d e power systems optirmzation, harmonics, and power quahty. D r . Chang IS a member of Tau Beta Pi and a reBstered professional e n p e e r m the state of
MinneSOta

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