STRATEGY FOR THE OVERALL CORRECTION OF POWER QUALITY IN DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Proliferation of pollutant loads and distributed generation in distribution networks leads to pursue strategies of overall instead of local correction of power quality. The use of an active power filter for correction of harmonic distortion in distribution networks with pollutant loads is studied in this aper. The action of the active power ? lter is assessed as a power quality corrective device, in situations in which the number of filters is lower than the number of pollutant loads. The objective is to look for overall correction strategies in networks instead of local correction strategies with the consequent equipment cost saving. With that aim, a performance strategy for the active power filter inspired in perfect harmonic cancellation is proposed. The analysis is performed by a harmonic power flow algorithm. The effectiveness of an active power filter for the power quality of the voltage in nodes of a radial and a meshed network and the influence of its location is analyzed, when more than one pollutant load exist. The operation strategy of the active power filter has proved to be effective in the reduction of voltage harmonic distortion in nodes, as an overall correction system. Its usefulness for distribution companies or individuals who own distribution lines is shown, with an important investment cost saving.