On the possibilities of electric power quality control via electric loads with active rectifiers

The paper proposes a method for controlling the electric power quality parameters in a distribution network by modifying the control algorithms for electric loads equipped with active rectifiers fed from this network. Thus, by controlling the reactive component of the input current of such rectifiers, it is possible to reduce the voltage fluctuations at the point of common connection (PCC), the efficiency of such a method being higher the higher the X/R ratio of the network is. It is also possible to reduce the voltage harmonics in the PCC by integrating the functions of parallel active filters into active rectifiers. The proposed method allows for limited control over the flow of inactive power in the distribution network, which makes it possible to improve the electric power quality and reduce the required power of the filter compensating devices. The proposed algorithm for controlling the active rectifier is tested on the mathematical model of group loads. A group of high power resistance welding machines (RWMs) operating randomly with a normal probability distribution connected to 0,4 kV grid as a non-stationary load is used. The application of the proposed reactive current control method in the RWM power supplies made it possible to reduce the voltage fluctuations in 0,4 kV grid from 12% to 5%