Applications of Smart Grid through Harmonic Current & Reactive Power Compensation

Power factor correction (PFC) is a mandatory functionality of electronic products in the industrial and commercial market in order to mitigate grid harmonics and operate a power system economically. Since the load characteristics of most PFC applications such as home appliances, battery chargers, switched mode power supplies and other digital products support unidirectional power flow, the general ac-dc boost converter with step-up chopper is considered a popular topology. This is because they are low cost, simple, and their performance is well-proven. Its main task inside the system is to maintain dc-link voltage constantly in order to feed loads at different power ratings. In addition, it is necessary to control input current with a pure sinusoidal waveform in phase with input voltage. Active power filters (APF) are another approach capable of improving grid power quality. Many research endeavors have included APFs in their circuit topologies and control strategies. Unlike PFC circuits, the APF is a system in itself which provides compensation of harmonics and reactive power in order to reduce undesirable effects from non-linear loads and uncontrolled passive loads in power systems.