Mitigation of Total Harmonic Distortion on Industrial Feeders

Abstract

This project report contains a detailed record all the project activities that were involved in finding the most effective way of mitigating the level of Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) on industrial feeders by undertaking a comparative analysis between two Flexible Alternating Current Transmission devices (FACTS devices) namely; the Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC) and the Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) considered as THD mitigation measures. The methodology employed here involved first obtaining the relevant data essential for modelling of the case study Network, followed by modelling the two devices under consideration and the case study network in MATLAB/Simulink. Four options for using the UPQC and the STATCOM for THD mitigation were considered and simulations were performed to monitor the THD suppression achieved for each option while keeping an eye on the effect of each option on other network parameters specifically considering the per unit voltage values at various system buses. The overall network performance for each option was obtained using the weighted performance index and key results were the final overall ratings obtained from the index for each of the options which were 94.66%, 95.2%, 97.16% ,96.10% for options 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. This clearly exhibited that option 4 was the best and the conclusion highlighted employing the STATCOM and the UPQC jointly would enhance the integration of the excellent characteristics and varying capabilities from each of the two individual devices for the best general network performance. Finally, as a recommendation, the joint application of the above two devices on the case study feeder specifically, in a such way that the UPQC is positioned first in line from the load end would actually decrease the current level of THD while providing the best overall performance.