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2013 IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 16 012153
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4th International Conference on Energy and Environment 2013 (ICEE 2013) IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 16 (2013) 012153 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/16/1/012153
Power quality problems and solutions
A Atputharajah1, V K Ramachandaramurthy2, J Pasupuleti2
1
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Peradeniya,
Peradeniya, 20400, Sri Lanka
2
Power Quality Research Group, Department of Electrical Engineering, Universiti
Tenaga Nasional, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
E-mail: atpu@[Link], vigna@[Link]
Abstract. This paper addresses the power quality problems and solutions related to (i) wind
power generation and (ii) large industrial customers. Intermittent nature of wind power affects
the quality of its electrical power output. The usage of low cost energy saving equipments
also generates harmonics and voltage flicker thus affects the quality of supply voltage. A
wide rang of solutions are being already proposed with the development on power electronic
devices and electrical machines. This paper is organized to discuss the (i) power quality
problems in brief, (ii) four major developments in wind generator technologies and (iii)
solutions to large industrial customers using Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR), Active Power
Filter (APF) and Static Compensator (STATCOM). Finally development in power electronic
devices’ control is briefed in each of the devices, which has utilizes these power electronic
devices with integrated solutions to solve number of power quality problems.
1. Introduction to the power quality problems
The common power quality problems are voltage sag, voltage flicker, harmonics and switching
transients. Mostly these are caused by intermittent nature of the non conventional power generations,
large industrial non linear loads, power system faults due to thunder attack, transients due to
switching of capacitor and large load feeders. Malfunction of devices and random failures of
components are some results of power quality issues such as harmonic, voltage sags, flickering and
interruptions [1, 2].
The conventional power generation technologies are well developed and they produced high
quality of power. However, the popular renewable energy generation technologies, such as wind and
solar, were in developing phase to maximise the power extraction while satisfying the grid code
requirements. The research on wind generation technology and interconnection of solar plants using
power electronics has brought the power quality at the grid connection point within the acceptable
level [3]. The industrial loads are mostly driven by power electronic devices, which are mostly based
on chopping techniques of supply voltages to achieve energy efficient operations. These kind of large
industrial loads also severely affect the quality of power supply. However, the latest technologies on
rectifiers and variable speed drives, which are used by modernised industries, reduce the harmonic
injection. Some external devices such as APF (filter harmonics from load), DVR (compensate
voltage sag from supply), STATCOM (applied to both load and supply sides) are also used to
maintain power quality from both industries and utility [4].
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Any further distribution
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Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd 1
4th International Conference on Energy and Environment 2013 (ICEE 2013) IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 16 (2013) 012153 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/16/1/012153
2. Power quality improvement and development in wind generator technologies
Torque speed curve
10
5
1515 rpm
Torque [kNm]
Speed [rpm]
0
1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800
-5 s = -1.0 %
-10
Figure 1. Fixed Speed Induction Generator Technology
Fixed Speed Induction Generator (FSIG), shown in Figure 1, is one of the oldest generator
technology used in wind power development. Here, the generator speed is almost fixed with less than
5% of speed adjustment. Power Factor Correction capacitors are used at the generator terminal to
compensate the reactive power absorbed by the generator. The speed control especially at high wind
speeds is achieved by pitch control. Later this technology was improved with changing of number of
poles in two steps, which allows the turbine to operate around two speeds.
Pitch
controller
Wound rotor
induction generator
External variable
resistor
Figure 2. Opti-slip Induction Generator Technology
The second generation of the wind turbine was the opti-slip wind turbine, shown in
Figure 2. The wound rotor induction machines were used with an external resistor
bank at the rotor. The effective rotor resistance was varied through a power electronic
to vary the operating speed by about 10%. Hence, it improves the power quality and
reduces the mechanical loading on turbine components. However, the copper losses
across the rotor resistors decrease the efficiency of the wind turbine.
Pitch
controller
Wound rotor
induction generator
DFIG
IGBT PWM
converters
Crowbar
Torque Voltage or
control PF control
Figure 3: Doubly Fed Induction Generator Technology
2
4th International Conference on Energy and Environment 2013 (ICEE 2013) IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 16 (2013) 012153 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/16/1/012153
The Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) was introduced to cover larger speed
range, shown in Figure 3. The rotor can be operated at a different electrical frequency
by absorbing or injecting active power by the rotor converter. Hence, the generator
speed can be varied about 40% of its rated. Decouple operation of the DFIG results in
the following advantages: (i) terminal voltage or power factor control, (ii) reduced
mechanical stress, (iii) maximized power extraction and (iv) improved fault ride
through performance. However, fault transient affects the generator since the stator is
directly connected with the grid.
Pitch
controller IGBT PWM 1500 1550 1600 Speed [rpm]
Synchronous or induction converters
generator
Wind farm
frequency
-1.0
A
AC DC AC
Generator Grid side Torque
controller controller [p.u.]
Figure 4. Full Range wind Generator Technology
The full range wind generation technology is shown in Figure 4. The generator is
fully decoupled from the grid through a back to back voltage source converter. Since the
generator has the full control of speed and decoupled from the grid, any network
transients do not affect the generator dynamics and vice versa. The generator side
converter to supplies the reactive power and controls the generator torque by shifting
torque slip curve. The grid side converter maintains the dc link voltage at its reference
value by controlling the active power flow to the grid. Wide speed operation, flicker
elimination, direct control on real and reactive power, maximum power extraction,
reduced mechanical stress and full controllability during a fault are some of the
advantages exists in this wind turbines. The evolution of wind turbine technologies has
resulted in power quality issues such as flicker and harmonics. These issues can be
solved using a STATCOM or advance wind turbine controllers.
3. Power quality improvement at Industrial loads through power electronic devices
Figure 5. Dynamic Voltage Restorer for large industrial loads
3
4th International Conference on Energy and Environment 2013 (ICEE 2013) IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 16 (2013) 012153 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/16/1/012153
The DVR, shown in Figure 5, is used to compensate voltage sags, swells and flicker from power
grid and maintain the power quality at the load side. In DVR controls: pre-sag, in-phase and hybrid
of both compensation techniques have been well reported. Further, minimising energy storage
requirement is also addressed through reactive power injection to boost the voltage by injecting
voltage 90 degree leading with respect to load current [4, 5].
Figure 6. Active Power Filters (series and shunt)
The APFs are used to compensate or block the harmonic current injection from the industrial load
centres [6]. Shunt APF control technique extracts the harmonic current components from the
measured load currents and absorbs the harmonic current. Series APF block the harmonic current by
injecting voltage, which represent the high impedance to the harmonic while low impedance to the
fundamental. Therefore, it forces the harmonic current to be absorbed by the Passive Filter (PF). The
STATCOM is also has similar configuration of shunt APF but with system level control to look after
supply and load side problems [7]. All stable control technique must obtain the phase angle, where
the vector based PLL [8] shows excellent performance in the power system control applications.
4. Conclusion
This paper has summarized the development of wind generator technologies, power quality
improving devices for large industrial load customers with the brief on device integrated control
concepts. This overall analysis on solutions for power quality problem will help to develop a
premium city electricity supply concept.
References
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