Unified Power Quality Conditioner

Project Title

Unified Power Quality Conditioner

Project Area of Specialization Artificial IntelligenceProject Summary

Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC) is an integration of Series and Shunt Active Power Filter (APF).

Series and Shunt Active Power Filters mitigate the voltage and current harmonics respectively. As a result, it will reduce both current and voltage Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). Therefore, UPQC is responsible to maintain both current and voltage harmonics within the range of IEEE standards.

Project Objectives

More and more power electronics devices are being used in both industrial and consumer applications which cause significant power quality issues which results in both reduced life cycle of devices and increased financial losses.

Power electronics devices are non-linear in nature and they pollute the electrical power system by injecting harmonics, hence reducing power quality of the system. The result of poor power qualities are voltage sag, swell, momentary interruption, under voltage and over voltage. As an end result, consumers have to bear heavy penalties because of violating power quality standards.

UPQC is particularly aimed to overcome this issue of low power quality.

Project Implementation Method

In UPQC, voltage and current harmonics are compensated through two Voltage Sourced Inverters (VSI). 

The project is divided into two parts. First part consists of source and a non-linear load (rectifier in our case). Second part consists of measuring circuits, microcontroller (ARM M4 Cortex), and inverters.

First of all, instantaneous values of current and voltage are measured using Hall-effect sensor and Potential Transformer (PT) respectively. These values are passed on to microcontroller with the help of interfacing circuits.

In the second stage, Clarke and Park transformation are applied on measured values to separate fundamental and harmonic content which are compared in order to calculate difference between reference and actual values. The difference will be the compensation value but with 180 degrees phase shifted.

In the third and last stage, the difference (error) is forwarded to Hysteresis Loop Control, which is responsible to generate control signals for inverters. Therefore, inverters will cancel out harmonics by injecting anti-harmonics.

Benefits of the Project

Passive filters can mitigate harmonics of specific order, while, UPQC is capable of compensating harmonics of any order. 

UPQC can be used by both utilities and consumers. 

Usage of UPQC will result in reduction in financial losses, required power rating and excessive heating of components. As a by-product, it will also improve power factor.

Another beneficial feature of UPQC is its ease of use. One only needs to connect PT and current sensor to power supply and it will operate.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

At 1kilo watts load, our project will be able to reduce Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), improve power factor and compensate voltage sags and swells. 

We will be comparing system parameters like THD and power factor before and after filtering.

Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemType of Industry Energy Technologies Clean TechSustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean EnergyRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	29350
Inverters	Equipment	2	1500	3000
TM4C123G Development Board	Equipment	2	2750	5500
Coupling Transformers	Equipment	2	2500	5000
Batteries	Equipment	2	2000	4000
Panel with Auxiliaries	Equipment	1	10000	10000
Measuring Circuit	Equipment	1	500	500
Rectifier Circuit	Equipment	1	200	200
Terminal Box	Miscellaneous	1	300	300
Resistors	Miscellaneous	50	2	100
MOSFETS	Miscellaneous	10	30	300
Capacitors	Miscellaneous	10	5	50
PCB Fabrication	Miscellaneous	4	100	400