Open Collections

Smart electronic loads for harmonic compensation in future electrical distribution systems

University of British Columbia

Common solutions to mitigating harmonics and improving power quality of power systems would include installing dedicated passive or active harmonic filters at the point of common coupling (PCC). However, as the complexity of energy systems increases with integration of renewables and storage systems on the one side, and the number of electronic loads increases rapidly on the other, the centralized compensation of harmonics may not be cost effective. At the same time, many modern loads and energy sources have high–bandwidth front–end power converters that present an opportunity for alternative solutions to improve power quality. This thesis presents a new methodology to compensate harmonics. Utilizing widely deployed smart meters, the measured information of harmonics can be transmitted in real time through the internet to smart electronic loads, where the loads can inject out–of–phase harmonics for compensation in a distributed fashion. First, this thesis investigates the feasibility of using smart meter measurements in the Fred Kaiser Building on the University of British Columbia (UBC) Vancouver campus, which are then used to demonstrate potential harmonic compensation using installed grid–tied converters. Next, since many modern single–phase electronic loads include a power factor correction (PFC) stage, this thesis develops a PFC controller algorithm to inject typical harmonics (i.e. 3rd, 5th, and 7th) at different levels and phase angles for compensation. This concept is further extended to smart LED drivers that also have a PFC stage, which are envisioned to have advanced power quality features. Such smart electronic loads and LED drivers can be integrated into future distribution systems of residential/commercial buildings, microgrids, etc., with distributed controls and communications through Internet of Things (IoT)/advanced user interfaces.

Text

2017-11-08

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/63569

Electrical and Computer Engineering

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/