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 Chapter 5

Electromechanical Active Filter

as a Novel Custom Power Device (CP)

Ahad Mokhtarpour, Heidarali Shayanfar and Mitra Sarhangzadeh

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/55009

1. Introduction
One of the serious problems in electrical power systems is the increase of electronic devices
which are used by the industry as well as residences. These devices, which need high-
quality energy to work properly, at the same time, are the most responsible ones for
decreasing of power quality by themselves.

In the last decade, Distributed Generation systems (DGs) which use Clean Energy Sources
(CESs) such as wind power, photo voltaic, fuel cells, and acid batteries have integrated at
distribution networks increasingly. They can affect in stability, voltage regulation and
power quality of the network as an electric device connected to the power system.

One of the most efficient systems to solve power quality problems is Unified Power Quality
Conditioner (UPQC). It consists of a Parallel-Active Filter (PAF) and a Series-Active Filter
(SAF) together with a common dc link [1-3]. This combination allows a simultaneous
compensation for source side currents and delivered voltage to the load. In this way,
operation of the UPQC isolates the utility from current quality problems of load and at the
same time isolates the load from the voltage quality problems of utility. Nowadays, small
synchronous generators, as DG source, which are installed near the load can be used for
increase reliability and decrease losses.

Scope of this research is integration of UPQC and mentioned synchronous generators for
power quality compensation and reliability increase. In this research small synchronous
generator, which will be treated as an electromechanical active filter, not only can be used as
another power source for load supply but also, can be used for the power quality
compensation. Algorithm and mathematical relations for the control of small synchronous
generator as an electromechanical active filter have been presented, too. Power quality
compensation in sag, swell, unbalance, and harmonized conditions have been done by use

© 2013 Mokhtarpour et al., licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of
the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
80 An Update on Power Quality

of introduced active filter with integration of Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC). In
this research, voltage problems are compensated by the Series Active Filter (SAF) of the
UPQC. On the other hand, issues related to the compensation of current problems are done
by the electromechanical active filter and PAF of UPQC. For validation of the proposed
theory in power quality compensation, a simulation has been done in MATLAB/SIMULINK
and a number of selected simulation results have been shown.

A T-type active power filter for power factor correction is proposed in [4]. In [5], neutral
current in three phase four wire systems is compensated by using a four leg PAF for the
UPQC. In [6], UPQC is controlled by H∞ approach which needs high calculation demand. In
[7], UPQC can be controlled based on phase angle control for share load reactive power
between SAF and PAF. In [8] minimum active power injection has been used for SAF in a
UPQC-Q, based on its voltage magnitude and phase angle ratings in sag conditions. In [9],
UPQC control has been done in parallel and islanding modes in dqo frame use of a high
pass filter. In [10-12] two new combinations of SAF and PAF for two independent
distribution feeders power quality compensation have been proposed. Section 2 generally
introduces UPQC. Section 3 explains connection of the proposed active filter. Section 4
introduces electromechanical active filter. Section 5 explains used algorithm for reference
generation of the electromechanical filter in detail. Section 6 simulates the paper. Finally,
section 7 concludes the results.

2. Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC)

UPQC has composed of two inverters that are connected back to back [2]. One of them is
connected to the grid via a parallel transformer and can compensate the current problems
(PAF). Another one is connected to the grid via a series transformer and can compensate the
voltage problems (SAF). These inverters are controlled for the compensation of the power
quality problems instantaneously. Figure 1 shows the general schematic of a UPQC.

Figure 1. General schematic of a UPQC

A simple circuit model of the UPQC is shown in Figure 2. Series active filter has been
modeled as the voltage source and parallel active filter has been modeled as the current
source.
 Electromechanical Active Filter as a Novel Custom Power Device (CP) 81

Figure 2. Circuit model of UPQC

3. Connection of Electromechanical Filter

Figure 3, shows schematic of the proposed compensator system. In this research load
current harmonics with higher order than 7, has been determined as PAF of UPQC
compensator signal. But, load current harmonics with lower order than 7 and reactive
power have been compensated by the proposed electromechanical filter.

Figure 3. Proposed compensator system

4. Electromechanical Parallel Active Filter

Figure 4, shows the simple structure of a synchronous generator. Based on equation (1), a
DC field current of if produces a constant magnitude flux.

Nfif N f N si f
Ff  N f i f ,  f  , f   Mi f (1)
R R

As in [13] N f and N s are effective turns of the field windings and the stator windings,
respectively; Ff is the magnetomotive force; R is the reluctance of the flux line direction and
M is the mutual induction between rotor and stator windings. Speed of rotor is equal to the
synchronous speed ( ns  120 f ). Thus, the flux rotates with the angular speed of
p
82 An Update on Power Quality

2 ns
s  . So, stator windings passing flux has been changed as equation (2). It is
60
assumed that in t  0 , direct axis of field and stator first phase windings conform each
other.

 s  i f M cos(t ) (2)

The scope of this section is theoretically investigation of a synchronous machine as a

rotating active filter. This theory will be investigated in the static state for a circular rotor
type synchronous generator that its equivalent circuit has been shown in Figure 5.

Figure 4. Simple structure of synchronous generator

Figure 5. Equivalent circuit of synchronous generator

Equation (3) shows the relation between magnetic flux and voltage behind synchronous
reactance of the generator.

d s (t ) d(i f M cos(t )) d(i f cos(t ))

e   M (3)
dt dt dt
 Electromechanical Active Filter as a Novel Custom Power Device (CP) 83

Based on equation (3), if the field current be a DC current, the stator induction voltage will
be a sinusoidal voltage by the amplitude of M i f . But, if the field current be harmonized as
equation (4) then, the flux and internal induction voltage will be as equations (5) and (6),
respectively.

i f  I dc   I fn sin(nt   fn ) (4)
n

 f  i f M cos(t )  [ I dc   I fn sin(nt   fn )]M cos(t ) 

n
1 (5)
MI dc cos(t )  M  I fn[sin((n  1)t   fn )  sin((n  1)t   fn )]
2

1
eo  [ MI dc sin(t ) MI f 2 cos(t   f 2 )] 
2
(6)
1 1
 [ 2 MI f (n1)n cos(nt   f (n1) )  2 MI f (n1)n cos(nt   f (n1) )]
n 2

Equation (6) shows that each component of the generator output voltage has composed of
two components of the field current. This problem has been shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6. Relation of the field current components by the stator voltage components

It seems that a synchronous generator can be assumed as the Current Controlled System
(CCS). Thus it can be used for the current harmonic compensation of a nonlinear load ( I hn )
as parallel active filter.

5. Algorithm and method

From Figure 5, relation between terminal voltage of the generator and I hn can be derived as
equation (7).

eo  Vpcc  Zn I hn   Vn sin(nt   n ) (7)

n
84 An Update on Power Quality

Where, n is the harmonic order; Zn  R  jnX is the harmonic impedance of the synchronous
generator and connector transformer which are known, VPCC is the point of common
coupling voltage and I hn is the compensator current that has been extracted from the
control circuit.

If similar frequency components of voltage signal eo in equation (6) and eo in equation (7)
set equal, the magnitude and phase angle of the related field current components will be
extracted as:

For n=1:

1
 MI dc sin(t )  MI f 2 cos(t   f 2 )  V1 sin(t  1 ) (8)
2

1 1
[ MI dc  MI f 2 sin  f 2 ]2  [ MI f 2 cos  f 2 ]2  V1 (9)
2 2

1
MI f 2 cos  f 2
1 2
tan [ ]  1 (10)
1
 MI dc  MI f 2 sin  f 2
2

For simplicity equations (9) and (10) can be rewritten as follows:

1
X   MI dc  MI f 2 sin  f 2 (11)
2

1
Y MI f 2 cos  f 2 (12)
2

X 2  Y 2  V12 (13)

X  1 (14)
Y

From the above equations, magnitude and phase of the second component of filed current
can result in:

V1
X (15)
1  tan 2 1

X  MI dc
tan  f 2  (16)
X tan 1
 Electromechanical Active Filter as a Novel Custom Power Device (CP) 85

2( X  MI dc )
If2  (17)
M sin  f 2

For n≥2:

1 1
X MI f ( n 1)n sin  f ( n 1)  MI f ( n 1)n sin  f ( n 1) (18)
2 2

1 1
Y MI f ( n 1)n cos  f ( n 1)  MI f ( n  1)n cos  f ( n  1) (19)
2 2

Vn
X (20)
1  tan 2 n

X  0.5 Mn I f ( n 1) sin  f ( n 1)

tan  f ( n  1)  (21)
X tan  n  0.5 Mn I f ( n 1) cos  f ( n 1)

2( X  0.5 Mn I f ( n 1) sin  f ( n 1) )

I f ( n 1)  (22)
Mn sin  f ( n 1)

Where, M and  are the mutual inductance and angular frequency, respectively.
Obviously for the extraction of required components of filed current from the above
equations, first suggestion for DC and first order component of the field current are need.
Resulted field current can be injected via a PWM and current inverter to the field windings
of the synchronous generator. Figure 7, shows the control circuit of the electromechanical

Figure 7. Block diagram of the proposed active filter control

86 An Update on Power Quality

active filter. I h and I f are desired compensator current and calculated field current signal.
Detail of the proposed control circuit can be found in the equations (11) to (22). In the
present research controlled voltage source of MATLAB has been used instead of required
PWM and inverter. Constant and integrator coefficients in the PI controller have been
chosen 1000 and 200, respectively. As mentioned earlier first order load active and reactive
powers can be easily attended in the electromechanically compensated share of load current
for decrease of SAF and PAF power range of UPQC. This problem can control power flow as
well as power quality. In other word it can be possible to use a synchronous generator not
only for first order voltage generation but, also for the harmonic compensation too.

6. Results
For the investigation of the validity of the mentioned control strategy for power quality
compensation of a distribution system, simulation of the test circuit of Figure 8, has been
done in MATLAB software. Source current and load voltage, have been measured and
analyzed in the proposed control system for the determination of the compensator signals of
SAF, PAF and filed current of the electromechanical active filter. Related equations of the
controlled system and proposed model of the electromechanical active filter as a current
controlled source have been compiled in MATLAB software via M-file. In mentioned control
strategy, voltage harmonics have been compensated by SAF of the UPQC and current
harmonics with higher order than 7, have been compensated by PAF of UPQC. But, the total
of load reactive power, 25 percent of load active power and load current harmonics with lower
order than 7 have been compensated by the proposed CCS. This power system consists of a
harmonized and unbalanced three phase 380V (RMS, L-L), 50 Hz utility, a three phase
balanced R-L load and a three phase rectifier as a nonlinear load. For the investigation of the

Figure 8. General test system circuit

 Electromechanical Active Filter as a Novel Custom Power Device (CP) 87

voltage harmonic condition, utility voltages have harmonic and negative sequence
components between 0.05 s and 0.2 s. Also, for the investigation of the proposed control
strategy in unbalance condition, magnitude of the first phase voltage is increased to the 1.25
pu between 0.05 s and 0.1 s and decreased to the 0.75 pu between 0.15 s to 0.2 s. Table 1, shows
the utility voltage harmonic and sequence parameters data and Table 2, shows the load power
and voltage parameters. A number of selected simulation results will be showed further.

Voltage Order Sequence Magnitude (pu) Phase Angle (deg)

5 1 0.12 -45
3 2 0.1 0
Table 1. Utility voltage harmonic and sequence parameters data

Load Nominal Power (kVA) Nominal Voltage (RMS, L-L)

Linear 10 380V
Non linear 5 380V
Table 2. Load power and voltage parameters data

Figure 9, shows the source side voltage of phase 1. Figure 10, shows the compensator
voltage of phase 1. Figure 11, shows load side voltage of phase 1. Figure 12, shows the load
side current of phase 1. Figure 13, shows the CCS current of phase 1 that has been supplied
by the proposed active filter. Figure 14, shows the PAF of UPQC current of phase 1. Figure
15, shows the source side current of phase 1. Figure 16, shows the field current of the
proposed harmonic filter. Figure 17 and 18 show source voltage and load voltage frequency
spectrum, respectively. Figure 19 and 20 show load current and source current frequency
spectrum, respectively. Figure 21 and 22 show CCS and PAF frequency spectrum,
respectively. Table 3 shows THDs of source and load voltages and currents. Load voltage
and source current harmonics have been compensated satisfactory.
400

300

200

100
Voltage (V)

-100

-200

-300

-400
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2
Time (Sec)

Figure 9. Source side voltage of phase 1 (swell has been occurred between 0.05 and 0.1 sec and sag has
been occurred between 0.15 and 0.2 sec. Also, harmonics of positive and negative sequences have been
concluded between 0.05 to 0.2 sec)
88 An Update on Power Quality

150

100

50

Voltage (V) 0

-50

-100

-150
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2
Time (Sec)

Figure 10. Compensator voltage of phase 1 (compensator voltage has been determined for the sag,
swell, negative sequence and harmonics improvement)

400

300

200

100
Voltage (V)

-100

-200

-300

-400
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2
Time (Sec)

Figure 11. Load side voltage of phase 1 (sag, swell, harmonics, positive and negative sequences have
been canceled)

40

30

20

10
Current (A)

-10

-20

-30

-40
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2
Time (Sec)

Figure 12. Load side current of phase 1 (it is harmonized. It should be noticed that this current has been
calculated after the voltage compensation and thus voltage unbalance has not been transmitted to the
current)
 Electromechanical Active Filter as a Novel Custom Power Device (CP) 89

20

15

10

Current (A) 0

-5

-10

-15

-20
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2
Time (Sec)

Figure 13. Proposed CCS current of phase 1 (this current has been injected to the grid by the
electromechanical active filter. The solid line shows output current of filter and dotted line shows
desired current of filter)

40

30

20
Current (A)

10

-10

-20

-30
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2
Time (Sec)

Figure 14. PAF of UPQC current of phase 1 (this current has been injected to the grid by the parallel
active filter of UPQC)
40

30

20

10
Current (A)

-10

-20

-30

-40
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2
Time (Sec)

Figure 15. Source side current of phase 1 (harmonics and reactive components of load current have
been canceled)
90 An Update on Power Quality

1400

1200

Current (A) 1000

800

600

400

200
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2
Time (Sec)

Figure 16. Field current of proposed harmonic filter (field current is controlled for the load active,
reactive and harmonic current compensation)

350

300

250
Amplitude (V)

200

150

100

50

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1,0001,100 1,200 1,300 1,400
Frequency (Hz)

Figure 17. Source side voltage frequency spectrum

350

300

250
Amplitude (V)

200

150

100

50

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400
Frequency (Hz)

Figure 18. Load side voltage frequency spectrum

 Electromechanical Active Filter as a Novel Custom Power Device (CP) 91

45

40

35

30
Amplitude (A)
25

20

15

10

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400
Frequency (Hz)

Figure 19. Load side current frequency spectrum

35

30

25
Amplitude (A)

20

15

10

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400
Frequency (Hz)

Figure 20. Source side current frequency spectrum

12

10

8
Amplitude (A)

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400
Frequency (Hz)

Figure 21. Proposed current controlled system frequency spectrum

92 An Update on Power Quality

1.4

1.2

1
Amplitude (A)

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400
Frequency (Hz)

Figure 22. Parallel active filter frequency spectrum

VS THD IL THD VL THD IS THD

0.1561 0.1179 .001 .0012

Table 3. Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)

7. Conclusions
It is known that use of small synchronous generators in distributed generated networks can
reduce transmitted active and reactive powers from the main source and consequently line
losses. In this research power quality compensation was done by composition of UPQC and
synchronous generators as electromechanical active filter. In other word, by proper
determination and control of synchronous generator field current it could be used as
controlled current source for power quality compensation. This was for reduction of UPQC
power rating in the distributed generated networks. Also, an algorithm was investigated for
the determination of the reference field current. Proposed CCS modeling was implemented
based on the mentioned related algorithm in MATLAB software. Control strategy had three
instantaneously stages. Voltage harmonics were compensated by SAF of the UPQC. Current
harmonics with higher order than 7 were compensated by PAF of the UPQC. Lower order
current harmonics, load reactive power and a part of load active power were compensated
by the proposed controlled current source. Total harmonic distortion of load voltage before
compensation was 0.15 which was reduced to almost zero after compensation. Also, total
harmonic distortion of the source current before compensation was 0.12 which was reduced
to almost zero after compensation.
 Electromechanical Active Filter as a Novel Custom Power Device (CP) 93

Author details
Ahad Mokhtarpour, Heidarali Shayanfar and Mitra Sarhangzadeh
Department of Electrical Engineering, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz,
Iran

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94 An Update on Power Quality

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