A new approach to load balancing and power factor correction in power distribution system

Abstract

This paper presents a new approach for generating reference currents for an active filter and/or a static compensator. It is assumed that the compensator is connected to a load that may either be connected in star or in delta. The load can be unbalanced and may also draw harmonic currents. The purpose of the compensating scheme is to balance the load, as well as make the supply side power factor a desired value. The authors use the theory of instantaneous symmetrical components to obtain an algorithm to compute three phase reference currents which, when injected to the power system, produce desired results. They also propose a suitable compensator structure that will track the reference currents in a hysteresis band control scheme. Finally, the feasibility of such a scheme is demonstrated through simulation studies.