Design of a Modular UPQC Configuration Integrating a Components Economical Analysis

A design procedure to select the components in a modular unified power-quality conditioner configuration based on single-phase cells is presented. The procedure is based on the fact that the load and distributor operating conditions range are known and it is required to impose stiff operating conditions in both the load side (regulation) and the point of common coupling side (power factor). Due to the arbitrary number of cells to be used in a modular approach, the proposed design procedure allows to select the power semiconductors and capacitors based on an economical evaluation, so an optimal number of cells can be chosen to minimize the overall power cell cost. This design procedure is well suited for modular configurations, where several degrees of freedom are not covered if just technical criteria are followed. Thus, an economic approach can be used to select the appropriate components. The rest of the devices, i.e., the transformers turn ratio and passive filters, are chosen using classical design methods based on technical issues such that the power cells operate within its permissible ratings. A practical case evaluation is presented for a medium voltage system application.