A new nonlinearity-compensation-based multiple-loops control scheme applied to a three-phase series active power filter for voltage harmonic cancellation

Power electronic loads exhibit voltage and current harmonics into the utility system. Active power filters, which are classified into shunt and series ones, have been developed in order to reduce these harmonics and to preserve an acceptable power quality at the mains. This paper presents a detailed study of a series active power filter. First, a low-frequency mathematical model of the series active filter is presented. Then, it is on the basis of this model that a suitable multiple-loops control scheme is designed in order to ensure to the system good performance in term of power quality. The development of the control law is based on the use of the input/output feedback linearisation theory. This approach allows the compensation of the nonlinearities that appear in the model. Simulation results are finally shown and discussed in an attempt to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.