Comparative evaluation of average-model-based control schemes 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 and, therefore, contribute to the degradation of the power quality in the grid. 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. The issue of this paper concerns mainly the study and the performance evaluation of a series-type three-phase active power filter and, more specifically, addresses the question of how to control it in order to ensure a high power quality at the mains. Based on a state-space mathematical representation of the converter, two analog multiple-loops control schemes are presented and compared together in terms of line currents total harmonic distortion (THD). input power factor and DC voltage regulation. The comparison is made through simulation results that were obtained by implementing a digital version of the converter and the control schemes in Matlab/Simulink tool. Discussions are finally made in an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of each proposed control algorithm.