Power factor optimization with switched-LC networks

A new reactive power compensator consisting of a set of parallel LC branches, which can be automatically switched, is proposed. This permits operation under nonsinusoidal conditions and time-varying loads. A control system, which measures the equivalent admittance on the load side, and sets the optimal LC configuration to minimize the reactive component of the line current, has been used. Thus, the synthesized compensator presents an equivalent harmonic-susceptance which is approximately equal (as given by its discrete structure) to that of the load (with opposite sign) within the appropriate frequency range. Numerical simulation and experimental results are presented