A high density converter for mid feeder voltage regulation of low voltage distribution feeders

The paper proposes a power electronic converter to solve the problem of voltage constrained Low Voltage (LV) distribution cables where spare thermal capacity is available. The converter utilises a high frequency AC link inverter as part of a shunt/series topology similar to that of a Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC). The design of the converter is described with reference to the criteria that it should be as compact as possible, hence large 50Hz transformers are rejected in favour of a small high frequency transformer. A simulation is developed and the performance of the converter analysed with respect to efficiency. It is concluded that a device such as that described could form the basis for a power electronic solution to the problem of voltage constrained feeders on a low voltage distribution network.