Shunt active filter with optimum reference generation algorithm for power factor and harmonic current compensation

This paper presents a shunt active power filter that uses an optimization algorithm for the harmonic reference current calculation. The algorithm is designed for an active filter that is initially rated for mitigation of only the harmonic currents given by non-linear industrial loads. To utilize the full power rating of the inverter and still be able to improve the power quality of a typical industrial plant, the algorithm takes into account the following power quality indices: total harmonic distortion, individual harmonic distortion and power factor. Therefore the proposed active filter control is able to compensate harmonic load currents as well as reactive load currents in an optimal way as long as the inverter output current is within the rated current. This optimization algorithm is verified by simulating several cases of practical interest.