A Power Electrical Signal Tracking Strategy Based on the Modulating Functions Method

The number of pieces of equipment based on static converters such as uninterrupted power systems, series or shunt compensators, and distributed generation systems is increasing in the actual power distribution systems. For correct operation in grid-connected condition, these equipment need the information about amplitude, phase angle, and frequency of the grid fundamental voltages and currents. Since noise, harmonic pollution, and frequency variations are common problems in the utility grid, then it is necessary to have systems able to extract information about the fundamental values from highly distorted signals. For these reasons, robust and accurate estimation and synchronization methods are necessary to obtain the aforementioned information also in noise environmental. This paper presents a power electrical signal tracking strategy consisting in the combined use of a simple and robust frequency estimation method based on modulating functions and an orthogonal system generator including the second-order generalized integrator. The proposed strategy has the advantages of a fast and accurate signal tracking capability and a good rejection to noise due to the low-pass filter properties of the modulating functions. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated through comparisons with existing methods performing simulated and laboratory experiments.