Versatile unidirectional AC-DC converter with harmonic current and reactive power compensation for smart grid applications

This paper introduces a versatile unidirectional ac-dc converter with harmonic current and reactive power compensation. Since numerous unidirectional ac-dc converters can be connected with ac power systems, existing commercial converters possess the ability to improve substantially the stability of ac power systems by compensating harmonic current and reactive power. In this paper, the feasibility and limitations of the unidirectional ac-dc converter are explained when it is employed for harmonic current and reactive power compensation, and a control strategy for such functionalities is proposed. A MATLAB /Simulink model and a 1 kW dual boost PFC prototype board controlled by a digital signal processor are implemented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control method for improving power quality of the grid.