Improved Operation of an UPQC by addition of a Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage system

Power quality is a fundamental concern in modern power grids. Since there is a very broad spectrum of causes for power quality depreciation, it is important to continuously develop devices that can overcome power quality problems in electric grids, thus increasing the quality of energy. Active power filters are one of the main class of devices whose applications are related to power quality improvement. In this paper, a combination of a Unified Power Quality Conditioner and a Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage system is considered and simulation results indicate that such hybrid system can be used to overcome power quality issues like harmonic distortion, voltage sags/swells and phase unbalance. The advantages of such combination are also discussed and results indicate that the addition of the superconducting device can increase the range of applications of the power active filter.