Performance analysis of unified power quality conditioner in a grid connected PV system

In this paper the performance of Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UpQC) has been discussed for a Grid-connected Photovoltaic System. The described methodology focuses on Constant Sinusoidal Current Control Strategy based simulation of UPQC. The proposed methodology guarantees sinusoidal current to be drawn from the supply system even in case of non-linear loads. The system performance under variable solar irradiance condition has been observed to be invariable. It is found that UPQC is able to supply the harmonic power, so that harmonic components are not drawn from the supply system. The UPQC not only deals with harmonic power of the load but also deals with zero sequence power owing to imbalances in the power system. Simulation studies of UPQC for Three Phase Four Wire system with neutral point clamped topology has been performed using MATLAB R2016a for combination of Linear and non-linear loads. Results of the simulation study reveal that the current obtained from the supply system is apparently sinusoidal with a very low THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) within 0.6 percent.