Mitigation of Harmonic Distortions with Shunt Active Harmonic Filter using SVPWM Technique

The extensive use of non-linear loads causes severe power quality issues especially harmonic distortions in the power system. Harmonic distortions could result into overheating and failure of transformer and electric machines. In this study, a three-phase shunt active harmonic filter (SAHF) is developed to mitigate the harmonic distortions. The synchronous reference frame (SRF) or known as the DQ Theory is applied for reference currents calculations. The firing pulses of the insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) are generated using space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) technique. Two cases are investigated, namely the system with 6-pulse rectifier loads, and the system with 12-pulse rectifier loads. From the simulation results, the total current harmonic distortion (THDi) at the point of common coupling (PCC) for the 6-pulse and 12-pulse rectifier loads have been mitigated from 26.8% and 9.16% to 1.86% and 3.33%, respectively. The three phase shunt active harmonic filter (SAHF) has successfully reduce the THDi below the statutory limit of IEEE 519:2014 standard.