Approach to unbalance power active compensation under linear load unbalances and fundamental voltage asymmetries

This paper proposes a new definition of the unbalance power that allows the selective compensation of inefficiencies caused by linear loads by means of a three-phase shunt active power compensator (APC). Symmetrical components of current and voltage are used to evaluate the unbalance power in these systems and to define the compensating currents. The instantaneous power flows with unbalanced linear loads connected to a three-phase electrical system are analyzed following the normal procedure used for the quantification of the reactive power. Equations to calculate the unbalance power and the effective apparent power are obtained from the analysis of the instantaneous power flows. The output currents of the selective APC are defined using the instantaneous unbalance power approach. Power quantities and APC compensating current are defined for IEEE Std. 1459 and for the instantaneous unbalance power approach. Two examples are used to compare the power quantities and the APC operation. The main effects of unbalanced linear load and of fundamental voltage asymmetries are analyzed. Simulations of a shunt APC emphasize the advantages of the calculation of the compensating currents based on the proposed instantaneous unbalance power approach. A comparison with the results obtained by calculation of the compensating currents based on IEEE Std. 1459 is carried out. A new power factor is also defined and compared with other conventional definitions.