Advanced Single-Phase to Three-Phase Power Conversion Systems for Medium and Low Voltage Single-Phase AC Systems in Remote Areas

Single-phase medium or low voltage distribution networks remain the predominant choice in remote or rural areas, largely due to historical and economic considerations. As economic development progresses, the demand for high-quality three-phase power systems in these regions has increased steadily. To address the challenge of providing three-phase power in remote areas, this article introduces a single-phase to three-phase power flow controller (1PH–3PH PFC) for medium and low voltage distribution networks. The proposed system includes a reverse YNd11 transformer and three half-bridge converters, which have been specifically designed to mitigate grid voltage disturbances, including sags, swells, and harmonics, that may impact loads. Furthermore, the system ensures unit power factor operation while eliminating harmonic currents from the loads. The control strategy incorporates output voltage feedforward and weighted average feedback of the filter inductor current, thereby enhancing system responsiveness. Furthermore, the power flow of apparent and active power under various voltage fluctuation scenarios is analyzed. The proposed scheme is validated through simulation and hardware-in-the-loop experiments. The research results indicate that, in comparison to the UPQC-1Ph–3Ph scheme, the 1PH–3PH PFC solution significantly reduces the converter design capacity, with potential savings of up to 60% of capacity under conditions of a 25% voltage sag.