A Novel Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC) in Medium Voltage Distribution Networks to improve Power Quality

To enhance the power quality in medium-voltage distribution networks, particularly for sensitive loads, a Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC) device is proposed. The device combines both series and shunt active power filters to mitigate a wide range of power quality disturbances. These disturbances include frequency and voltage fluctuations, voltage sags, short-time interruptions, voltage flicker, harmonics, inter-harmonics, three-phase unbalance, and temporary over voltages. The UPQC's design incorporates a fixed voltage slow closed-loop control strategy that ensures stable operation by effectively compensating for disturbances in real-time. The power unit and the topology of the charging circuit are optimized to meet the demands of medium-voltage networks. Simulation and experimental results confirm that the UPQC significantly improves the quality of the power supply, providing reliable and stable voltage and current profiles for sensitive industrial and commercial applications. This approach offers a robust solution for addressing the challenges associated with maintaining high-quality power in medium-voltage distribution systems.