Harmonic Mitigation and Energy Savings in 13.2 kV Distribution Feeders via P–Q-Based Shunt Active Filters and Luminaire Retrofit

This article designs and validates a P-Q-based shunt active power filter (SAPF) to mitigate voltage harmonics in EERSA’s 13.2 kV feeder 1500080T03. A CYMDIST feeder model, calibrated with field measurements, reveals worst-case voltage THD up to 9.48% due to legacy high-pressure sodium (HPS) street lighting. Co-simulation with a MATLAB/Simulink R2024b, controller guides the sizing of a 150 kVA SAPF at Substation 8. Simulations reduce peak THD at a representative node from 9.48% to 1.51%; replacing HPS with LEDs further improves efficiency while lowering distortion. The retrofit complies with IEEE Std 519-2022, enhances supply reliability, and yields an internal rate of return above 17%, indicating a technically and financially attractive solution for Latin American distribution networks.