Improvement of Power Quality in Distribution System Using PV Integrated UPQC

The presented work proposes a methodology for the automated transition of a solar PV array integrated unified power quality conditioner (PV-UPQC) between standalone and grid-connected modes of operation. The system consists of a shunt and series active filters connected back-to-back with a common DC link, addressing the challenge of integrating power quality improvement with clean energy generation. The automated transition ensures continuous power supply to critical loads, even during grid unavailability. Key innovations include implementing this automated transition in the PV-UPQC system with minimal disturbance to local loads. The system’s performance is validated through experimental evaluation under various dynamic conditions, such as automated transition, supply voltage variations, grid unavailability, changes in solar power generation, and load variations – scenarios commonly encountered in modern distribution networks. The results are verified using MATLAB/Simulink simulations.