A simple fuzzy logic based robust active power filter for harmonics minimization under random load variation

Widespread applications of power electronic-based loads continue to increase concerns over harmonic distortion. However, it is desired to draw purely sinusoidal current from the distribution network, but this is no longer the case with new generation loads, consisting of power electronic converters. The current harmonics produced by these non-linear loads further result in voltage distortion and leads to various power quality problems. This paper, therefore, deals with a simple fuzzy logic based robust active power filter to minimize the harmonics for wide range of variations of load current under stochastic conditions. The proposed control scheme is very simple and it is also capable of maintaining the compensated line currents balanced, irrespective of the unbalance in the load currents. The proposed methodology is extensively tested for wide range of variable load current under stochastic conditions and results are found to be quite satisfactory to mitigate harmonics and reactive power components from the utility current. The results presented in this paper clearly reflect the effectiveness of the proposed APF to meet the IEEE-519 standard recommendations on harmonic levels. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.