With the increased cases of air pollution in the US and all around the world, the need to have clean energy sources has been the agenda of energy summits. We have experienced increased levels of greenhouse gasses and hence the temperature levels [1]. As a result, seasons have changed, and food production lowered as well. This has brought too much pressure on the government to find alternative means to feed the growing population. An alternative has been to make genetically modified foods and fast food markets. However, the same cycle repeats itself as these companies still need the energy to be able to run their operations. Whether in the transport sector, health sector or industry, energy is always a primary requirement and must be used and regulated considerably. However, even though there is a challenge in the type of energy used, much more challenge falls in the tapping and use of the power. Most of the organizations are losing electronic gadgets due to burnouts. Most of the power harnessed and especially those from renewable sources like wind and solar are not well harmonized and eventually end up burning up the electronic gadgets. The main reason is that the power is usually not continuously monitored and at times it is tapped directly and connected to the devices without the use of inverters. There is a need to come with a way of ensuring the drives provide a stable supply of power.
Objectives
Carry out a study of different drive systems to investigate the type of harmonic compensators and combination of AC and DC inverters used.
Assess the effect of varying loads on the drives.
Create a model that can be used to assess the changes.
Use the system to analyze the impact of harmonic compensations, system stability and impedances on the power sources.
Background
In most of the environments involving the use of extensive power as in the industries and organizations, many electrical drives are used. Any electronic component like computers, production lines, and office accessories requires the use of stable power supply. The gadgets can either be dc or ac type. In either case, an inventor is required for the equipment to draw just enough amount of power efficiently [2]. The commonly used types of inverters are the standalone type where one inverter feeds a line of gadgets. However, there is also a need to have harmonic compensators to help govern the harmonics transferred in the reach and upstream so that they remain within the stipulated standards. Most of the times, capacitors are used for compensation of local loads and usually serve as LC filters of harmonic currents when used in series. These are the active types. Dynamic types are controlled dynamically by use of power electronics. However, the system harmonic impedances keep on changing bringing about irregular resonance between the compensating capacitors and the source impedance [3]. The currents introduced by the non-uniform loads at certain points in the distribution system causes unwanted harmonic distortions at other uniform loads. They thus require all time monitoring. The project will help me to experience the problems that the industrial sector faces and also be able to exercise with real systems. It will also help me to solve the challenges that come with the current technology electronic gadgets that are connected to the power systems.
User Requirement
Most small-scale entrepreneurs do not have access to systems that they can use to monitor their power use and eventually end up losing a lot in case of high impedances. The aim of this project is to make a system that can be easily used by any person using power drives or in an industrial setup. On completion of the project, the user can easily access the model system through their computers. They are only required to have access to digital measuring devices like meters with digital displays. Once the parameters like input power and current, and size of load are fed into the system, it will be able to simulate the current effects on the output.
Proposed Approach
The first step will be to do a thorough research on the currently used types of inverters and harmonic compensators. This involves visiting the school workshop and laboratories where they have many electrical drives. Data will be collected regarding the types and amount of loads that are specified by the manufacturers. Also, data regarding cases of breakdown of gadget failure will be recorded and the proposed cases. The effects of changing loads will also be investigated especially regarding the changes in overall output currents and voltages. The over and under-compensation of harmonics and input impedances shall be examined as regards the stability of the system. This data will then be analyzed by use of statistical models. The results gotten from the analysis will then be used to create a system model using either Simulink or Matlab. The model will entail major power systems and their associated drives. The entire output would be to be able to reduce the voltage distortion in the drives while holding the displacement factor at the expected levels. The system will be able to calculate the value of capacitor compensation required and hence the value of reactors to use.
References
[1] US Standards and Accreditation for Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy. (2013). Distributed Generation & Alternative Energy Journal, 28(1), 5-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080 /2156330 6.2013.10596278
[2] Miret, J., Castilla, M., Matas, J., Guerrero, J., & Vasquez, J. (2009). Harmonic-Compensation Control for Single-Phase Active Power Filter With High Harmonic Rejection. IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., 56(8), 3117-3127. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/tie. 2009.2024662
[3] Bland, M., Wheeler, Clare, J., & Empringham, L. (2003). Comparison of Losses in Direct AC-AC Converters and Voltage Source Inverters. EPE Journal, 13(1), 46-51. http://dx. doi.org/10.1080/09398368.2003.11463525
