Design and simulation of shunt active power filter for power system harmonics mitigation

Sequel to the wide increase of power electronics instruments in modern electrical systems, the increase of the harmonics interference in the power system; has become an important concern due to the terrible effects on all industrial equipment such as transformers, capacitors, cables and communication lines. The research project on design and simulation of Shunt Active Power Filter (SAPF) using Matlab Simulink was basically analyzing the collected data at the industry, comparing the analyzed data with the recommended standards as per IEEE and designing a proposed model of a Shunt Active Power Filter (SAPF) that will mitigate the harmonics level at the industry. This was done because of the abnormal performance of the capacitors reaching a point of being damaged due to resonance effect created by the harmonics from nonlinear loads and the heating issues of the main transformer at the industry. After the design of the filter was done, the design simulation results were compared with the analyzed data with respect to the IEEE standards. As from the results, it showed that the harmonics levels were remarkably reduced to a significant amount for the industry to maintain its production rate of 90%. The convenience of the simulation approach to APF is displayed so APF designers have a better perception using Matlab Simulink in order to evolve new APFs. To understand the harmonics phenomena, with the case study of ALAF steel industry it is necessary to analyze the distorted waveforms. This analysis is then applied to study the resonant conditions and harmonic filter design to ensure that the harmonic distortion are within specific limits. However, for the case of industrial implementation this research is going to increase the production of steel products and roofing sheets of the industry as the power factor will be improved to about 90%, the downtime and production cost will be reduced respectively.