Active filtering of electric power has now become a mature technology for harmonic and reactive power compensation in two-wire (single phase), three-wire (three phase without neutral), and four-wire (three phase with neutral) AC power networks with nonlinear loads. This paper presents a comprehensive review of active filter (AF) configurations, control strategies, selection of components, other related economic and technical considerations, and their selection for specific applications. It is aimed at providing a broad perspective on the status of AF technology to researchers and application engineers dealing with power quality issues. A list of more than 200 research publications on the subject is also appended for a quick reference.

A review of active filters for power quality improvement

In this paper, the principle of modularity is used to derive the different multilevel voltage and current source converter topologies. The paper is primarily focused on high-power applications and specifically on high-voltage dc systems. The derived converter cells are treated as building blocks and are contributing to the modularity of the system. By combining the different building blocks, i.e., the converter cells, a variety of voltage and current source modular multilevel converter topologies are derived and thoroughly discussed. Furthermore, by applying the modularity principle at the system level, various types of high-power converters are introduced. The modularity of the multilevel converters is studied in depth, and the challenges as well as the opportunities for high-power applications are illustrated.

Modular Multilevel Converters for HVDC Applications: Review on Converter Cells and Functionalities

Silicon carbide (SiC) power devices have been investigated extensively in the past two decades, and there are many devices commercially available now. Owing to the intrinsic material advantages of SiC over silicon (Si), SiC power devices can operate at higher voltage, higher switching frequency, and higher temperature. This paper reviews the technology progress of SiC power devices and their emerging applications. The design challenges and future trends are summarized at the end of the paper.

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/ielaam/41/8031005/7815312-aam.pdf

Review of Silicon Carbide Power Devices and Their Applications

There has been considerable interest in the development and applications of active filters because of the increasing concern over power quality, at both distribution and consumer levels, and the need to control reactive power and voltage stability at transmission levels. The existing approaches are classified and assessed to provide a framework of references for both researchers in this field and for generators, suppliers and consumers of electrical power who are, or may be, concerned about the problems associated with power quality and are considering installing active filters for their particular sets of problems.

Active power filters: a review

This article gives a survey of the commonly used methods for harmonic detection in active power filters (APFs). The work proposes a simulation setup that decouples the harmonic detection method from the active filter model and its controllers. In this way, the selected methods can be equally analyzed and compared with respect to their performance, which helps in anticipating possible implementation issues. A comparison is given that may be used to decide the future hardware setup implementation. The comparison shows that the choice of numerical filtering is a key factor for obtaining a good accuracy and dynamic performance of an active power filter.

Detection is key - Harmonic detection methods for active power filter applications

This paper presents a historical and philosophical perspective on a possible future for power electronics. Technologies have specific life cycles that are driven by internal innovation, subsequently reaching maturity. Power electronics appears to be a much more complex case, functioning as an enabling technology spanning an enormous range of power levels, functions and applications. Power electronics is also divided into many constituent technologies. Till now, the development of power electronics has been driven chiefly by internal semiconductor technology and converter circuit technology, approaching maturity in its internally set metrics, such as efficiency. This paper examines critically the fundamental functions found in electronic energy processing, the constituent technologies comprising power electronics, and the power electronics technology space in light of the internal driving philosophy of power electronics and its historical development. It is finally concluded that, although approaching the limits of its internal metrics indicates internal maturity, the external constituent technologies of packaging, manufacturing, electromagnetic and physical impact, and converter control technology still present remarkable opportunities for development. As power electronics is an enabling technology, its development, together with internal developments, such as wide bandgap semiconductors, will be driven externally by applications in the future.

On a Future for Power Electronics

The definitions of power are reviewed to establish a method for fictitious power measurement and to derive fictitious power compensation criteria in power systems with nonsinusoidal currents and voltages. A time-domain definition of power, using correlation techniques, is proposed. This leads to the proposal of a network parameter. A combination of digital and analog signal-processing techniques is proposed in the measurement and analysis of the components of power. The results of simulated and practical power measurements, the latter on an experimental electronic pulsewidth-modulated power converter, used for fictitious power compensation are given. >

Measurement and compensation of fictitious power under nonsinusoidal voltage and current conditions

Power semi-conductors are able to achieve switching transients within a few nanoseconds and possibly even faster. These fast switching transients will need to be measured and analyzed thoroughly. In this paper four different types of shunt constructions and installations are tested on the same power electronics circuit, giving widely diverse results. Interpreting and analyzing these measurement results will assist in developing accurate current measurement devices for fast switching transient power electronic converters of the future.

Some considerations for miniaturized measurement shunts in high frequency power electronic converters

In order to reduce the cost, size, and weight of power electronic systems, it has become necessary to integrate electromagnetic structures, which until now have been constructed with discrete components. This approach not only reduces the component count, but also gives much greater control over parasitic elements. In this article, the authors describe an electromagnetically integrated resistor-capacitor-diode (RCD) snubber/voltage clamp that uses a planar construction technique. The design and construction are described and the performance is verified experimentally. Some advantages of the integrated component over its discrete counterpart are also given. >

A planar integrated RCD snubber/voltage clamp

In this paper it is shown that conducted interference from a power converter differs when measured with and without a Line Impedance Stabilization Network (LISN) This is problematic as the true Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) of a converter is therefore difficult to characterize Possible reasons for this difference are discussed showing to the influence of a LISN on measurements

J. D. van Wyk

Papers

On a Future for Power Electronics

Measurement and compensation of fictitious power under nonsinusoidal voltage and current conditions

Some considerations for miniaturized measurement shunts in high frequency power electronic converters

A planar integrated RCD snubber/voltage clamp

Problematic aspects when using a LISN for converter EMI characterisation