Modern Optimal Controllers for Hybrid Active Power Filter to Minimize Harmonic Distortion

Abstract

Nowadays, AC distributed power networks are facing many challenges in guaranteeing and improving the required level of power quality indices in power networks with increasing nonlinear, time-variable and unbalanced loads. Power networks can benefit from avoiding and minimizing different AC problems, such as frequency fluctuation and Total Harmonic Distortions (THDs), by using power filters, such as Hybrid Active Power Filters (HAPFs). Therefore, attention towards responsible power quality indices, such as Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), Power Factor (P.F) and Harmonic Pollution (HP) has increased. THD and HP are important indices to show the level of power quality at the network. In this paper, modern optimization techniques have been employed to optimize HAPF parameters, and minimize HP, by using a nature-inspired optimization algorithm, namely, Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA). The WOA algorithm is compared to the most competitive powerful metaheuristic optimization algorithms: Manta Ray Foraging Optimization (MRFO), Artificial Ecosystem-based Optimization (AEO) and Golden Ratio Optimization Method (GROM). In addition, the WOA, and the proposed modern optimization algorithms, are compared to the most competitive metaheuristic optimization algorithm for HAPF from the literature, called L-SHADE. The comparison results show that the WOA algorithm outperformed all other optimization algorithms, in terms of minimizing harmonic pollution, through optimizing parameters of HAPF; therefore, this paper aims to present the WOA as a powerful control model for HAPF.