Particle Swarm Optimization of Passive Filters for Industrial Plants in Distribution Networks

Abstract

Single-tuned passive filters are considered one of the most effective and economical means of harmonic mitigation. One important factor to consider while designing passive filters is the source voltage harmonics. This article presents a novel approach based on a particle swarm technique to optimize the design of the single-tuned passive filters for industrial plants in distribution networks. The filter design problem is formulated as a non-linear programming problem, where the main objective is to minimize the load voltage total harmonic distortion, taking into account the source voltage harmonics. The optimal filter parameters are determined using particle swarm optimization with the static penalty constraint handling approach. The particle swarm optimization algorithm performance is tested on ten constrained non-linear programming benchmark cases and a previous filter design problem. Initial results show that single-tuned passive filters can fail to maintain harmonic levels within standard levels in the presence of voltage source harmonics. Thus, a new additional problem formulation is presented to determine the maximum allowable source voltage harmonics beyond which a single-tuned passive filter would fail to maintain voltage and current harmonics within the recommended levels. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the importance of taking into account source voltage harmonics in filter design.