On some misinterpretations of the instantaneous reactive power p-q theory

The main features of the instantaneous reactive power (IRP) p-q theory, considered as a power theory of three-phase systems, are analyzed in this paper using the theory of the currents' physical components (CPC). This analysis shows that the p and q powers are not associated with separate power phenomena, but with multiple phenomena. Moreover, the results of the IRP p-q theory contradict some common interpretations of power phenomena in three-phase circuits. Namely, according to the IRP p-q Theory the instantaneous reactive current can occur even if a load has zero reactive power, Q. Similarly, the instantaneous active current can occur even if a load has zero active power, P. Moreover, these two currents in circuits with a sinusoidal supply voltage can be nonsinusoidal even if there is no source of current distortion in the load. The analysis shows that a pair of values of instantaneous active and reactive p and q powers does not enable us to draw any conclusion with respect to the power properties of three-phase unbalanced loads even in a sinusoidal situation. Thus, the instantaneous reactive power p-q theory does not identify power properties of such loads instantaneously. This conclusion may have an importance for control algorithms of active power filters. The paper reveals the relationship between the p and q powers and the active, reactive and unbalanced powers, P, Q, and D and specifies the required energy storage capability of active power filters operated under sinusoidal unbalanced conditions.