Challenges, Solutions and Lessons Learnt from Testing Power System Performance with a General Power Theory-Controlled Converter

A novel control approach for power-electronic converters has been shown to reduce the losses in delivery systems to below the levels possible with conventional methods. In this research, an 80 kW converter was retrofitted to operate using the General Power Theory (GPT). The effect of compensation using the GPT in a three-bus test network was studied by Simulink simulation and in the physical power system infrastructure of the Power Networks Demonstration Centre. The simulation results demonstrated that the converter did not need the concept of reactive power for control and could improve the system power factor. The experimental measurements were used for comparison with the simulation results. Challenges faced during experimental testing are discussed. Solutions are proposed to resolve some of the measurement problems that hindered the full experimental validation at this stage. The practical lessons learnt are helpful for future tests and identified real-world issues that may be encountered during deployment.