Simulation of a single phase active voltage regulation system for residential applications

Abstract

The paper is concerned with the simulation of an active voltage regulator aimed at compensating voltage drops and swells in the LV Maltese network. The system makes use of isolated transformer units which are switched by a system of thyristors. The system was tested to operate at low loads up to rated load current and also during reverse power flow (during excess generation). This type of compensation system shall allow installed PV systems to continue supplying energy into the grid even during the presence of high supply voltages. The proposed regulator has several advantages over other topologies as it uses a simple control algorithm, has low operational losses, makes use of reliable power semiconductors and has an extendable operating voltage range.