Geometric Algebra in Nonsinusoidal Power Systems: A Case of Study for Passive Compensation

Abstract

New-generation power networks, such as microgrids, are being affected by the proliferation of nonlinear electronic systems, resulting in harmonic disturbances both in voltage and current that affect the symmetry of the system. This paper presents a method based on the application of geometric algebra (GA) to the resolution of power flow in nonsinusoidal single-phase electrical systems for the correct determination of its components to achieve passive compensation of true quadrature current. It is demonstrated that traditional techniques based on the concepts of Budeanu, Fryze or IEEE1459 fail to determine the interaction between voltage and current and therefore, are not suitable for being used as a basis for the compensation of nonactive power components. An example is included that demonstrates the superiority of GA method and is compared to previous work where GA approaches and traditional methods have also been used.