European Journal of Scientific Research

ISSN 1450-216X Vol.30 No.4 (2009), pp.677-684

EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2009
http://www.eurojournals.com/ejsr.htm

Single Phase Unified Power Flow Controller

(UPFC): Simulation and Construction

Nashiren.F. Mailah
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor
E-mail: nashiren@eng.upm.edu.my

Senan M. Bashi
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor
E-mail: senan@eng.upm.edu.my

Abstract

Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) is used to control the power flow in the
transmission systems by controlling the impedance, voltage magnitude and phase angle.
This controller offers advantages in terms of static and dynamic operation of the power
system. It also brings in new challenges in power electronics and power system design. The
basic structure of the UPFC consists of two voltage source inverter (VSI); where one
converter is connected in parallel to the transmission line while the other is in series with
the transmission line. The main scope of this paper involves the designing of a single phase
UPFC using Matlab and Simulink software, and constructing a lab scale model of the
UPFC. A microcontroller program has been developed to provide the required phase shift.
The experimental result which has been obtained from a lab scale system showed a good
agreement with the simulation result.

1. Introduction
As the power systems are becoming more complex, it requires careful design of the new devices for the
operation of controlling the power flow in transmission system, which should be flexible enough to
adapt to any momentary systems conditions. The operation of an ac power transmission line, are
generally constrained by limitation of one or more network parameters and operating variables [1].
Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System or FACTS is a technology introduced by
Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI) in the 80s [2]. Its principle role is to increase the
transmission capacity of the ac lines and to control power flow over designated transmission lines.
FACTS technologies involve conversion and switching of power electronics in the range of a few tens
to few hundred megawatts [3]. New solid state self commutating devices such as MOSFETs, IGBTs,
GTOs and also other suitable power electronic devices are used as controlled switches in FACTS
devices [4].
The universal and most flexible FACTS device is the Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC).
UPFC is the combination of three compensators characteristic; i.e. impedence, voltage magnitude and
phase angle, that are able to produce a more complete compensation.
In this paper, the work revolves on the development of a single phase UPFC, drawn and
simulated through Matlab and Simulink software. The effect of the phase shift, produced by the
UPFC are noted and compared with the results obtained from the lab scale model of the UPFC. The
Single Phase Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC): Simulation and Construction 678

required phase shift of the model is generated from a Programmable Interface Controller (PIC). A good
agreement has been obtained between the simulation and experimental results.

2. UPFC Construction
The UPFC consists of two voltage source converters; series and shunt converter, which are connected
to each other with a common dc link. Series converter or Static Synchronous Series Compensator
(SSSC) is used to add controlled voltage magnitude and phase angle in series with the line, while shunt
converter or Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) is used to provide reactive power to the ac
system, beside that, it will provide the dc power required for both inverter. Each of the branches
consists of a transformer and power electronic converter. These two voltage source converters shared a
common dc capacitor [5].
The energy storing capacity of this dc capacitor is generally small. Therefore, active power
drawn by the shunt converter should be equal to the active power generated by the series converter.
The reactive power in the shunt or series converter can be chosen independently, giving greater
flexibility to the power flow control. The coupling transformer is used to connect the device to the
system. Figure 1 shows the schematic diagram of the three phase UPFC connected to the transmission
line.

Figure 1: Schematic diagram of three phase UPFC connected to a transmission line [2]

Control of power flow is achieved by adding the series voltage, VS with a certain amplitude,
VS and phase shift, to V1. This will gives a new line voltage V2 with different magnitude and
phase shift. As the angle varies, the phase shift between V2 and V3 also varies. Figure 2 shows the
single line diagram of the UPFC and phasor diagram of voltage and current.
679 Nashiren.F. Mailah and Senan M. Bashi
Figure 2: Single line diagram of UPFC and phasor diagram of voltage and current

With the presence of the two converters, UPFC not only can supply reactive power but also
active power. The equation for the active and reactive power is given as follows:-
VV
P12 = 1 2 sin (1)
X 12
VV
Q12 = 1 2 (cos + 1) (2)
X 12

3. Methodology
The focus of this work is to design a single phase UPFC and simulate it using Matlab and Simulink
software. A lab scale model will then being constructed and its performance are compared to the
simulated ones. The effect of phase shift, of VS to the supply voltage, V1 are investigated.
Based on the schematic diagram of the three phase UPFC in Figure 1, a simulation model of a
single phase UPFC is drawn in Simulink and is illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Simulinks simulation model

A lab scale model is constructed using H-bridge voltage source inverter to act as SSSC. Figure
4 shows the block diagram of the lab scale model.
Single Phase Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC): Simulation and Construction 680
Figure 4: Block diagram of lab scale model

Programmable Interface Controller (PIC) is being programmed to generated PWM signals to

the gate drive that will send the signals to trigger the IGBTs. The comparator provides a reference
signal to the PIC controller board to generate triggering signals in synchronization with the supply
voltage. Figure 5 shows the flow chart of the program used to find zero crossing and to generate the
required pulses.

Figure 5: Flow chart of the program used to find zero crossing and to generate the required pulses.
681 Nashiren.F. Mailah and Senan M. Bashi

The program generates a pulsed signal of 50Hz with a switching frequency of 1.22kHz. The
desired frequency at the output of the H-bridge inverter is 50Hz which is equivalent to the supply
frequency.
The program is written to start triggering when it detects zero crossing of the ac supply. In
order to get a delay at the output of the inverter in comparison to the supply, delay instruction is added
into the program before starting the triggering signals.
Figure 6 shows the circuit diagram of dual IR2110 IGBT used to isolate the high and low
voltage levels, and to provide the IGBTs with the required voltages and currents. The values of the
components used have been calculated following the procedure given in the chip data sheet.

Figure 6: Circuit diagram of the gate drive connected to the H-bridge

4. Results and Discussions

Figure 7 shows the output voltage of the UPFC, VS and the ac supply voltage, V1 obtained from the
simulation. Both voltages are in synchronization with each other but with different magnitude due to
voltage step down of the shunt transformer. If a certain value of delay is set to the triggering signals, a
different output can be observed as shown in Figure 8.
Single Phase Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC): Simulation and Construction 682
Figure 7: Supply voltage and output voltage

V1
V

As the phase shift value, is increased, the output voltage is shifted more to the left. When
negative phase shift in implemented, the output voltage will be shifted to the right in comparison to the
supply voltage.

Figure 8: Output voltage with 30 phase shift with ac supply

V1

The UPFCs output voltage, VS is then being added to the ac supply voltage, V1 to obtain V2.
The resultant waveform is not pure sinusoidal due to the triggering signal which is of pulsed type as
shown in Figure 9. Filters need to be added in order to get a smooth resultant voltage to reach the ideal.
The ideal output of an UPFC as shown in Figure 10 where sinusoidal waveform of the output
voltage is added to the ac supply voltage in 50Hz. When both the output voltage is added to the supply
voltage, a sinusoidal waveform with magnitude and phase shift will be observed as explained in the
vector diagram of Figure 2.
683 Nashiren.F. Mailah and Senan M. Bashi
Figure 9: Sum of output voltage waveform with 30 phase shift from the supply voltage

Figure 10: Ideal sinusoidal output voltage

Figure 11 shows the result obtained from the lab scale model. The sinusoidal waveform
represents the ac supply waveform while the square waveform represents the PWM signal. When there
is no phase shift, set in the program, the PWM signal generated is in synchronization with the ac
supply. However, when a phase shift, is applied, the signals will be shifted with angle .

Figure 11: Output and ac supply waveform with delay

Single Phase Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC): Simulation and Construction 684

4. Conclusion
In power system transmission, it is desirable to maintain the voltage magnitude, phase angle and line
impedance. Therefore, to control the power from one end to another end, this concept of voltage
injection is applied. The magnitude of this V is constant and the variable is the phase shift, . This
project covers the scope of designing the single phase UPFC, where its function is to generate the
phase shift, . When the designed voltage injection is added to the sending end voltage, V1, voltage, V2
VV
at the receiving end with a phase shift of is obtained. From the power flow equation, P = 1 2 sin ,
X 12
phase shift is varied to vary the power, P. The output voltage of the H-Bridge inverter, VS can be
controlled to be in synchronization or with some delay with the ac supply. The delay is programmed
into the PIC in order to get a phase shift with respect to the ac supply.
The experimental result which has been obtained from a lab scale model showed a good
agreement with the simulation results in term of phase shift, of the UPFC.

References
[1] N. G. Hingorani and L. Gyugyi, Understanding FACTS, IEEE Press, 2000.
[2] Narain G. Hingorani, Laszlo Gyugyi, Understanding FACTS: Concepts and Technology of
Flexible AC Trnasmission Systems, IEEE Press Marketing, 1999, pp. 297-352, pp. 407-424.
[3] Edvina Uzunovic, Claudio A Canizares, John Reeve, Fundamental Frequency Model of
Unified Power Flow Controller, North American Power Symposium (NAPS), Cleveland,
Ohio, October 1998, pp 294-299.
[4] M. Toufan, U.D. Annakkage, Simulation of The Unified Power Flow Controller Performance
Using PSCAD/EMTDC, Electrical Power System Research Vol. 46, 1998, pp 67-75
[5] L. Xu and V.G. Agelidis, Flying Capacitor Multilevel PWM Converter Based UPFC, IEE
Proc. Of Electronic Power Application, Vol. 149, No. 4, July 2003. Page(s) 304-310.