International Journal of Electrical, Electronics and Data Communication, ISSN: 2320-2084 Volume-2, Issue-7, July-2014

WEIGHTED TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION AND POWER

QUALITY ANALYSIS OF SPACE VECTOR MODULATED
VOLTAGE SOURCE INVERTERS FOR WECS
1
NAIK R. L., 2JANGAMSHETTI SURESH.H.
1
Member IEEE, 2Senior Member IEEE
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Basaveshwar Engineering College, Bagalkot
E-mail: r_l_naik@yahoo.co.in, jangm@rocketmail.com

Abstract- This paper presents harmonic and power quality analysis of two level and three level Diode Clamped Voltage
Source Inverter (DCVSI). Purpose of analysis is to investigate performance of VSI in WECS in terms of power quality fed to
grid, filter requirement and DC bus utilization. Modulation strategy used is Space Vector PWM (SVPWM) for two levels
and three levels DCVSI as it is readily available for digital implementation. Performance evaluation of VSI is measured
through Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion (WTHD), IEC 1000-3-4 Regulation and Filtering Ratio (FR). Voltage Source
Inverter and LCL filter are modeled in terms of switching function and state space technique respectively. These models
integrated and simulated using MATLAB-SIMULINK. It is observed from simulation that DCVSI has better WTHD and
higher DC Bus Utilization. Further it is also observed that DCVSI experiences lower switching loss and less filtering
requirement.

Keywords- Diode clamped voltage source inverter, Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion, Filtering Ratio

I. INTRODUCTION Inverter Interfaces wind turbine to grid is guided by

Wind energy is undergoing a rapid development in
size and capacity, as a result modern wind turbine
power rating is exceeding up to 5 MW. Grid
interaction and grid impact of wind turbines has been
in focus during the past few years. Grid connected
variable speed wind turbine generator invariably use
power electronic devices to supply fixed voltage and
frequency shown in Fig.1. Presently two level
Inverters are used to interface a variable speed wind
turbine to the grid at a required voltage and
frequency[1-4]. However two level Inverters are
produce distorted output and switching losses for
high rated wind turbines. Further quality of output
voltage of two levels VSI is improved with increase
in the switching frequency. Higher switching
frequency can be employed only for low power
levels, managing switching losses at high power wind
turbine will be a difficult task. This makes the
multilevel inverter suitable for modern wind-turbines
applications with higher ratings.
IEC 1000-3-4 Regulation. However selection of
inverters for WECS in terms of WTHD, IEC 1000-3-
4 Regulation and Filtering Ratio (FR) is not focused
in literatures.
In view of this there is need of harmonic and power
quality analysis of two levels VSI and three levels
DCVSI for WECS application. This paper presents
modeling of two level VSI and three level DCVSI
connected to grid. Modulation strategy used is Space
Vector PWM (SVPWM) as it is readily available for
digital implementation. Further LCL-grid filter is
designed to satisfy IEC 1000-3-4 regulation and
filtering capability is measured through FR. This
model helps designer for selection of appropriate
Inverter interfaces wind turbine to grid in terms of
power quality and filter requirement.

Multilevel-inverter topologies viz. Diode clamps,

Flying capacitors and Cascaded H-bridge inverters
were developed and employed in grid connection [2-
3], each one will have its own relative advantages and
disadvantages. Generally Total harmonic distortion
(THD) and Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion Fig.1 Voltage Source Inverter Interfaces for WECS
(WTHD) are two important Indices to measure
quality of output voltage fed to grid. Presence of II. SPACE VECTOR MODULATION OF TWO
inductances in power systems causes higher order LEVEL VOLTAGE SOURCE INVERTER
current harmonics to damp out more quickly. THD
disregards this difference and treats all harmonics Wind turbine connected to grid through two level
equally. However WTHD gives a better measure of voltage source inverter is shown in Fig 1. Space
harmonic pollution by using the order of each Vector PWM (SVPWM) method is used to control
harmonic component as its weight factor. Further
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International Journal of Electrical, Electronics and Data Communication, ISSN: 2320-2084 Volume-2, Issue-7, July-2014

inverter by sensing grid voltages and DC Bus voltage   (6)

VDC. The principle of SVPWM for two level inverter d 1  m sin    
 3 
has been proposed in many literatures [ ].
d 2  m sin  (7)
d 0  1  d1  d 2 (8)

Where, m  V V p n , is the modulation index and its

range is 0< m <1.

Symmetrical switching Sequence is to be performed

in order reduce distortion at the output voltage wave
Fig. 2. Topology of conventional two level voltage source form and switching losses. The symmetrical
inverter
switching strategy for sector 1 is shown in Fig.4.
Model of two level VSI is given in terms of switching
Space vector modulation (SVM) is based on
function and is given by
conversion from three phase quantity to two phase.
This is obtained by orthogonal transformation from
abc- α-β , voltages in α-β are given by V an   2 1  1  s a 
V an  V   V DC   1 2  1  S b  (9)
V   2 1  1 / 2 1/ 2   (1)  bn  3 
V    3  0 3 / 2  3 / 2   
V bn V cn    1 1 2   S c 
   V cn 
V ref  V  jV  (2)
j
V ref  V ref e (3)

Referring to Fig.2, there are eight switching states V1-

V8, out eight switching states, V7 and V8 are zero
switching states. These vectors (V1 to V6) is used to
frame the vector plane as shown in Fig.3. The
rotating reference vector can be approximated in each Fig.4: Symmetrical switching strategy for sector-1
switching cycle by switching between the two
adjacent active vectors and the zero vectors. Inverter output phase currents injected to grid are
given by

di a 1 (10)
 V an  i a R  e an 
dt Ls
di b 1
 Vbn  ib R  ebn  (11)
dt Ls
di c 1
 Vcn  ic R  e cn  (12)
dt Ls
Where, Ls is inductance due to LCL filter, R
Fig. 3: Zero and Non-zero voltage vectors in  plane resistance due to filter, Van, Vbn and Vcn are phase
voltage of grid and ean, ebn and ecn are converter
Duty cycle of vectors to be switched is calculated in voltages
each sampling period Ts. Ts is divided into three
subintervals d1, d2 and d0. The inverter is switched so III. SPACE VECTOR MODULATION OF
as to produce the vector V1 for d1 period, vector V2 THREE LEVEL DIODE CLAMPED
for d2 period and zero state vectors either V7 or V8 for VOLTAGE SOURCE INVERTER
d0 period. Let d1, d2 and d0 denote the duty cycles of
V1, V2 and V7/V8 respectively. Then, This section presents SVM of three level DCVSI
connected to grid [ ]. SVM has more computation
d 1V1  d 2V 2  V (4) involved in identifying Nearest Three Vectors
(NTVs) for synthesizing reference vector. However
d1  d 2  d 0  1 (5) this paper gives simple procedure to identify NTVs
Upon solving the above equations (4&5), we get by solve linear equation, which reduces
expressions for duty cycles as given bellow, computational burden on processor. Following are
steps to implement three level SVPWM method.

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International Journal of Electrical, Electronics and Data Communication, ISSN: 2320-2084 Volume-2, Issue-7, July-2014

1. The functional diagram of a three level DCVSI V pn

switching network is shown in Fig.5. Each switch y  (15)
will assume one of the positions like Sa may be 2 3
connected to positive DC rail i.e. point ‘p’ or 1 V
y  V  3(x 
pn
) (16)
negative DC rail i.e. point ‘n’ or neutral point 2 3
pn
6
(N.P) i.e. point ‘o’. There are totally 27 (33)
allowable switching state vectors which
corresponds to 6-large vectors, 6-medium vectors,  V pn 
y  3  x   (17)
12-small vectors and 3-zerovoltage vectors. There  3 
are totally 24 triangles and tip of the reference
vector may lie in any one of the triangle as shown
in Fig.6.

(a) (b)
Fig.7 (a) Hexagon space showing bigger triangles, (b) Division
of large sector into smaller triangles

4. Computation of Duty Cycles: Duty cycles of

NTVs are calculated for refrence vector lies in
Fig.5: Switching network of a three-level DCVSI OUTER and INNER SMALL TRIANGLEs as
. shown in Fig.8 then,

Fig.8: (a) Reference in outer triangle (b) Reference vector in

inner triangle.

The duty cycles of NTVs for outer triangle is given as

d so   3m cos    m sin    2
Fig.6: Six sectors and 24-regions d M  2 m sin   (18)

2. To synthesize the reference voltage vector, task d L  1  3m cos    m sin  

modulator is used to determine position the
switches and duration needed (duty cycle). This
is achieved using the nearest three vectors
(NTVs) as expressed by,
V REF  d 1V 1  d 2 V 2  d 3 V 3
where, d1, d2 and d3 are the duty cycles of the vectors
V1, V2 and V3 respectively. With additional constraint
on duty cycle.
d1  d 2  d 3  1 (14)
3. Identification of Nearest Three Vectors (NTVs):
The first step is to divide the large space into
smaller triangles a as shown in Fig.7a, knowing
reference vector magnitude |VREF| and its angle δ
bigger triangle located. Further smaller triangle is
identified by evaluating the sign linear equations
(15-16) as shown in Fig.7b.
The duty cycles of NTVs for inner triangle is given as
d so  m ( 3 co s    s in  )
d s1  1  3 m co s    m sin   (19)
(13)
d s  2 m s in  
Similarly, duty cycles are calculated for middle and
other outer regions
5. Switching strategy: Switching strtegy is proposed
such as to minimising switching frequency,
uniform distribution of all conduction times
between the 12 switches and maintaing the neutral
point voltage into a narrow band around Vdc/2.
6.0 Three level DCVSI connected to grid is Modeled
based on switching functions and is given by

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International Journal of Electrical, Electronics and Data Communication, ISSN: 2320-2084 Volume-2, Issue-7, July-2014

 V an   S a1 Sa2  Cb  1
V   S   V DC 1  wn Z b
 bn   b1 S b2  V  (20)
Where, En is the line to line rms voltage, wn is the grid
 V cn   S c 1 Sc2   DC 2  frequency and Pn is the active power absorbed by
converter at rated condition.
VDC1 and VDC2 is the DC link voltages of three level
2. Choice of the capacitor is based on percentage of
DCVSI Inverter.
reactive power absorbed at rated condition, ideally
5% of the base value
IV. LCL GRID FILTER DESIGN
3. Choice of the inductor L1 is based on the current
The selection of the grid filter is an important part, as
ripple, ripple attenuation from converter side to
it has a significant effect on dynamic behavior,
grid and ICE 61000-3-4 regulation.
commercial price and the quality of the energy
exchanged with the grid. Traditionally L –filter is
4. Choice of the inductor L2 is based on ripple current
connected at every converter phase to obtain
attenuation ideally taken as 50 % that of converter
sinusoidal voltage and reduce current harmonics
side.
around switching frequency. However size of filter
becomes bulky and expensive for higher KWs. On
L1=2L2
the contrary an attractive industrial solution to this 2
problem is to use an LCL-filter shown in Fig.9. i g ( h sw ) Z LC
 (24)
V ( h sw ) w sw L1 . w 2 res  w 2 sw
2
i g (hsw ) Z LC
 (25)
i(hsw ) w 2 res  w 2 sw

Where, ig(hsw) is grid harmonic current at switching

frequency, V(hsw) is harmonic voltage at converter
side at switching frequency, ZLC is characteristic
Fig.9: Grid LCL- Filter
impedance, i(hsw) converter harmonic current at
switching frequency.
LCL filter is modeled using state space method and is
given by
5. Calculate resonant frequency using L1, L2 and C0
 di1 
 dt  (21) L1  L 2
 di  (R1 Rd )/ L1 1/ L1 Rd / L1i1  1/ L1 0 
f0  (26)
Vi 
 2    Rd / L2  (R  R )/ L 1/ L2 i2   0 1/ L2   L1 L 2 C o
 dt  
2 d 2
Vg
dVc   Rd /C  Rd /C 0 Vc   0 0  
 dt 
If fo is within the limit i.e. 10fb ≤ fo ≤ fsw/2. Where fb is
the base frequency. If this condition does not match
where, i1 is converter current, i2 is grid current and Vc change percentage of reactive power absorbed and
voltage across capacitor, V1 converter voltage and Vg current ripple attenuation.
is grid voltage.
6. The attenuation introduced by the LCL filter is
Output current is grid current i2 can be obtained effective only if the filter is properly damped.
 i1  This achieved by putting resistor in series with
(22)
i o  0 1 0  i2 
 the filter capacitor. Damping element is selected
 V c  as 1/3rd of filter capacitor impedance at
The procedure for design of LCL filter given is as resonance frequency.
follows
7. Transfer function is derived neglecting the
1. The procedure for the choice of the LCL-filter values of R1 and R2 to check stability of filter.
parameters has inputs the power rating of the This is verified using bode plot for the transfer
converter, line frequency and the switching function as given below.
frequency. Filter values will be referred in % of the Rd C o S  1 (27)
H (s) 
base values: L1 L 2 C 0 S 3  L1  L 2 R d C 0 S 2  ( L1  L 2 ) S

En
2 If system is not stable repeat the step 1 to 6 other wise
Zb  (23) designed parameter meets designed constraints.
Pn

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V. HARMONIC ANALYSIS considered to evaluate the performance of voltage

source inverter for WECS are WTHD, Fundamental
Grid operator imposes harmonic limit and power Voltage, FR, IEC1000 3-4 and Power loss.
factor control on wind farms to maintain power
quality feeding to grid. In order to reduce this effect, Table-1: Parameter for simulation of Voltage source
study of harmonics generated by voltage source converter with filter
inverter becomes prime importance. Traditionally Sl.No Parameters Values
quality of output voltage is measured by THD, Grid
reflects energy of the waveform harmonic content 1 Grid Voltage 400 Volts
and is defined as 2 Frequency 50 Hz
1/ 2 Inverter
1  
THD   V 2 n  (28) 1 DC Bus Voltage 700 Volts
V1  n  2, 3..  2 Switching Frequency 5KHz
3 Rating of Inverter 100 KVA
Where V1 is rms value of fundamental component LCL Filter
voltage and Vn is rms value of the nth harmonic 1 Converter Inductance 0.212mH
component. L1
2 Grid Inductance L2 0.106mH
Presence of inductance in a transformer or filter 3 Filter Capacitance C0 92.87µF
damps out higher order current harmonics quickly as 4 Damping element Rd 0.303
compared to lower order. This indicates that higher Ohms
order harmonics are not sever as lower one. However
THD does not consider severity of lower order Line to line voltages of two level and three level
harmonics and treat all harmonic equally. In this voltage source converter is obtained for modulating
regard another measuring index is proposed in index 0.57 and switching frequency is 5KHz as
addition to THD is weighted total harmonic distortion shown in Fig.10 and Fig.11 respectively.
(WTHD) [7-8]. This index gives a better measure of
harmonic pollution by using the order of each
harmonic component as its weight factor. Further
index considers the severity of lower order of current
harmonics and is defined by.
2 1/ 2
1   Vn   (29)
WTHD      
V 1  n  2 , 3 ..  n  

As there is no benchmark for WTHD, which will

Fig.10. Line Voltage of two level VSI, Ma=0.57 and fs=5 KHz
consider the severity of lower order harmonics like
THD i.e. IEEE Standard 519 maximum permissible
THD for low voltage applications is 5% and the
maximum individual voltage harmonic is 3%. Some
more Indices are defined for the choice of Voltage
source Inverter for WECS
 IEC 1000-3-4 i.e. Ih < 0.6% of nominal current
for h ≥33
 Highest harmonic component around switching
frequency. Fig.11. Line Voltage of three level DCVSI, Ma=0.57 and fs=5
 Losses due to damping element in filter at KHz
harmonic component
2
(30) Magnitude of voltage harmonics for two level and
P  3R .
d d 
i(h )  i (h ) g
three level VSI are found through harmonic analysis.
 Filtering Capability through Filtering Ratio (FR) Variations of THD and WTHD with modulating
I hc ( sw ) index for two level and three level VSI are plotted as
FR  (31) shown in Fig.12 and Fig.13 respectively. It is
I hg ( sw ) observed that THD and WTHD for three level
inverter are found to be much lower than two level
VI. SIMULATION RESULTS inverter for all range of modulating index.
Fundamental voltages of both inverters are found by
Simulation is performed using MATLAB Simulink, varying modulating index from 0.3 to 1.0 as shown in
parameter considered for grid, voltage source inverter Fig.14 and its found that DCVSI has higher DC Bus
and LCL filter are given in Table-1. Further indices utilization than two level Inverter
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International Journal of Electrical, Electronics and Data Communication, ISSN: 2320-2084 Volume-2, Issue-7, July-2014

3 (FR) 10.969 6.450

Converter 14.470 2.780
4
THD Grid 2.063 1.700
Converter 0.556 0.465
6 WTHD
Grid 0.635 0.478
IEC 1000-3-4
7 Ih < 0.6% of In for h >= 0.038 0.017
Fig.12: Variation THD with Ma 33
8 Pd (Watts) 60.73 20.09

Inferences are drawn from the Table-II in selection

Fig.13: Variations of WTHD with Ma
Fig.14: Variations of Fundamental voltage with Ma
Variation of THD with switching frequency is plotted
as shown in Fig.15. It is observed that for same
harmonic performance switching frequency of three
level VSI is reduced to 45% that of two level VSI.
This advantage of three level DCVSI will have less
dv/dt and di/dt across the switch and reduced EMI
problem.
VSI are given below
 FR is low for DCVSI as compared to two level
VSI, with same designed parameter filtering
capability of the filter for three level is 58 %
higher than two level.
 Another index to measure quality of output
waveform is IEC 1000-3-4 Regulation; it is
found that for designed filter parameter
magnitude of 33rd harmonic are within limit for
both two level and three level VSI. However
DCVSI have much reduces value around 50%.
 Effectiveness of filter is achieved if there is
proper damping, it is found that three level
DCVSI has much lower damping than two level.
 Magnitude of current harmonics around
switching frequency are much lower as
compared to two level as shown in Fig.16.
 Designed filter is stable as shown in Fig.17, it is
observed that at crossover frequency, gain is
below zero, hence system is stable.

Fig.16: Comparison of grid side current harmonics magnitude

for two level and three level VSI

Fig.15: Variation THD with switching frequency (KHz)

This characteristics will improves efficiency of

inverter for high rated wind turbine. Performance Fig.17: Bode plot of LCL filter
indices for the selection of VSI for WECS are listed
in Table-II. CONCLUSIONS

Table-II: Performance Indices for selection of VSI Simulation of two level VSI and three level DCVSI
Two Three for WECS is performed using MATLAB-
Sl.No Indices SIMULINK. Performance of VSI is evaluated by
Level Level
1 Ihc(sw) (%) 1.697 0.420 different power quality indices. Further, LCL filter is
2 Ihg (sw) (%) 0.155 0.066 modeled using state space analyses and filtering

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International Journal of Electrical, Electronics and Data Communication, ISSN: 2320-2084
capability is obtained for two level and three level
voltage source inverter. It is observed from
simulation results that WTHD and THD are lower for
three level DCVSI as compared to the two level VSI.
Further, it is also observed that fundamental voltage
of DCVSI is higher than two level VSI This result in
better DC bus utilization, reduced switching loss and
less distorted output voltage for WECS. From
comparison it is found that three level DCVSI is
advantageous for WEC as it reduces filter
requirement connected to grid.
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