Electrical Power and Energy Systems 145 (2023) 108649

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ijepes

Research on optimization strategy of harmonic suppression and reactive

power compensation of photovoltaic multifunctional grid
connected inverter
Wang Guo *, Wu Xu
School of Automation and Electrical Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Rail Transit Electrical Automation Engineering Laboratory of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords: In this paper, a new harmonic suppression and reactive power compensation strategy based on photovoltaic
Photovoltaic power generation system multi-functional grid connected inverter (PVMFGCI) and a three-layer optimization model based on adaptive ant
PVMFGCI colony algorithm are proposed for optimal control of power quality of grid connected photovoltaic (PV) power
Optimization model
generation system. Here, an improved CPT (Conservative Power Theory) current detection method is used to
Adaptive ant colony algorithm
Power quality
extract harmonic and reactive current components from the load current, and a new PVMFGCI hierarchical
optimization model is developed to optimize the power quality at the common connection point (CCP). The
proposed three-layer optimization model is an improved form of the two-layer optimization model, which
successfully solves the contradiction between the active power grid connection of the PV grid connected inverter
and the power quality control. The main objective of the proposed three-layer optimization model is to meet the
requirements of active power output of PV power generation, and at the same time, to utilize the remaining
capacity of the inverter to control harmonics and compensate reactive power. However, when the remaining
capacity of PVMFGCI is sufficient, PVMFGCI can reasonably allocate the remaining capacity through the three-
layer optimization model to meet the optimal power quality at the CCP. In this process, the power quality of the
microgrid is improved. PVMFGCI provides reactive power compensation, harmonic control and other power
quality problems. In addition, when the remaining capacity of PVMFGCI is insufficient, it only needs to maximize
the active power and make the harmonic distortion rate and power factor meet the grid connection requirements,
which improves the utilization rate of PVMFGCI. The proposed techniques are modeled and the IEEE 33 bus
systems are analyzed and their performances are verified experimentally on a developed prototype, in PV output
active power variation condition, imbalance loading condition for linear/nonlinear loads, where it has shown a
very good performance. The effect of harmonic control and reactive power compensation at each node of the
system is obvious.

1. Introduction
To achieve this goal, it has become an inevitable trend for new en­
ergy power generation such as solar energy and wind power to replace
the traditional power generation mode [1]. By the end of 2020, China’s
cumulative PV grid connected installed capacity had reached 253GW,
with a year-on-year increase of 23.5 %. The annual PV power generation
reached 260.5 billion kWh, with a year-on-year increase of 16.2 %, ac­
counting for 3.5 % of China’s total power generation, with a year-on-
year increase of 0.4 percentage points [2–4]. Distributed PV, a large
number of power electronic equipment and random access of nonlinear
loads pose great challenges to the power quality of the power grid. In
addition, the uncertainty and randomness of distributed PV output, PV
grid connection and impulsive loads pose a serious threat to the security
of power supply and the stability of power system [5–7].
For the power quality problems existing in PV grid connection,
common solutions include active governance and passive governance.
Passive control of harmonic and reactive power compensation includes
adding power control devices, such as APF and dynamic voltage regu­
lator, or setting reactive power compensation devices, such as capacitors
and dynamic reactive power compensators [8]. However, the traditional
treatment method of harmonic treatment equipment such as APF is not

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: wangguo2005@eyou.com (W. Guo).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2022.108649
Received 14 April 2022; Received in revised form 21 August 2022; Accepted 14 September 2022
Available online 29 September 2022
0142-0615/© 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
W. Guo and W. Xu International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems 145 (2023) 108649

easy to change the installation position after the network planning and
installation, while the network harmonic source is scattered and not
fixed, and it is distributed throughout the network with the influence of
nonlinear load, which makes harmonic treatment difficult. If the filter is
installed at each node of the network, it will be beneficial to the har­
monic suppression of the network, but the high governance cost makes
this method impossible to be put into practice. Therefore, people ur­
gently need to find an economical and efficient harmonic suppression
method. Therefore, the active power quality control scheme of PV power
generation system becomes the key to solve this problem. As the PV
inverter has many similarities with the above-mentioned power quality
control devices in topology and control methods, some scholars have
proposed the concept of PVMFGCI: combining control strategies of
different functions into the same inverter, using the capacity margin of
the PV inverter during operation, while realizing the grid connected
power generation function, It not only reduces the cost of PV power
generation system, but also effectively improves the power quality of
microgrid [9].
At present, the in-depth literature review on “active power quality
control of PVMFGCI ” indicates that several new harmonic control and
reactive power compensation strategies have been proposed for active
power quality control of PV power generation systems. Document [10]
presents a new optimized operation control technology of “grid inte­
grated solar PV conversion system” based on a novel maximize-M Kal­
man filter (MMKF), which can selectively compensate various current
components, overvoltage, undervoltage, phase imbalance, harmonic
distortion of grid voltage, etc. Document [11] proposed the CPT and
consensus algorithm based on PVMFGCI to realize the imbalance and
harmonic in the PV power generation system and realize the compen­
sation of harmonic current and reactive power. Document [12] proposes
a novel Leaky Least Logarithmic Absolute Difference (LLLAD) based
control algorithm and Learning based Incremental Conductance (LIC)
MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) algorithm, which can share
harmonic and reactive current among multiple PVMFGCI according to
the residual capacity of PVMFGCI, and realize harmonic suppression and
reactive power compensation. Document [13] proposes a compensation
algorithm aiming at the optimization of the comprehensive power
quality index of the PV parallel network. According to the power quality
pollution of the microgrid, PVMFGCI is used to track and compensate
the harmonic current and reactive power. In literature [14], a novel am-
mkf (Adaptive Maximize-m Kalman Filter) based control technology is
developed for VSC control, the harmonic compensation is well realized
and the active power grid connection is maximized.
According to the above analysis, the use of PVMFGCI for harmonic
suppression and voltage deviation optimization has been relatively
mature, but most of the studies ignore that the inverter is in idle state
when the output power of PV is 0 in non working state (at night), and the
inverter capacity can be used for power quality management; When PV
is in the working state, the residual capacity of PVMFGCI under different
output states is not considered. The residual capacity of inverter varies
connected to the grid. Finally, the adaptive ant colony algorithm is used
to solve the three-level optimization strategy quickly and accurately,
and the simulation results are given.
2. Description of relevant problems
Irradiance, temperature and other factors determine the power
generation of PV, resulting in PV output power during the day, stagna­
tion at night and low capacity utilization of inverter [13]. It can be seen
that the inverter has a certain power capacity under most operating
conditions. Using the remaining capacity of PVMFGCI active power after
grid connection for power quality control can improve the utilization
rate of grid connected inverter and reduce the investment and operation
cost of PV power quality control device [15].
2.1. Analysis of inverter control structure
The topology of photovoltaic grid connected inverter is similar to
that of active power filter. Improving the control strategy of photovol­
taic grid connected inverter can form PVMFGCI and realize APF func­
tion.[16] The typical PVMFGCI control principle is shown in Fig. 1. It is
mainly composed of photovoltaic array, boost circuit, DC side capaci­
torCPV , inverter, filter, three-phase voltageusabc , PVMFGCI control outer
loop and current inner loop circuit, drive circuit, etc.[17].
The PV array converts solar energy into direct current, and the boost
circuit raises the direct current to the voltage that allows grid connected
inverter; CPV realize decoupling between power; The three-phase
inverter converts DC into AC and connects it to the power grid; LCL
filter is used to filter out high-order harmonics. The basic control
strategy of pvmfgci is double loop control strategy: functional outer loop
and current inner loop. The functional outer loop includes two parts:
power control module and power quality detection module. The power
control module calculates the reference currents Id and Iq of the inner
loop according to the input current; The power quality detection module
calculates the current inner loop reference value i2abc required to realize
power quality management according toi∗ , and the current inner loop
tracks the two parts of the current inner loop reference value calculated
by the outer loop, and then sends it to SVPWM through the driving
circuit.
2.2. Analysis of inverter control structure reference current detection
algorithm
It can be seen from Fig. 1 that the corresponding current index needs
VD1 VD3 VD5
ipv L0 VD0
i1 i2abc
+
Q1 Q3 Q5
L1 L2 usabc
a

greatly under four typical meteorological conditions. How to allocate Cpv Cdc b
upv Q0
the occupied capacity of PVMFGCI for harmonic compensation and -
c

reactive power compensation will directly affect the economic benefits VD4 VD6 VD2 uc C
ic
Boost PWM
of power grid operation. PV array
circuit Q4 Q6 Q2
Therefore, considering the contradiction between PVMFGCI har­ MPPT
0
LCL
monic, reactive power compensation and active power grid connection, Ipv upv
N SVPWM
a dynamic optimization method for power quality control under
PVMFGCI working state (considering meteorological conditions) and drive
non working state (at night) is constructed. Due to the difference in the usabc Power
remaining capacity under PVMFGCI working state, first of all, while i2abc quality i* Current
iC
i2abc
meeting the upper active power grid connection, the middle-level idc
inspection inner ring
power
optimization objective is to meet the power quality standard. Sec­ udc
control Id Iq
ondly, on the basis of the two-level optimization strategy, the lower level
optimization objective is to minimize the harmonic distortion rate and PVMFGCI Control outer ring
voltage deviation of each node, so as to maximize and make the most
reasonable use of PVMFGCI to optimize the power quality when PV is Fig. 1. PVMFGCI control schematic diagram.

2
W. Guo and W. Xu International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems 145 (2023) 108649

to be extracted during PVMFGCI control optimization. In this paper, the According to the decomposition formula (6):
improved CPT (Conservative Power Theory) current detection method μ∑
=α,β μ∑
=α,β μ∑
=α,β μ∑
=α,β
[18,19] is used to extract the command current. Iab2μ + Irb2μ + Iμu2 + Iv2μ =
The three-phase voltage and current are transformed from abc co­ μ μ μ μ
ordinate system to αβ coordinate system for calculation, so as to simplify (7)
μ∑
=a,b,c μ∑
=a,b,c μ∑
=a,b,c μ∑
=a,b,c
the amount of current calculation. For three-phase system, three-phase Iab2μ + Irb2μ + u2
Iμ + Iv2μ
voltage ua , ub , uc and three-phase current ia , ib , ic meet the following μ μ μ μ

constraints: Order:
{
ua + ub + uc = 0
(1) μ∑
=α,β μ∑
=a,b,c
ia + ib + ic = 0 Iab2μ = Iab2μ (8)
μ μ
Clark transform:
Since all current components (Iabμ ,Irbμ ,Iauμ ,iurμ , Ivμ ) are orthogonal. Then:
[ xα xβ ]T = Cabc/αβ [ xa xb xc ]T (2)
Iab2α + Iaβ
b2 b2
= Iaa b2
+ Iab b2
+ Iac (9)
Clark inverse transform:
The principle of the improved CPT current detection method is
[ xa xb xc ]T = Cαβ/abc [ xα xβ ]T (3)
shown in Fig. 2. Other component detection and extraction processes are
similar to current extraction, which will not be described too much in
where: xα and xβ are variables under αβ coordinate system;xa , xb and xc
this paper.
are variables in the three-phase stationary coordinate system.
According to formula (1), only the two-phase current is an inde­
3. Three layer optimization model
pendent variable in the three-phase current, so the three quantitiesia , ib
and ic can be used as iα and iβ two variables, which provides rationality
The remaining capacity of PVMFGCI active power grid connection
for the application of formula (2) and formula (3) in the current
can be used for power quality control, but as a grid connected inverter, it
extraction method. According to formula (2), it can be concluded that
can not be separated from its main function: maximizing PV grid con­
the three-phase currentsia , ib andic , stay iα and iβ obtained by conversion
nected power generation. Therefore, the power capacity invested in
in coordinate systemαβ, and three-phase voltagesua , ub anduc , stay uα
power quality management is often limited. In order to solve the
and uβ obtained by conversion in coordinate systemαβ:
contradiction between active power grid connection and the capacity
⎡ ⎤ ⎡ ⎤
[ ] ia [ ] ua required for power quality management and maximize the utilization of
iα uα
⎣
= Cabc/αβ ib ;⎦ = Cabc/αβ ⎣ ub ⎦ (4) PVMFGCI, this paper proposes a three-layer optimization model for
iβ uβ
ic uc PVMFGCI power quality management for the first time. The problems of
harmonic distortion rate, voltage deviation and reactive power
Calculated from formula (1) and (4):
⎧ compensation are mainly considered.
⎨ i2 + i2 = i2 + i2 + i2
(5)
α β a b c
⎩ u2α + u2β = u2a + u2b + u2c 3.1. Modeling ideas

According to CPT power theory: In order to realize active power grid connection and power quality
√̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅ control at the same time, the optimal allocation of active power grid
I = I b2 b2 u2
aμ + I rμ + I aμ + I rμ + I vμ
u2 2
(6) connection capacity and power quality control capacity of PVMFGCI is
the key link.[20,21] Power quality control needs to occupy part of the
Where: Iabμ is the symmetrical active current component; Irbμ is the inverter capacity, which affects the active power grid connection and
symmetrical reactive current component; Iauμ is the asymmetric active has a certain impact on the economic operation of PV. How to allocate
current component; Iruμ is the asymmetric reactive current component; Ivμ the capacity of PVMFGCI to optimize the benefits of PV active power
is the empty current component;μ = α, β. grid connection and control the power quality is the key to solve the
problem.

Root mean
square
calculation
/
1/u
va v Unbiased average W
integral value
vb -
Cabc/
vc v Unbiased average 1/u +
integral value
average P
value -
average 1/u
ia i value P +
ib
Cabc/ i + -
ic
1/u + +
W

Fig. 2. Schematic diagram of improved CPT current detection method.

3
W. Guo and W. Xu International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems 145 (2023) 108649

The modeling idea of PVMFGCI three-layer optimization model for
power quality governance is as follows: firstly, take PV active power grid
connection as the upper goal; Secondly, on the basis of meeting the
active power grid connection, harmonic control and voltage deviation
adjustment are carried out to make its value meet the specified grid
connection standard; Finally, on the basis of optimizing the residual
capacity of the first two layers, the nodes whose power quality meets the
grid connection requirements but still has the risk of exceeding the
standard after the governance of the two-layer model are treated, and
the minimum harmonic distortion rate and voltage deviation are the
lower optimization objectives.
PVMFGCI should not exceed the maximum active power sent by PV.
3.3. Middle level optimization model
The objective function of the middle-level model is that the total
harmonic distortion rate and voltage deviation of each node reach the
specified index of power quality. On the basis of PVMFGCI active power
grid connection of the upper model, the residual capacity is used to
control the harmonic and adjust the voltage deviation, so that the har­
monic and voltage deviation of each node reach the standard and meet
the requirements of grid connection.

3.2. Upper optimization model 3.3.1. Objective function

Targeted treatment measures shall be taken for the parts where the
Assuming that the total capacity of PVMFGCI isSM , the active grid total harmonic distortion rate of each node exceeds the standard and the
connection capacity isPM , the harmonic treatment capacity is SH and the voltage deviation does not meet the standard, and the parts that do not
reactive power compensation capacity isSR , the relationship satisfied is: exceed the standard do not need to be treated. The objective function of
the middle-level optimization model is:
2
SM ⩾P2M + SH2 + SR2 (10) ⎧
⎪ fM = fM1 + fM2
⎪
⎪ ∑ni
⎪
3.2.1. Objective function ⎪
⎨ f1 = min (THDi − THDN )
The objective function of the upper model is to minimize the i=1 (15)
⎪
⎪
reduction of active power, so that the active power of PV can be con­ ∑
⎪ ni
⎪
⎪
⎩ f2 = min (γqi )
nected to the power grid as much as possible. When the objective i=1
function value reaches the minimum, that is, 0, it means that all PV are
connected to the grid at this time. The objective function of the upper In formula (15): fM is the total objective function, fM1 is the objective
model is: function of harmonic treatment, and fM2 is the objective function of
( ) reactive power compensation; THDi is the harmonic distortion rate of
∑
NP
node current; THDN is the set allowable limit of current harmonic
fU = min ΔPPi (11)
distortion rate; γqi is the reactive power coefficient of each node current;
i=1
ni is the node whose harmonic distortion rate exceeds the standard or
In formula (11): NP is the number of PV contained in the microgrid; power factor does not meet the standard obtained by the upper opti­
ΔPPi is the active grid connection reduction at grid connection nodei, mization solution. The reactive power coefficient is defined as the ratio
and the calculation formula is: of reactive power to fundamental apparent power, that is, the ratio of
ΔPPi = PPi,max − PPi (12) reactive current Iq to fundamental currentI1 . The calculation expressions
of node current distortion rate THDi and reactive power coefficient are
In formula (12): PPi,max represents the actual power generation of PV as follows:
at the current time, that is, the maximum power tracking value of PV at
the current time; PPi is the optimized active grid connected power. The THDi =
IHi
× 100%
difference ΔPPi between the two indicates the active grid connection of IIi
PVMFGCI at nodei.
√̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
√ M (16)
√∑
IHi = √ (Ihi )2
3.2.2. Constraint condition h=2

The constraints of the active power grid connection optimization

model include equality constraints and inequality constraints. The γ qi =
Iqi
(17)
equality constraints are power flow constraints; The inequality I1i
constraint is the upper and lower limits of node active grid connected
power. The equality constraints are: where (16) and (17): M is the highest frequency of harmonic distortion;
Ihi represents the h-th harmonic current at nodei; IHi represents the
∑ harmonic current content at nodei; γqi represents the reactive power
n
⎧ ( )
⎪
⎪ PMi + PMj − PLi − Vi Vj Gij cosθij + Bij sinθij
⎪
⎪
⎪ j=1 coefficient at nodei; Iqi is the reactive current at nodei; I1i is the funda­
⎪
⎨ = 0, (i = 1, ⋅⋅⋅, N) mental current at nodei.
∑n (13)
⎪
⎪ ( )
⎪ QMi − QLi − Vi Vj Gij sinθij − Bij cosθij
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩ 3.3.2. Constraint condition
j=1
The constraints of harmonic control and reactive power compensa­
= 0, (i = 1, ⋅⋅⋅, N)
tion model include node harmonic and reactive power compensation
In formula (13): PMi is the active power obtained from the main capacity constraints. The maximum compensation amount in the pro­
system at nodei; QMi is the active power consumed by the load at nodei; cess of PVMFGCI harmonic and reactive power compensation cannot
PLi is the active power consumed by the load at nodei, and QLi is the exceed the capacity limit. The expression is:
reactive power consumed by the load at nodei; Gij and Bij are the
Si ⩽ki ⋅SNi (18)
conductance and susceptance of the network respectively; Vi is the i-
node voltage in polar coordinates and Vj is the j-node voltage. In formula (18): Si represents the total capacity of MFGCI harmonic
Inequality constraints are: and reactive power compensation of nodei; ki1 is the safety factor of
PVMFGCI capacity margin of node i to ensure that harmonic treatment
0⩽PPi ⩽PPi,max (14)
and reactive power compensation do not exceed the safety limit; SNi
Inequality constraints show that the active grid connected power of represents the MFGCI rated capacity limit of nodei.

4
W. Guo and W. Xu
3.4. Lower level optimization model
3.4.1. Objective function
The objective function of the lower model is to minimize the power
quality index corresponding to the total current harmonic distortion rate
and reactive power compensation of each node. On the basis of the
upper and middle model, the residual capacity is used to control the
nodes whose current harmonic and reactive power meet the grid
connection requirements but have the risk of exceeding the standard, so
as to optimize the power quality of the grid connection nodes. The key is
to screen out the nodes with over standard risk and over standard. The
specific judgment method is: Based on the specified allowable harmonic
current value of the injection node, the harmonic current value floating
above and below and the reactive power compensation value are
limited, and the nodes with values within this range are set as the nodes
with over standard risk. The judgment expression is:
− THDN × 2%⩽THDj ⩽THDN × 2% (19)
− γ qN × 2%⩽γqm ⩽γqN × 2% (20)
Node j and node m satisfying equation (19) and equation (20) are
determined as nodes with over standard risk and over standard, and
shall be treated respectively. Therefore, the objective function of the
lower optimization model is:
⎧ fo = f1o + f2o
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ ∑ nj
⎨ f1o = min THDj
j=1 (21)
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ ∑
nm
⎪
⎩ f2o = min (γqm )
m=1
In formula (21): fo is the total objective function, f1o is the objective
function of harmonic treatment, and f2o is the objective function of
reactive power compensation; THDj is the current harmonic distortion
rate of nodej; γqm is the reactive power coefficient of m node current; nj is
the node with over standard risk and over standard harmonic distortion
rate obtained by the middle-level optimization, and nm is the node with
non-standard risk and non-standard power factor obtained by the
middle-level optimization.
3.4.2. Constraint condition
The constraints of the lower model include the capacity constraints
of harmonic and reactive power compensation. The maximum
compensation amount in the process of PVMFGCI harmonic and reactive
power compensation cannot exceed the capacity limit. The expression is:
Sj ⩽kj ⋅SNj
(22)
Sm ⩽km ⋅SNm
where (22): Sj represents the PVMFGCI harmonic capacity of nodej; kj is
the safety factor of PVMFGCI capacity margin of node j to ensure that
harmonic treatment does not exceed the safety limit; SNj represents the
rated capacity limit of node j PVMFGCI; Sm refers to PVMFGCI reactive
power compensation capacity of nodem; km is the safety factor of
PVMFGCI capacity margin of node m to ensure that reactive power
compensation does not exceed the safety limit; SNm represents the rated
capacity limit of PVMFGCI of node m.
The power quality index corresponding to the total harmonic
distortion rate and reactive power compensation of each node is added
to the lower objective function. Equations (10) to (22) constitute a three-
layer model for the coordinated planning of active power grid connec­
tion and power quality governance. The objective function of each layer
model and the interaction relationship between the models are shown in
Fig. 3.
5
International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems 145 (2023) 108649
Maximization of active power grid connection
Objective function: minimum reduction of active power grid connection
Constraints: power flow constraints, upper and lower limits of grid connected
power constraints
Decision variable: active power grid connected quantity sent by PVMFGCI
Remaining capacity after Middle harmonic and reactive
upper layer optimization power compensation capacity
Power quality management
Harmonic and reactive power compensation reaching the standard
Objective function: THDi exceeding the standard is treated as THDN
Constraints: PVMFGCI capacity limits
Decision variable: harmonic and reactive power primary
compensation quantity issued by PVMFGCI
Remaining capacity after Lower harmonic and reactive
middle layer optimization power compensation capacity
Minimum harmonic and reactive power index
Objective function: minimum harmonic and reactive power indicators
Constraints: PVMFGCI capacity limits
Decision variable: harmonic and reactive power secondary
compensation quantity issued by PVMFGCI
Fig. 3. Three layer optimization model.
3.5. Model solving
The hybrid method of adaptive ant colony algorithm and power flow
calculation is used to solve the objective function of the three-level
programming model to optimize the residual capacity allocation in
PVMFGCI.
The solution idea of the three-layer model of harmonic control and
reactive power compensation optimization of photovoltaic PVMFGCI
capacity distribution is as follows: in the upper layer optimization so­
lution of harmonic control, first calculate the residual capacity of
PVMFGCI after PV active power is connected to the grid, and use the
adaptive ant colony algorithm to calculate the harmonic and reactive
power compensation current; Secondly, check whether the total
distortion rate and power factor of harmonic current at each node are
within the allowable range of grid connection. If there are nodes that
exceed the allowable upper limit of harmonic THDN and the reactive
power coefficient does not meet the standard, it indicates that there is
insufficient PVMFGCI harmonic and reactive power compensation ca­
pacity in the upper harmonic governance optimization. It is necessary to
reduce the amount of active power grid connection of PVMFGCI and
enter the middle-level optimization model for solution. Finally, if all
node THDi and power factor meet the requirements, select the node with
over standard risk through the screening method and enter the lower
optimization model for solution, so as to minimize the node THDi and
power factor index with over standard risk, that is, the solution is
completed. In the solution of the three-level optimization model, the
rated power of PVMFGCI is set as the compensation capacity for har­
monic and reactive power treatment, the adaptive ant colony algorithm
and harmonic power flow calculation are used to solve the middle and
lower level objective functions, and the upper level objective function is
used to screen the middle and lower level optimization ant colony to
obtain the harmonic and reactive current compensation of each fre­
quency issued by PVMFGCI. The flow chart of solving the three-tier
optimization model is shown in Fig. 4.
W. Guo and W. Xu International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems 145 (2023) 108649

start
Input the ant colony algorithm parameters of spanning tree, system load information, node harmonic
and reactive current and relevant parameters of power flow calculation
Calculate the remaining capacity SR1 of PVMFGCI by using the active grid connected power
Calculate the current value IN of harmonic and reactive current
compensation within the range of residual capacity SR1
Initial node harmonic and reactive current compensation, i.e. initial ant population
Ant colony algorithm for harmonic generation and reactive power flow compensation
Solve PVMFGCI harmonic and reactive current compensation value
Upper layer optimization solution
Calculate THDi% and qi
THDi% THDN%
qi qN
Set the harmonic and reactive power compensation capacity of the middle-level
optimization solution as SR1, and calculate the current compensation value IN of node i
Initial ant population of harmonic and reactive
compensation current generated by IN
Ant colony algorithm based on spanning tree and power
flow calculation to solve the middle-level model
Search from the kth ant, record the optimal solution in the iteration times of the
current position, and calculate the active grid connection capacity
The harmonic current and reactive power compensation value of each frequency
emitted by PVMFGCI are obtained by using the middle-level objective function
optional branches are obtained, and the ants are placed at each node
of the system.
2) Taking the residual capacity SR1 as the constraint condition of the
middle-level optimization model, calculate the current value IN of
harmonic and reactive current compensation within the range of
residual capacity, and calculate the residual capacity SR2 after
middle-level optimization on the corresponding node PVMFGCI.
Taking the residual capacity SR2 as the constraint condition of the
lower optimization model, the maximum current value IMAX of har­
monic and reactive current compensation within the range of re­
sidual capacity is calculated.
3) The hybrid method of adaptive ant colony algorithm and power flow
calculation is used to solve the optimization objective function of
harmonic control and reactive power compensation.
4) Calculate the node harmonic and reactive current after system
compensation, and check whether the harmonic voltage distortion
rate and reactive power coefficient of the node exceed THDN and γqN
respectively. When the node harmonic distortion and reactive power
coefficient exceed the standard, it will enter the middle-level opti­
mization. When the harmonic distortion of all nodes meets the re­
quirements, it enters the lower level optimization.
5) Calculate the harmonic and reactive current of each node after
middle-level optimization, and judge the node with over standard
risk. When there is a node at risk of exceeding the standard, it will
enter the lower level optimization. When the harmonics and reactive
power of all nodes meet the requirements, the optimization and so­
lution results will be output.

Calculate THDi% qi. Capacity occupied by PVMFGCI harmonic and 4. Example simulation and analysis
reactive power compensation and residual capacity SR2 of PVMFGCI
Middle level optimization solution
4.1. Example overview and parameter setting

IEEE 33 bus system is selected to verify the effectiveness of harmonic

-THDN 2% THDj THDN 2%
- qN 2% qm qN 2%
Set the harmonic and reactive power compensation capacity of the lower optimization
solution as SR2, and calculate the current compensation value IMAX of node j and node m
Ant colony algorithm based on spanning tree and
power flow calculation to solve the lower model
Using the optimal solution to calculate the active power capacity, the
global optimal solution is obtained
The harmonic current and reactive power compensation value of each
frequency are obtained by using the lower objective function
Calculate THDj% Qm and capacity occupied by
PVMFGCI harmonic and reactive power compensation
Calculate the capacity that mfgci can be used
for active power grid connection
Lower level optimization solution
Output mfgci active power grid connected quantity and node frequency
harmonics and reactive current compensation value THDj qm
end
Fig. 4. Solution flow of three-level optimization model.
The specific steps are as follows:
1) Initialize data. All nodes are coded, and the ant colony algorithm
parameters of spanning tree, system load information, node har­
treatment and reactive power compensation of the proposed three-tier
optimization model. PV is connected at nodes 3, 7, 13, 21 and 31,
PVMFGCI is in the same position as PV, APF is installed at 5, 9, 16, 24
and 31, and the other nodes are ordinary nodes, as shown in Fig. 5. The
parameter settings of PV power generation system are shown in Table 1.
In order to ensure the safe operation of the system, PVMFGCI capacity is
set, and there is still capacity remaining after active power grid
connection, harmonic treatment and reactive power compensation.
The adaptive ant colony algorithm adopts the selection method of
deterministic and random complementarity to adjust the deterministic
probability in real time; For the random case, it is convenient to search
the solution space more comprehensively. Let the total number of iter­
ationsttotal = 150, the number of antsm = 10000, pheromoneQ = 0.1,
pheromone influence factorα = 3, expected heuristic factor β = 5 and
pheromone volatilityρ = 0.02.
4.2. Example simulation analysis
The simulation process is set as follows: input three-phase unbal­
anced resistive load and reactive load in the whole process between 0.2 s
and 0.5 s, and input nonlinear load at 0.4 s; The grid connected inverter
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33
APF APF
PV

monic and reactive power information and relevant parameters of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

power flow calculation are input. The maximum value of active grid
connected quantity is obtained from the maximum tracking power of PV APF PV
APF
PV
APF

PV, making it the active grid connected quantity. Calculate the re­ PV
sidual capacity SR1 after the active power of the corresponding node
PVMFGCI is connected to the grid. According to the spanning tree 19 20 21 22
algorithm, the set of adjacent branches, selected branches and
Fig. 5. IEEE 33 node system PV and APF access diagram.

6
W. Guo and W. Xu International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems 145 (2023) 108649

Table 1
Simulation parameter setting.
NAME Parameter

grid phase voltage Ug = 380 V

grid reference frequency f = 50 Hz
DC side voltage of inverter Udc = 800 V
filter inductance L = 1.5mH
sampling period Ts = 5 × 10–6 s
Fig. 7. Phase a voltage and current of power grid and phase a output current of
balanced load Ra = R b = R c = 8 Ω
grid connected inverter.
Unbalanced load Ra = 12 Ω, Rb = 24 Ω, Rc = 48 Ω
Reactive load Qa = Qb = Qc = 5kVar

works in the power grid connected mode between 0.2 s and 0.3 s. The

Harmonic distortion
three-layer optimization method in the paper is used at 0.3 s. The grid

rate /THD
connected power command value in the whole process is Pref = 4.77 kW.
The simulation results of grid current, phase a voltage and current of
grid and phase a output current of grid connected inverter are shown in
Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Fig. 8 shows the real-time curves of grid current thd,
three-phase unbalance and inverter output average power respectively.
It can be seen from Fig. 6, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 (uga is the phase a voltage
of the power grid; iga is the phase a current of the power grid; ioa is the
phase a output current of the inverter) that the output current of the grid (a) Real time curve of total harmonic distortion rate
connected inverter is a three-phase sine wave in the same phase as the
power supply voltage between 0.2 s and 0.3 s. At this time, the grid

Three phase unbalance /

connected inverter operates in the active power grid connection mode. It
can be seen from Fig. 8 (b) that the three-phase imbalance of the grid
current is 26.5 %; At 0.3 s, due to the addition of the three-layer
governance mode of power quality, the output current waveform of
the grid connected inverter changes. At this time, the grid current with
three-phase imbalance and not in the same phase with the voltage be­
comes a sine wave with three-phase balance and in the same phase with
the grid voltage, and the imbalance of the grid current decreases to 0; In
the process of power quality control of grid connected inverter, the (b) Real time curve of three-phase unbalance
reference value of compensation component current adopts the
improved current detection method based on the improved CPT theory
mentioned above. The calculation of compensation current requires
voltage and current of one fundamental wave period. In addition, due to
the inevitable electromagnetic transient process of load switching, the
dynamic performance of power quality control of grid connected
inverter is affected, and it takes about 0.03 s to reach the steady state in
the simulation. Due to the input of the power quality control function at
0.3 s, the grid connected inverter outputs reactive power to control the
reactive power component of the grid current, which is consistent with
the actual situation.
Fig. 9 shows the power factor change curve before and after reactive (c) Average power curve of inverter output
power compensation using the three-layer optimization model in the
paper. Before treatment, the power factor is below 0.8. After model Fig. 8. Real time curve of total harmonic distortion rate of grid current, three-
optimization treatment, the power factor can reach 0.98 or even close to phase unbalance and average output power of inverter.
1, indicating that the reactive power compensation effect of the opti­
mized model is good.
In order to better verify the effectiveness of the optimization model 1.4
proposed in this paper, three schemes are set to compare and verify the 1.2 After treatment
IEEE 33 bus system: 1.0
power factorλ

Scheme 1: PVMFGCI three-layer optimization model and APF are not

considered, and only PV active power grid connection is considered. 0.8
Scheme 2: only PVMFGCI three-layer optimization model is 0.6
Before treatment
0.4
0.2
0 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
t/s

Fig. 9. Power grid current waveform after treatment.

Fig. 6. Grid current change.

7
W. Guo and W. Xu International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems 145 (2023) 108649

considered, APF is not considered, and the results of harmonic treatment 8

and voltage deviation are analyzed.

Scheme 3: considering the PVMFGCI three-tier optimization model
6 Scheme
and the coordinated governance of APF, jointly improve the power Scheme
quality of IEEE 33 bus system.
Through the example verification, the comparison results of the 4

Voltage deviation
three schemes are obtained, as shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11.
It can be seen from Fig. 10 that the harmonic voltage distortion rate
2
in scheme 1 is high, and some nodes even exceed the standard; Scheme 2
Scheme
can effectively suppress harmonics, make the harmonic voltage distor­
tion rate of some over standard nodes meet the standard, meet the re­ 0

quirements of PV grid connection, and the treatment effect is good;

Scheme 3 combines PVMFGCI three-layer optimization model with APF -2
to control harmonics, the node voltage harmonic distortion rate is
significantly reduced, and its treatment effect is remarkable. 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33
In the 33 node system, node 0 is the grid connected node, the voltage Node number
unit value is set to 1.05, and the node voltage deviation is less than 6 %.
Fig. 11 shows the distribution of voltage deviation under active power Fig. 11. Distribution diagram of node voltage deviation.
grid connection. It can be seen from Fig. 11 that DG active power grid
connection causes node voltage rise. In scheme 3, the node voltage de­
3
viation is significantly reduced, that is, the three-layer optimization
model of power quality designed in this paper can be combined with APF Fish swarm algorithm

to better realize reactive power compensation and keep the node voltage

Fitness value of objective function

Adaptive ant colony algorithm
2.5
deviation within a better range. At the same time, scheme 2 can also Improved genetic algorithm
keep the voltage deviation within a good range by using the residual
capacity of PVMFGCI. However, only using the residual capacity of
2
PVMFGCI for treatment has less reactive power compensation capacity,
and the treatment effect is not as good as the compensation effect of
three-layer optimization model combined with APF, so that the voltage
1.5
deviation of individual nodes is still high.

4.3. Analysis of convergence characteristics 1

Adaptive ant colony algorithm, fish swarm algorithm and improved

0.5
genetic algorithm are used to solve the dynamic optimization model,
and the parameters such as ant colony and maximum iteration times are
the same. Fig. 12 is a comparison diagram of the convergence charac­
0 25 50 75 100 125 150
teristics of the adaptive ant colony algorithm, the fish swarm algorithm
and the improved genetic algorithm when solving the dynamic optimi­
Number of iterations
zation model. Fig. 12. Comparison diagram of convergence characteristic curve.
It can be seen from Fig. 12 that the adaptive ant colony algorithm
obtains the maximum fitness value of the objective function after 150
colony algorithm converges faster and is suitable for the dynamic opti­
iterations, followed by the fish swarm algorithm and the improved ge­
mization model designed in this paper.
netic algorithm. The adaptive ant colony algorithm converges around 30
iterations to solve the optimization objective function, and the fish
5. Conclusion
swarm algorithm and the improved genetic algorithm converge around
54 and 49 iterations respectively, which shows that the adaptive ant
In view of the difference in residual capacity of PVMFGCI after grid
connection under different output conditions, this paper establishes a
two-layer optimization method for power quality under the condition of
5

Scheme 1 insufficient residual capacity of PVMFGCI and a three-layer optimiza­

4 tion method under the condition of sufficient residual capacity of
PVMFGCI, and proposes a reactive power and harmonic optimization
Harmonic voltage distortion rate

method of PVMFGCI. An adaptive ant colony algorithm is used to solve

the objective function of the optimization method, Make full use of the
3

remaining capacity of PVMFGCI for reactive power optimization and

2 harmonic control, greatly improve its utilization rate and improve the
Scheme 2
economic benefits of the power grid. Through the analysis of a 33 node
Scheme 3
example, the PVMFGCI reactive power and harmonic optimization
1
method solved by the adaptive ant colony algorithm can optimize the
power quality of the grid, and does not affect the output power of PV
grid connection. The power quality can meet the standard without
0
installing APF, which improves the economy of PV grid connection
3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33
Node number
operation. Secondly, through the validation of the optimization model,
Fig. 10. Distribution diagram of node harmonic distortion rate opti-mized by the PVMFGCI three-layer optimization model can make the node power
harmonic governance.

8
W. Guo and W. Xu
quality better.
CRediT authorship contribution statement
Wang Guo: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Writing –
original draft. Wu Xu: Formal analysis, Supervision, Writing – review &
editing.
Declaration of Competing Interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial
interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence
the work reported in this paper.
Data availability
No data was used for the research described in the article.
Acknowledgments
The author sincerely thanks the support of the National Natural
Science Foundation of China (51867012) and the 2021 youth Doctoral
Fund Project (2021QB-058).
References
[1] Jinping Xi. Speech at the general debate of the 75th UN General Assembly. Bulletin
of the State Council of the people’s Republic of China 2020;28:5–7.
[2] Yanmei J, Hua J, Yanzheng Q, Jiatong Li, Wang Qing Ru, Jialin CL. Review of
China’s photovoltaic industry in 2020 and prospect in 2021. Sol Energy 2021;04:
42–50.
[3] Zhang Yongjun, Zhang xiheng, Liu siliang, et al. Bilevel programming of
distribution transformer considering distributed photovoltaic and energy storage
access. Power system protection and control, 2020,48 (24): 9-15.
[4] Yang Xinfa, Su Jian, LV Zhipeng, Liu Haitao, Li Rui. Overview of microgrid
technology. Chinese J Electr Eng 2014,34 (01): 57–70.
[5] N. Kumar, B. Singh, J. Wang, and B. K. Panigrahi, “A framework of LHC and AM-
MKF for accurate harmonic supportive control schemes,” IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst.
I, Reg. Papers, early access, Jun. 4, 2020.
[6] S. Kumar and B. Singh, “Implementation of grid interactive and islanded controlled
PV system for residential applications,” inProc. IEEE Ind. Appl. Soc. Annu. Meeting,
Detroit, MI, USA, 2020.
International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems 145 (2023) 108649
[7] Ravindran V, Busatto T, Ronnberg SK, Meyer J, Bollen MHJ. Time-Varying
Interharmonics in Different Types of Grid-Tied PV Inverter Systems. IEEE Trans
Power Deliv 2020;35(2):483–96.
[8] Reveles-Miranda M, Flota-Bañuelos M, Chan-Puc F, Ramirez-Rivera V, Pacheco-
Catalán D. A hybrid control technique for harmonic elimination, power factor
correction, and night operation of a gridconnected PV inverter. IEEE J Photovolt
Mar. 2020;10(2):664–75.
[9] N. Mukundan C. M., Y. Singh, S. B. Q. Naqvi, B. Singh, and J. Pychadathil, “Multi-
objective solar power conversion system with MGI control for grid integration at
adverse operating conditions,” IEEE Trans Sustain Energy, vol. 11, no. 4, pp.
2901–2910, Oct. 2020.
[10] Kewat S, Singh B. Modified amplitude adaptive control algorithm for power quality
improvement in multiple distributed generation system. IET Power Electron 2019;
12(9):2321–9.
[11] Jiang Y, Zhang B. Comparative study of Riemann-Liouville and Caputo derivative
definitions in time-domain analysis of fractional-order capacitor. IEEE Trans
Circuits Syst II, Exp Briefs Oct 2020;67(10):2184–8.
[12] Kumar N, Singh B, Panigrahi BK. LLMLF-based control approach and LPO MPPT
technique for improving performance of a multifunctional three-phase two-stage
grid integrated PV system. IEEE Trans Sustain Energy Jan. 2020;11(1):371–80.
[13] Ghaderi Hassan M, Adelpour M, Rashidirad N, et al. Analysis and damping of high-
frequency oscillations at the presence of distributed constant power loads. Int. J.
Electr. Power Energy Syst. 2020;123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
ijepes.2020.106220.
[14] Rodrigues de Jesus VM, Cupertino AF, Xavier LS, et al. Operation limits of grid-tied
photovoltaic inverters with harmonic current compensation based on capability
curves. IEEE Trans Energy Convers 2021;36(3):2088–98.
[15] Xavier LS, Cupertino AF, Pereira HA, et al. Partial harmonic current compensation
for multifunctional photovoltaic inverters. IEEE Trans Power Electron 2019;34
(12):11868–79.
[16] Yin H, Chen Y, Chen ZY, et al. Adaptive fast fault location for open-switch faults of
voltage source inverter. IEEE Trans Circuits Syst I: Regular Papers 2021;68(9):
3965–74.
[17] Lv LY, Fu J, Wen G, Huang T, Yu X. Distributed adaptive observer-based control for
output consensus of heterogeneous MASs with input saturation constraint. IEEE
Trans Circuits Syst I, Reg Papers, Mar 2020;67(3):995–1007.
[18] Dehkordi NM, Baghaee HR, Sadati N, Guerrero JM. Distributed noise-resilient
secondary voltage and frequency control for islanded microgrids. IEEE Trans Smart
Grid Jul. 2019;10(4):3780–90.
[19] Sharma R, Kewat S, Singh B. Power quality improvement in SyRG-PV-BES-based
standalone microgrid using ESOGI-FLL-WIF control algorithm. IEEE Trans Ind Appl
2022;58(1):686–96.
[20] Mohammad MH, Tzung LL, Mehdi S. Real-time supervisory control for power
quality improvement of multi-area microgrids. IEEE Syst J 2019;13:864–87.
[21] Zhou JG, Sun HB, Xu YL, et al. Distributed power sharing control for islanded
single-/three-phase microgrids with admissible voltage and energy storage
constraints. IEEE Trans Smart Grid 2021;12(4):2760–75.