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⚡ Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR): DVR Sliding Mode Control Strategy of Dynamic Voltage Restorer

A Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) is one of the most effective custom power devices used in power distribution systems to protect sensitive loads from voltage disturbances such as voltage sags, swells, and harmonics. It operates by injecting a compensating voltage in series with the supply to maintain a constant load voltage, typically at 1 per unit (pu).

Sliding mode control strategy of dynamic voltage restorer
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🔍 Why Do We Need a DVR?

⚠️ Voltage sags commonly occur due to:

  • Short-circuit faults

  • Sudden connection of large loads

  • Motor starting

  • Grid disturbances

📉 Even a short-duration sag can:

  • Trip sensitive equipment

  • Damage power electronic devices

  • Interrupt industrial processes

✅ The DVR acts as a fast-acting voltage compensator, ensuring uninterrupted and high-quality power supply.

🏗️ Basic Operating Principle of DVR

🔌 The DVR is connected in series between the supply and the sensitive load.

🧠 Working concept:

  • Continuously monitors grid voltage

  • Detects voltage sag/swell or harmonics

  • Injects an appropriate compensating voltage

  • Maintains load voltage at rated value (1 pu)

📌 The load never “sees” the disturbance.

🧩 Key Components of a DVR System

🔋 DC Energy Storage

  • Stores energy required during voltage sag

  • Can be:

    • Batteries

    • Supercapacitors

    • DC-link capacitors

⚙️ Voltage Source Converter (IGBT-Based)

  • Converts DC power to AC

  • Injects required compensating voltage

  • High switching frequency ensures fast response

🌀 Series Injection Transformer

  • Injects DVR voltage into the distribution line

  • Provides isolation and voltage matching

🎛️ Series Filter (LC Filter)

  • Smoothens inverter output

  • Reduces switching harmonics

📐 Step 1: Per-Unit (PU) Conversion

🔢 Measured load voltage is converted into per-unit values✔️ Simplifies controller design✔️ Improves numerical stability

🔄 Step 2: ABC → DQ Transformation

🧭 Three-phase voltages (ABC) are transformed into:

  • VD (Direct-axis voltage)

  • VQ (Quadrature-axis voltage)

📌 Advantages:

  • Decoupled control

  • Easier regulation

  • Reduced complexity

🎯 Step 3: Reference Comparison

  • ⚖️ VD → compared with 1 pu reference

  • ⚖️ VQ → compared with zero

This ensures:

  • Correct voltage magnitude

  • Proper phase alignment

🛠️ Sliding Mode Control (SMC) in DVR

🧲 Why Sliding Mode Control?

✔️ Robust against parameter variations✔️ High disturbance rejection✔️ Fast dynamic response

⚙️ How SMC Works

  • Defines sliding surfaces for VD and VQ

  • Forces system states to converge to reference

  • Maintains stability even during faults and harmonics

📌 Ideal for nonlinear power electronic systems like DVRs.

🔁 Step 4: DQ → ABC Conversion

🔄 Controlled VD and VQ are transformed back into three-phase reference voltages

⚡ These references are:

  • Compared with actual load voltage

  • Used to generate PWM pulses

🎚️ Voltage Injection Process

🧩 The series inverter injects:

  • Missing voltage during sag

  • Opposite voltage during harmonic distortion

🎯 Result:

  • Load voltage remains constant at 1 pu

⚠️ Case 1: Voltage Sag Condition

  • Grid voltage drops suddenly

  • DVR detects sag within milliseconds

  • Injects compensating voltage

  • Load voltage stays constant

✔️ No interruption to sensitive load

🎼 Case 2: Harmonic Injection

  • Nonlinear loads introduce harmonics

  • DVR injects opposing harmonic voltage

  • Cancels distortion

📉 THD is significantly reduced📈 Power quality is improved

📊 Performance Highlights of DVR with SMC

✅ Fast dynamic response✅ Accurate voltage regulation✅ Strong harmonic mitigation✅ Robust under grid faults✅ Suitable for real-time implementation

🏁 Conclusion

🚀 The Dynamic Voltage Restorer with Sliding Mode Control is a powerful solution for modern power distribution systems. By combining:

  • Real-time voltage sensing

  • Per-unit normalization

  • DQ-frame control

  • Sliding Mode Control

  • Series voltage injection

…the DVR ensures that sensitive loads always receive a clean, stable, and uninterrupted voltage supply, even under severe grid disturbances.

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