Optimizing Renewable Energy Integration in Weak Grids with UPQC Controller

Abstract

Integrating renewable energy into weak grids poses significant challenges, including voltage
instability, power quality deterioration, and limited capacity to handle variable generation. This
paper proposes a methodology to improve the Power Quality in the weak grid with renewable
energy penetration using additional Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC) Controller.
Bird Swarm Optimization algorithm is implemented in the conventional scheme to minimize
the oscillations in the voltage signals. The proposed control system evaluates the switching
signals for the UPQC while accounting for variations in the grid's strength, wind speed, load
currents, and dc link voltage dynamics. The efficiency of the suggested strategy for improving
the PQ performance of weak grid-connected renewable energy sources in the presence of
nonlinear loads was demonstrated by simulations conducted in MATLAB and experimental
research.