Power Quality Control of Addis Abeba Light Rail Train Power Supply System using Static VAR Compensator and Harmonic Filter

Electric traction systems generate various power quality problems that have a negative impact on its distribution network. Poor power quality affects the performance of the train and introduces a problem in the distribution network. Power quality is the main issues in electrical railway systems. In this thesis Static VAR Compensator and Harmonic Filters are modeled and simulated using a Matlab/Simulink environment of Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Systems. The analysis is performed on the St.Yoseph traction substation. The electrical parameters are taken from Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit phase I project of Ethiopian Railway Corporation. Simulation is carried out and results are compared with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard limits. Static Var Compensator and Harmonic Filter are designed, modeled and simulated using Matlab/ Simulink. The simulation result at Point of Common Coupling for train full load shows that a Total Harmonic Distortion is reduced from 16.38% to 0.36% for current and Total Harmonic Distortion is reduced from 6.99% to 0.26% for voltage in worst scenario, which is below 5% limits of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard. In addition to that the system power factor is improved from 0.94 to 0.98.