Instrumentation for Verification of Shunt Active Power Filter Algorithms.

This article presents a comprehensive system for testing and verifying shunt active power filter control methods. The aim of this experimental platform is to provide tools to a user to objectively compare the individual control methods. The functionality of the system was verified on a hardware platform using least mean squares and recursive least squares algorithms. In the experiments, an average relative suppression of the total harmonic distortion of 22% was achieved. This article describes the principle of the shunt active power filter, the used experimental platform of the controlled current injection source, its control system based on virtual instrumentation and control software and ends with experimental verification. The discussion of the paper outlines the extension of the experimental platform with the cRIO RTOS control system to reduce the latency of reference current generation and further planned research including motivation.

Review of Fundamental Active Current Extraction Techniques for SAPF.

The field of advanced digital signal processing methods is one of the fastest developing scientific and technical disciplines, and is important in the field of Shunt Active Power Filter control methods. Shunt active power filters are highly desirable to minimize losses due to the increase in the number of nonlinear loads (deformed power). Currently, there is rapid development in new adaptive, non-adaptive, and especially hybrid methods of digital signal processing. Nowadays, modern methods of digital signal processing maintain a key role in research and industrial applications. Many of the best practices that have been used to control shunt active power in industrial practice for decades are now being surpassed in favor of new progressive approaches. This systematic research review classifies the importance of using advanced signal processing methods in the field of shunt active power filter control methods and summarizes the extant harmonic extraction methods, from the conventional approach to new progressive methods using genetic algorithms, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Synchronization techniques are described and compared as well.

Design of a Measuring System for Electricity Quality Monitoring within the SMART Street Lighting Test Polygon: Pilot Study on Adaptive Current Control Strategy for Three-Phase Shunt Active Power Filters.

This study focuses on the design of a measuring system for monitoring the power quality within the SMART street lighting test polygon at university campuses with relation to testing an adaptive current control strategy for three-phase shunt active power filters. Unlike conventional street lighting, SMART elements are powered 24/7. Due to the electronic character of the power part of such mass appliances, there are increased problems with the power quality of the electric energy. Compared to the current concept of street lighting, there is a significant increase in the content of higher current harmonic components, which cause several problems in the distribution system. The test polygon contains 16 luminaires made by various manufacturers and mounted with various SMART components. Using the polygon control and monitoring system, dynamic load scenarios were selected. These scenarios tested the possibilities of different adaptive current control strategies for three-phase shunt active power filters to improve the power quality of electricity. This study focuses on three adaptive algorithms that respond to dynamic changes of current harmonics level in real-time. The possibility of active filter control was tested using FPGA, mainly due to the low latency of the filter control part.

Evaluation of respiratory allergies burden and management in primary care and comparative analysis of health care data from Romania, Poland, Czech Republic and Bulgaria - preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory allergies mostly allergic rhinitis and asthma represent an important and increasing public health problem and one of the priorities for the European health systems. There is an increasing public concern regarding the persistence and severity of allergic diseases and many difficulties of health systems in providing prompt specialized medical assistance. Our study aims to highlight the main results of the Alliance 4Life project focused on the evaluation of the burden and management of respiratory allergies in primary care from Romania and comparative health-related data from four Central and Eastern European countries. METHOD: We developed a questionnaire focused on patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma directly addressed to general practitioner (GP) specialists from Romania who attended the annual national conference in Bucharest. RESULTS: The main results showed that patients with respiratory allergies are frequently encountered in primary care practice, only a few patients are evaluated by allergists and there is a clear need for education in this field. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study confirms that respiratory allergies represent a considerable burden in primary care and the questionnaire may be a useful tool in further studies considering the experience of other healthcare systems. More advanced studies integrating epidemiology with data on air pollution and environmental conditions should be envisaged.