An Approach for Determining Voltage Imbalance Contributions Based on Complex Independent Component Analysis

In the context of power quality problems, the voltage imbalance index is relevant, given its harmful impacts on the networks and loads. Thus, reliable and viable methodologies for practical use are necessary to determine agents’ contributions. This article presents a noninvasive method for sharing responsibility for imbalances based on the principle of superposing the individual voltage imbalance produced by the parties. A procedure based on the Complex Independent Component Analysis (CICA) technique is proposed to meet the parameters required by the superposition method. Based on the measurements of voltages and currents carried out on the point of common coupling (PCC), the negative sequence impedances are determined using the CICA method under the terms needed by the superposition principle. The methodology’s effectiveness is evaluated through performance comparisons carried out over the process, in light of the response from the methods for sharing responsibilities currently published in the literature of this domain. The results obtained through the proposed approach show good adherence to the procedures presented with solid conceptual bases. However, unlike these, this article’s methodology offers practical perspectives for application in the field.