Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The use of power electronic converters provides a more efficient, accurate and dynamic solution to reactive compensation. In this thesis the application of power electronic converters to shunt reactive compensation will be discussed. In particular voltage dips and voltage unbalance are considered as both can be mitigated by means of shunt reactive compensation. A pre-existing uninterruptible power supply is adapted to operate as a shunt reactive compensator. The uninterruptible power supply consists of a 250 kVA three phase voltage source inverter. The modifications are limited to software and control algorithms that do not alter the normal operation of the uninterruptible power supply. Control algorithms are designed and discussed in detail. A typical double loop control strategy is implemented on the power electronic converter. The inner loop consists of a dead-beat current controller. The outer loop consists of three proportional and integral controllers controlling the DC-bus voltage, AC voltage and voltage unbalance respectively. Voltage dips and unbalance are compensated for using only reactive power. Focus is placed on producing a result can be used easily in practice. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Drywings elektroniese omsetters wat gebruik word vir newe reaktiewe kompensasie lewer meer effektiewe, akkurate en dinamiese resultate. In hierdie tesis word die toepassing van drywings elektroniese omsetters vir newe reaktiewe kompensasie bespreek. Daar word meer spesifiek na spannings duike en spannings wanbalans gekyk aangesien albei met newe reaktiewe kompensasie verminder kan word. ’n Bestaande nood kragbron is aangepas om as n newe reaktiewe kompenseerder te funksioneer. Die nood kragbron bestaan hoofsaaklik uit ’n 250 kVA drie fase omsetter spanningsbron. Die aanpassings is beperk tot sagteware en beheer algoritmes wat nie die oorspronklike funksionaliteit van die nood krag bron beinvloed nie. Beheer algoritmes word ontwerp en deeglik bespreek. ’n Tipiese dubbel lus beheer strategie word op die drywings elektroniese omsetter toegepas. Die binnelus bestaan uit ’n voorspellende stroom beheerder. Die buite-lus bestaan uit drie proportioneel en integraal beheerders wat onderskeidelik die GS-bus spanning, WS spanning en spanning wanbalans reguleer. Spannings duike en wanbalans is verminder deur slegs reaktiewe drywing te gebruik. Die doel was ook om ’n prakties bruikbare resultaat te lewer.