Power Quality Study

The term power quality is applied to a wide variety of electromagnetic phenomena on the power system. The increasing application of electronic equipment and distributed generation has heightened the interest in power quality in recent years, and this has been accompanied by the development of a special terminology to describe the phenomena. Unfortunately, this terminology has not been consistent across different segments of the industry. This has caused a considerable amount of confusion as both vendors and end users have struggled to understand why electrical equipment is not working as expected. Likewise, it is confusing to wade through the vendor jargon and differentiate between a myriad of proposed solutions. Many ambiguous words have been used that have multiple or unclear meanings. For example, surge is used to describe a wide variety of disturbances that cause equipment failures or misoperation. A surge suppressor can suppress some of these but will have absolutely no effect on others. Terms like glitch and blink that have no technical meaning at all have crept into the vocabulary. Unscrupulous marketers take advantage of the ignorance of the general public, selling overpriced gadgets with near-miraculous claims for improving the power quality. Of course, this all comes with a money-back guarantee. Readers can protect themselves by obtaining a better understanding of power quality vocabulary and insisting on technical explanations of how a gadget works.
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Power Quality (PQ) related issues are of most concern nowadays. The widespread use of electronic equipment, such as information technology equipment, power electronics such as adjustable speed drives (ASD), programmable logic controllers (PLC), energy-efficient lighting, led to a complete change of electric loads nature. These loads are simultaneously the major causers and the major victims of power quality problems. Due to their non-linearity, all these loads cause disturbances in the voltage waveform. Along with technology advance, the organization of the worldwide economy has evolved towards globalisation and the profit margins of many activities tend to decrease. The increased sensitivity of the vast majority of processes (industrial, services and even residential) to PQ problems turns the availability of electric power with quality a crucial factor for competitiveness in every activity sector. The most critical areas are the continuous process industry and the information technology services. When a disturbance occurs, huge financial losses may happen, with the consequent loss of productivity and competitiveness.

Although many efforts have been taken by utilities, some consumers require a level of PQ higher than the level provided by modern electric networks. This implies that some measures must be taken in order to achieve higher levels of Power Quality.

Even the most advanced transmission and distribution systems are not able to provide electrical energy with the desired level of reliability for the proper functioning of the loads in modern society. Modern T&D (transmission and distribution) systems are projected for 99,9 to 99,99% availability. This value is highly dependant of redundancy level of the network, which is different according to the geographical location and the voltage level (availability is higher at the HV network). In some remote sites, availability of T&D systems may be as low as 99%. Even with a 99,99% level there is an equivalent interruption time of 52 minutes per year. The most demanding processes in the modern digital economy need electrical energy with 99.9999999% availability (9-nines reliability) to function properly.

Benefits of power quality analysing By analysing power quality following benefits can be obtained. Interferences and failure detection Non-linear loads with high content of harmonics, loose bus bars, switching problems with capacitor banks and similar problems can essentially decrease availability of electric equipment or electric distribution systems. Detection of failure/interferences generation points can be easily found with a suitable Power Quality Analyser. Advanced power resources management and predictive diagnostics Optimised daily or weekly consumption diagrams can essentially reduce costs for electricity and infrastructure. Reducing electric energy losses, control of peak consumption and improving power factor can bring important savings. Power Quality Analyser will simplify decision-making. - 3 - Input power quality evaluation according to EN 50160 Transients, voltage variations and supply interruptions often come from the supply network and influence operations of internal electrical systems. Loss of data, shorter life span of the electronic equipment, increased rejection level on production lines etc. are consequences of bad quality power supply. Supply voltage quality can be assessed in accordance with relevant “Power Quality” standards (example: EN 50160). Advanced Power Quality Analysers will produce “Quality compliance” report which can be used for further negotiations with electro-distribution company if necessary.

Solutions for PQ Problems

The mitigation of PQ problems may take place at different levels: transmission, distribution and the enduse equipment. several measures can be taken at these levels. Solutions for digital power . Grid Adequacy Many PQ problems have origin in the transmission or distribution grid. Thus, a proper transmission and distribution grid, with adequate planning and maintenance, is essential to minimize the occurrence of PQ problems. . Distributed Resources – Energy Storage Systems Interest in the use of distributed energy resources (DER) has increased substantially over the last few years because of their potential to provide increased reliability. These resources include distributed generation and energy storage systems. Energy storage systems, also known as restoring technologies, are used to provide the electric loads with ride-through capability in poor PQ environment.

NECPL offers Power Factor Study after analyzing consumer power factor in last 12 months billing cycle.

The study is carried out at Mains (Upstream) and at various major Load Points / feeders (Downstream). It shall help in following way :

• Designing and implementing the Correct and suitable P.F. Correction system scheme for the network in terms of Location, rating, sequence, voltage, type etc.
• To avoid penalties and to take incentive from utility company by maintaining higher power factor.
• To avoid any negative interaction between Non Linear Loads (Harmonic Source) and capacitor Banks
• Helps in Improving the efficiency existing system by checking APFC / capacitor health.

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