References for SARFI PQ Index

Published by Terry Chandler, Director of Engineering, Power Quality Thailand LTD/Power Quality Inc., USA.
E-mail: 
terryc@powerquality.org
terryc@powerquality.co.th

FYI, PQView calculates these automatically from the PQView database of all instruments. For more information on PQView, you can visit the blog post PQView & PQView DE

System Average RMS (Variation) Frequency References for SARFI PQ-index_voltage References for SARFI PQ -SARFIx

References for SARFI PQ -SARFIx2represents the average number of specified rms variation measurement events that occurred over the assessment period per customer served, where the specified disturbances are those with a magnitude less than x for sags or a magnitude greater than x for swells:

References for SARFI PQ -SARFIx3

where

x = percentage of nominal rms voltage threshold; possible values – 140, 120, 110, 90, 80, 70, 50, and 10

References for SARFI PQ -Ni = number of customers experiencing short-duration voltage deviations with magnitudes above X percent for X > 100 or below X percent for X percent for X < 100 due to measurement event

References for SARFI PQ -NT = total number of customers served from the section of the system to be assessed

Notice that SARFI is defined with respect to the voltage threshold x. For example, if a utility has customers that are only susceptible to sags below 70 percent of nominal voltage, this disturbance group can be assessed using References for SARFI PQ -SARFIx4. The eight defined threshold values for the index are not arbitrary. They are chosen to coincide with the following:

140,120, and 110. Overvoltage segments of the ITI curve.

90, 80, and 70. Undervoltage segments of ITI curve.

50. Typical break point for assessing motor contactors.

10. IEEE Standard 1159 definition of an interruption.

An increasing popular use of SARFI is to define the threshold as a curve. For example,  References for SARFI PQ -SARFI_ITIC would represent the frequency of rms variation events outside the ITI curve voltage tolerance envelope. Three such curve indices are commonly computed:

References for SARFI PQ -SARFIcbema_itic_semi

This group of indices is similar to the System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) value that man utilities have calculated for years. References for SARFI PQ -SARFIx2, however, assesses more than just interruptions. The frequency of occurrences of rms variations of varying magnitudes can be assessed using References for SARFI PQ -SARFIx2. Note that References for SARFI PQ -SARFIx2 is defined for short-duration variations as defined by IEEE Standard 1159.

There are three additional indices that are subsets of References for SARFI PQ -SARFIx2. These indices assess variations of a specific IEEE Standard 1159 duration category:

1.System Instantaneous Average RMS (Variation) Frequency Index
References for SARFI PQ -SIARFIx
2.System Momentary Average RMS (Variation) Frequency Index
References for SARFI PQ -SMARFIx
3.System Temporary Average RMS (Variation) Frequency Index
References for SARFI PQ -STARFIx

SARFI for the EPRI DPQ project

Table 8.1 shows that statistics for various forms of SARFI computed for the measurements taken by the EPRI DPQ project. These particular values are rms variation frequencies for substation sites in number of events per 365 days. One-minute temporal aggregation was used, and the data were treated using sampling weights. This can serve as a reference benchmark for distribution systems in the United States.

Example index computation procedure

This example is based on actual data recorded on one of the feeders monitored during the EPRI DPQ project. This illustrates some of the practical issues involved in computing the indices.

References for SARFI PQ -table8

Reference

Electrical Power Systems Quality, Second Edition. Chapter 8 Power Quality Benchmarking.

Need of Voltage Quality Regulation in the Future

Published by

  • S.Bhattacharyya, Dr. J.M.A.Myrzik, J.F.G.Cobben, and Prof. W.L.Kling,  Electrical Power Systems Group Technical University Eindhoven Eindhoven, the Netherlands
    E-mail: s.bhattacharyya@tue.nl
  • M.van Lumig and Dr. M.Didden Business Development Team Laborelec NL Beek-Maastricht Airport, the Netherlands

Published in 9th International Conference on Electrical Power Quality and Utilisation

Date: 9-11 Oct. 2007, Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

Electricity as a commodity should satisfy strict quality requirements. In the last two decades, the customer’s urge for good quality of power supply has increased due to the use of more sensitive electronic devices which on the other hand might influence the electricity network too. At present, no definite responsibility with respect to power quality (PQ) aspects at the point of connection (POC) is defined in the European standard EN50160 or other standard. Also, the limiting values for various power quality parameters differ in different standards available in different countries of the world. For implementing power quality regulation in the future electricity infrastructure, it is required to evaluate the actual performance level of the electricity network. In this paper, various PQ related problems in different countries of the world are highlighted. A brief overview is presented on the present PQ status of the Dutch network and other PQ related activities.

Keywords: power quality; regulation; point of connection; EN50160; PQ monitoring.

INTRODUCTION

Modern customers use large number of sophisticated, high sensitive equipment’s: for example computers, electronic ballasts, variable speed drives and other power electronic devices for their regular activities. These devices require reliable power supply which should possess a high level of power quality (PQ). However, due to their non-linear characteristics most of these devices often cause distortions in the supply voltage which might lead to poor PQ at the POC. From worldwide customer surveys, it is noticed that the complaints due to poor PQ are increasing every year among different types of customers. To identify the sources of problems, number of PQ monitoring programs have been implemented or are in progress in different countries all over the world. Voltage quality, one of the important attributes of PQ, is a multi-dimensional issue which comprises several parameters. In the international communities both IEEE and IEC (International Electro-technical Committee) have created a group of standards that addresses various PQ parameters from a variety of perspectives. In most of the European countries, the CENELEC standard EN50160 is used as a basis for the ‘National Grid Code’ for low and medium voltage networks. Various voltage quality parameters are defined in EN50160. The values of voltage quality parameters indicated in EN50160 are often found too loose for most of the European networks [1]. In South Africa the national standard NRS 048-2 is used to define the power quality of the electric supply. Therefore, a harmonization among various standards is required to judge the actual performance of a network while comparing it with the other. In this paper, the requirement of power quality regulation is emphasized and a brief comparison is done on various PQ related standards available for different countries. An overview of PQ problems experienced by the customers throughout the world is highlighted. In the last part of this paper, the ‘state of art’ of the PQ activities for the Dutch network are discussed and the project called ‘Voltage quality in the future infrastructures’ – (‘Kwaliteit van de spanning in toekomstige infrastructuren (KTI)’ in Dutch), is described. In this project, a long-term continuous PQ monitoring program has been started at different locations in the low and medium voltage networks of the Dutch grid.

POWER QUALITY AT POINT OF CONNECTION

Defining Power Quality

Regulators are more and more interested in all aspects of the power supply that have an impact on the customer’s devices from the view point of voltage quality and supply reliability [1]. Besides this, in the changing electricity market due to liberalization and deregulations, the customers have become more aware of the ‘quality of service’ (QOS) of the electricity that is provided by the network operator. The Council of European Energy Regulators defines the quality of service as a combination of reliability and power quality of the electric supply, and the relational aspects between the utility and customers (commercial quality) and is shown in Figure 1.

Need of Voltage Quality Regulation in the Future_figure1

Figure 1. Quality of Service defined by CEER [2]

Power quality is often considered as a combination of voltage and current quality. In most of the cases, it is considered that the network operator is responsible for voltage quality (VQ) at the point of connection (POC) while the customer’s load often influences the current quality (CQ) at the POC. These two characteristics VQ and CQ affect each other by mutual interaction that might lead to the distortion of the power supply at the POC. Therefore, it becomes difficult to identify the actual cause of poor power quality. [4]. Various PQ disturbances can be classified into two main categories: 1) ‘continuous’ or ‘variation type’ and 2) ‘discrete’ or ‘event type’. Continuous type disturbances are present in every cycle and typically include voltage variations, unbalance, flicker, and harmonics. Discrete type disturbances appear as isolated and independent events and mainly include voltage dips, voltage swells and oscillatory or impulsive transients. [5]

Defining Point of Connection

The point of connection (POC) is the physical point of connection of the customer with the utility grid. Another term often used by utility is the so called point of common coupling (PCC). PCC is defined as the closest electrical point at which more than one customer may be commonly connected to the network. PCC may or may not be the same physical point as POC, depending on the network configuration [3]. In Figure 2, PCC and POC are explained.

Need of Voltage Quality Regulation in the Future_figure2

Figure 2. Definitions of PCC and POC

For both the load points load 1 and load 2, PCC is located at ‘Bus 1’. On the contrary, POC is the same physical point as PCC for load 1 while these two points are different for load-2. III.

OVERVIEW OF POWER QUALITY PROBLEMS

In the last two decades, PQ related problems have increased largely in almost every country. Modern society is highly dependent on digital technology and electronic devices. The uses of computers, data processing equipment’s, variable speed drives, electronic ballasts, etc. have increased enormously. These devices are very sensitive to voltage variations. On the other hand, these devices produce distortions in the voltage waveform due to their non-linear characteristics and therefore influence the quality of power supply. Typical PQ complaints arise from the customer side when the operation of those sensitive devices are affected leading to data loss, corruption or damage of data, physical damage of sensitive devices, flickering of computer screens, or complete loss of the power supply. It is noticed that the sensitivity to a PQ disturbance varies among the different types of customers as the financial loss associated with the poor PQ might differ appreciably.

Power Quality Complaints Worldwide- Brief Summary

From various surveys it is found that the complaints related to PQ disturbances are growing all over the world. The frequency of PQ disturbances and associated problems depend on many factors: such as type of customer and the equipment involved, the topology and the length of the electric lines supplying the customers and the geographical area. From various studies, it is observed that almost 70% of the PQ disturbances are originated at the customer’s premises while 30% are developed at the utility side [7].

Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) conducted a five year (1990-1995) monitoring program for distribution power quality (DPQ-I) among 24 utilities throughout the United States of America. Another program DPQ-II was conducted in 2001-2002. From these study results, it was found that voltage sags (dips), transient over-voltages, voltage swells and momentary interruptions are common PQ problems in the American network. In 1998, a PQ survey was done by Florida Power Corporation among different electricity customers of the United States of America and the result is shown in Figure 3.

Need of Voltage Quality Regulation in the Future_figure3

Figure 3. PQ problems experienced by American customers [6]

In 2001, European Copper Institute has done a PQ survey covering 1,400 sites in 8 countries of Europe. It is found that harmonic distortions, power supply reliability, voltage dips and electromagnetic compatibility are the most important issues for the European countries [8]. In the United Kingdom the complaints are due to supply standards which include fault interruptions and supply quality issues relating to voltage dips, harmonics and flicker [9].

In Tasmania, PQ survey has been conducted by Hydro-Electric Corporation in the year of late ’90s. It is found that there are no severe problems with quality of electricity supply in Tasmania. However some PQ problems do exist that include under-voltages and over-voltages, voltage dips, interruptions and harmonics [10]. In South Africa, voltage dips and transients have been identified as major PQ problems as large part of the electricity infrastructure consists of overhead lines [11].

In the year 2004-2005, Laborelec and KEMA have jointly conducted a PQ survey among different types of customers in the Netherlands. It was found that the majority of the complaints are registered by the domestic customers (56%) followed by the commercial (12%), agricultural (11%) and small-scale industrial customers (10%). Various PQ problems as reported by the customers are shown in Figure 4.

Need of Voltage Quality Regulation in the Future_figure4

Figure 4. PQ problems in the Netherlands [12]

Identifying PQ Problems and their Consequences

Different PQ problems have varying importance for different types of customers.

  • It is generally noticed that the residential customers suffer inconveniences due to under voltage and light flicker. These problems generally do not have major direct financial impacts.
  • Agricultural customer’s complaints are due to under voltage and stray voltage problems which affect the behavior of the domestic animals and the production.
  • Commercial customers face problems for damaged equipment and business down time, data loss etc. due to sudden voltage dips. Also, there are complaints on neutral currents due to harmonics that cause additional heating of the equipment’s. This group of customers is also vulnerable to sudden transient surges which can cause unwanted tripping of the protective devices.
  • For large industries (for example semiconductor industry, paper plants, glass and steel industries etc.) suffer large financial losses when voltage dips occur at their plant sites. Therefore, voltage dips are considered as main problem for continuous process operation. The industrial customers complain against harmonics and resonances that cause fast ageing and early failure of the equipment’s. Flickering of light are also considered as irritating problems.

From the survey of European Copper Institute in 8 countries of Europe (2001), it was found that poor PQ has large technical consequences and is shown in Figure 5.

Need of Voltage Quality Regulation in the Future_figure5

Figure 5. Consequences of poor PQ in Europe [8]

Poor PQ in different business sectors can cause large financial losses annually [13]. Various financial impacts because of poor PQ can be categorized as follows:

  • Direct costs: Lost production, damaged product, damaged equipment, loss of raw material, salary costs during non-productive hours, extra maintenance etc. [14].
  • Indirect / Hidden costs: Costs of lost sales, cost of premature equipment failure, costs of out of specification product or services [14], costs associated with poor reputation for non-delivery etc..
  • Non-material inconveniences: Some inconveniences due to PQ disturbances cannot be expressed in terms of money (for example: loss of entertainment).

From the above discussion a brief summary on some consequences of poor PQ is obtained. It is important to identify the actual sources of problems and mitigate them. Presently, there is a dilemma for the network operators, customers, and the equipment manufacturers, who should take the responsibility for PQ problems encountered as no standard regulation is currently available for POC.

TOWARDS POWER QUALITY REGULATION

In the deregulated market, the network operators are under pressure to provide good quality power at low price. Price and quality are complementary terms but together they define the value of the service that the customers obtain from the electricity network. To reduce the price, the network operator may try to compromise the quality of power supply. To prevent this undesired reduction of quality, the need of quality regulation is considered important and is adopted by the energy regulators within Europe and elsewhere. [15]

Due to the multi-dimensional nature and inherent difficulties in the measurements, the power quality regulation is rather complicated. To make it more structured and effective, the main issues have been identified as follows:

  • Develop a good understanding of PQ aspects and its measurement processes. It can be done by monitoring the performance of the existing system, quantify and compare them in light with the international best practice available.
  • Define an optimal desired quality level that the customer ideally would like to achieve.
  • Choose appropriate quality control in order to achieve the defined objectives. In Figure 6, three types of quality control are distinguished.

Need of Voltage Quality Regulation in the Future_figure6

Figure 6. Overview of quality control [16]

The indirect method of quality control covers performance monitoring of the network and making the information available to the public. Secondly, it is required to develop the minimum standard for the power supply. It can be achieved by comparing various national and international standards and define clearly the limiting values for each PQ parameter. The network under consideration has to meet the minimum standard requirements that might be defined by the regulators. Under the third quality control method, incentive schemes are proposed. It is a bridge between the actual performance and the financial incentives (as penalty or a reward). This method is considered quite effective but complicated as it requires large numbers of performance monitoring at every part of the network. From the monitored data, the actual power quality of the network can be obtained in comparison to the minimum standard requirements.

Requirement of Performance Monitoring

Performance monitoring of an electricity network is the first step towards the development of power quality regulation and is considered as an ‘indirect’ method, as shown in Figure 6. PQ problems encompass a wide range of different phenomena with time scales between tens of nanoseconds to steady state. Many PQ problems arise from the incompatibility in the electrical environment between the utility supply system and the equipment it serves. By continuous monitoring of PQ data, the sources causing poor power quality might be identified. A majority of PQ problems can be characterized through the measurement of voltage and current [17]. As PQ events are relatively infrequent, continuous PQ monitoring of the system is required for an extended period (for example: three to five years) and all the related data have to be recorded. From the monitored data, the system operator would be able to identify any abnormal conditions of the network that might have occurred during the monitored period. If the problem is identified accurately, it might be possible to prevent it. Also, the accurateness of analysis of the monitored data and their correct interpretations are required to judge the actual performance level of the network. Six scale classification methodology, containing ‘A’ for the best quality, ‘C’ for the normal quality up to ‘F’ for the extremely poor quality, was proposed to quantify the quality of a grid [4]. To maintain a better customer relationship, all the information related to the system performance has to be available to the customers. From the measurement it is possible to find out if the customer’s device is the cause of the problem. It is the responsibility of the equipment manufacturers to ensure that their devices do not pollute the customers’ premises by emitting harmful electromagnetic emissions and the connected devices are able to function appropriately in the network. Thus, continuous PQ monitoring would indicate the network’s overall electromagnetic environment and the system’s performance.

Harmonization of PQ Standards

Standards are needed to achieve coordination between the characteristics of the network’s power supply and the requirements of the end use equipment. In the international community, both IEEE and IEC have created a group of standards that defines different PQ parameters. The Australian standard AS/NZS 61000 is mainly based on IEC standard. The South African PQ standard NRS048 is comparable to the IEC standard with some exceptions on the PQ measurement uncertainty criteria (such as 95% criteria) [11]. The South African standard is new in the area of voltage dip classification. The European standard EN50160 [18] describes the voltage characteristics of the electricity which is supplied to the public distribution systems. A frequent criticism of this standard is that it gives limits related to conditions that exist for 95% of the time [1]. Different voltage parameters described in EN50160 can be sub-grouped as follows and are shown in Table I:

  • Parameters with limiting values
  • Parameters with indicative values
  • Parameters without any given values.

TABLE I. CLASSIFICATION OF VOLTAGE PARAMETERS IN EN50160

Need of Voltage Quality Regulation in the Future_table1

Worldwide different organizations are active in the research and development to define the optimum power quality standard which would satisfy the ‘minimum standard’ requirements.

PQ STATUS OF THE DUTCH GRID

History of PQ Monitoring Activities

From 1989, network operators of the Netherlands started to monitor 5th and 11th harmonics in their network. In 1996, the PQ monitoring (PQM) program had been extended for low, medium and high voltage networks at 150 locations throughout the country to measure of the power quality for duration of one week in a year. The measurement was mainly done to assure that the Dutch grid meets the requirements of EN50160 and the Dutch national ‘Grid Code’. During this measurement: slow voltage variations, fast voltage variations, asymmetry and harmonics data were recorded. From the PQM program it was noticed that the power quality of the Dutch grid was quite good, and it met the requirements of the standard EN50160 and the ‘Grid Code’. [19]

It was found from other research projects that short term interruption and voltage dip are also very important parameters to define the quality of power supply. Therefore, in 2003 another PQ monitoring program (PQM II) was introduced to register these data for a period of one year along with the previous data as stated in the previous PQM program. In PQM II, the extra high voltage network was also included for continuous monitoring. The PQ measurement points were selected carefully so that the monitoring results could be used as reference data for the whole Dutch network. In this new program, 20 permanent locations in the high voltage network along with all the connection points of extra high voltage network were chosen for continuous monitoring. On basis of the classification methodology [4], the power quality of the Dutch grid is considered ‘good’ (class B). [20]

PQ Monitoring at the Point of Connection

With the introduction of large numbers of decentralized generations (DG) and more sensitive end-use devices, PQ of the network is getting increasingly influenced by the customers’ loads. To identify the sources that cause poor PQ, continuous monitoring at the customer side is required. In the programs PQM and PQM II, the main focus was on medium, high voltage and extra high voltage grids at which more number of customers are connected. It is noticed from various surveys that the disputes on PQ disturbances have increased among the network operators, the equipment manufacturers and the customers at the point of connection where these parties meet each other. Under the KTI project, main attention is given to the individual customer’s connection point and therefore mainly medium voltage (MV) and low voltage (LV) connection points are considered. Twenty measurement locations are chosen where each location has its own specific characteristics. At the POC, a DG such as wind generator, solar panels, combined heat power (CHP) plant or a customer’s load with power electronics devices or a large industrial load might be connected. Various voltage characteristics such as: flicker, harmonics, unbalance, slow voltage variations, dips and overvoltage will be monitored continuously for a duration of minimum one year. The selected PQ monitoring locations for KTI project are shown in Table II.

TABLE II. PQ MONITORING FOR ‘KTI’ PROJEC

Need of Voltage Quality Regulation in the Future_table2

All measurements will be done by using PQ monitoring device ‘Alptec 2444d’. Voltage and current data will be recorded and downloaded on weekly basis using GSM for flexibility. After that the downloaded data will be analyzed and the power quality performance of the POC at the measurement location can be determined. More information would be available at the ‘KTI’ project website [21].

CONCLUSION

In the last couple of years, power quality related problems and disputes have increased among the network operators, the equipment manufacturers, and the customers at the point of connection (POC). Due to the lack of defined optimal quality at the POC, these parties are not aware of their individual responsibilities concerning the power quality of the electricity supply. By developing PQ regulation for the POC, it might be possible to define the responsibility of each connected party at the POC that is economically optimal. Continuous PQ monitoring of the electricity grid is identified as the primary step towards the development of the power quality regulation. It is also noticed from the discussion of this paper that some of the PQ parameters (for example voltage dip, harmonics, slow voltage variation and transients) are very important as they occur often in the network and might have large financial impacts. The European Standard EN50160 specifies limiting values for most of the PQ parameters while for the others it does not give any definite value. Therefore, a ‘minimum standard’ is to be developed that will define each PQ aspects, specifying limiting values. The need of PQ regulation is getting an increasing interest among the electricity regulators, governmental agencies and standard developing organizations in different countries. In the Netherlands, PQ monitoring activities for the high voltage network was started in the last decade. Presently, continuous monitoring of the low and medium voltage grids is also considered important and the Dutch network operators have taken active initiatives to implement it. In the project ‘KTI’, continuous PQ monitoring of the low and medium voltage grids has been started and it is expected that by the end of this year some interesting results can be obtained from the monitored aspects.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The work presented in this paper is part of the research project ‘Voltage quality in future infrastructures’- (‘Kwaliteit van de spanning in toekomstige infrastructuren (KTI)’ in Dutch), sponsored by the Ministry of Economics Affairs of the Netherlands.

REFERENCES

[1] An ERGEG public consultation paper, “Towards voltage quality regulation in Europe”, ref: E06-EQS-09-03, December 2006.

[2] R. Malaman, J. Afonso, L. Lo Schiavo, Romero, C. Sep Iveda, R. Vrolijk and B. Wharmby, “Quality of electricity supply: initial benchmarking on actual levels, standards and regulatory strategies”, Council of European Energy Regulators – working group on Quality of Electricity Supply, April 2001. Available: http://www.ceer-eu.org [03.05.07]

[3] Math H.J.Bollen and Irene Y.H.Gu, “Signal processing of power quality disturbances”, IEEE press series on Power Engineering, Published by Willey Interscience (2006), ISBN 0-471-73168-4.

[4] J.F.G Cobben, and J.F.L. van Casteren, “Classification methodologies for power quality”, Electrical Power Quality and Utilization, Magazine Vol II, No 1, 2006.

[5] H.M.S.C.Herath, Victor J.Gosbell and Sarath Perera, “Power quality (PQ) survey reporting: discrete disturbance limits”, IEEE transactions on power delivery, vol.20, no. 2, April 2005.

[6] Shawn McNulty, Primen and Bill Howe (EPRI-PEAC), “Power quality problems and renewable energy solutions”, submitted to Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust, September 2002.

[7] Alexander Eigeles Emanuel and John A.McNeil, “Electric power quality”, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts, USA. Annual Rev. Energy Environ. 1997.22:263-303.

[8] Hans de Keulenaer, “The hidden cost of poor power quality”, European Copper Institute, 2003. Available: http://www.leonaro-energy.org [03.05.07]

[9] Dr Brian Wharmby, “Power quality in the privatised UK electricity industry”, Office of Electricity Regulation, UK. Appeared in Industry Applications Conference, 1998 at thirty-third IAS annual meeting, volume: 3, pp: 2288-2291.

[10] M. Negnevitsky, J. Milanovic and M. Green, “Survey of power quality problems in Tasmania”, Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Advances in Power System Control, Operation and Management, APSCOM-97, Hong Kong, November 1997

[11] Paul Johnson and Ron Coney, “Introducing national quality of supply (power quality) standards the South African experience”, 10th International Conference on Electromagnetic Compatibility, 1-3 September 1997, Conference Publication No 445 0 IEE 1997

[12] Laborelec and KEMA T&D Consulting, “Power quality op het Aansluitpunt -fase 1: inventarisatie en probleembeschrijving”, February 2006, Doc. No.: 40530061-TDC 05-54719A (available in Dutch language only).

[13] Technical brochure of BC Hydro Power Smart, “Power qualitycustomer financial impact/risk assessment tool”- March 2005. Available: http://www.bchydro.com [03.05.07]

[14] Shawn McNulty, Primen (EPRI), “The Cost of Power Disturbances to Industrial and Digital Economy Companies,” June 2001, EPRI IntelliGrid Initiative, Ref no. 1006274.

[15] V.Ajodhia and B.Franken, “Regulation of voltage quality”, Doc. No.: 30620164-consulting 07-0356, February 2007.

[16] Bart Franken and Walter Hulshorst, “Quality of supply regulation” , Webinar, 25 January 2007. Available: http://www.lpqi.org [03.05.07]

[17] Mark F. McGranaghan and Surya Santoso, “Challenges and trends in analyses of electric power quality measurement data”, EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing, vol 2007, article id 57985, 5 pages.

[18] European standard EN-50160, 1994, “Voltage characteristics of electricity supplied by public distribution systems”, CENELEC, Belgium.

[19] PREGO report 3, “Spanningskwaliteit in beeld -Ontwerp van een landelijk meetsysteem voor statistische bewaking van spanningskwaliteit”, Doc. No.: 40230030-TDC 03-36984A, Oct. 2003. (available in Dutch language only).

[20] PREGO report 20, “Een kwaliteitsrapport – Helder rapporteren over de spanningskwaliteit in Nederland”, Doc. N.: 40330075-TDC 04-45016C, February 2005. (available in Dutch language only).

[21] EOS Research program at the TU/Eindhoven: ‘Power Quality of the Future Infrastructure’ (KTI). website (www.futurepowersystems.nl) [15.05.07].

Encore Series UPS Monitoring


Application Note

WHERE EVERY MILLISECOND COUNTS!

The digital economy has redefined business operations and is setting new standards for electric power reliability and quality. Downtime – undesirable for any business – is catastrophic for Data Centers and other high reliability facilities where even the smallest power quality issue can cause equipment failure, data corruption, and data loss. Costs can range from thousands to millions of dollars per incident! Businesses that rely on 24/7 operation have responded to their power reliability and quality needs by installing redundant capabilities that typically include uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems and backup generators. To ensure the proper operation of these systems and provide ongoing monitoring of power conditions, many companies employ comprehensive power monitoring systems.

THE LIMITS OF UPS SYSTEMS

UPS systems are critical components of a cohesive power reliability program. But just because a UPS is running does not mean that it is fully operational or that it can fully protect your system. UPS systems have technical limitations in resolving potential power quality issues. They are complex electro-mechanical devices that are themselves subject to failure. Although your UPS system may have alarming capabilities, such features are typically based upon course indicators without the ability to evaluate the quality of the electrical supply to your critical loads. The very system installed to protect your facility could actually be the source of problems without you even knowing about it. Simultaneous monitoring of both UPS input and output allows you to keep tabs on the utility supply, UPS response to input power problems, and your critical loads in order to verify that your investment is working optimally and mitigating supply side problems.

CRITICAL SYSTEMS MONITORING

Monitoring the utility supply, UPS, and other critical areas of your power system puts you in the driver’s seat, providing the necessary tools to be proactive and determine the overall health of the power systems and loads within your facility. Just because the system is functioning doesn’t mean it’s working optimally and that problems aren’t looming. Power monitoring systems have the unique ability to provide advance warning of potential failure by continually evaluating the quality of supply and sending you notifications if problems occur. In addition, should a worst case outage or critical failure occur, the data provided by the power monitoring system can be invaluable in troubleshooting the problem and getting back online as soon as possible, reducing the cost of downtime and providing needed information to permanently correct or mitigate the problem.

Encore Series Model 61000 Monitors Both UPS Input and Output in One Instrument

Encore UPS Monioring App Note_figure1


ENCORE SERIES IS A COST EFFECTIVE MONITORING SOLUTION

Available in both standard and switchgear mount enclosures, the 61000 family of DataNodes are perfect for high reliability monitoring. The 61000’s unique, modular design provides high resolution monitoring (512 samples per cycle) of voltage and current for two three-phase circuits in one instrument. This popular 61000 configuration has four modules: (2) voltage modules and (2) current modules. Each voltage and current module has four channels for complete monitoring of all three phases, plus Neutral. As shown in the diagram above, when configuring the system, voltage and current modules are paired together in instrument firmware to form Virtual Analyzers. One voltage and one current module are paired together to monitor the UPS input (Virtual Analyzer #1) and the others are paired together to monitor the UPS output (Virtual Analyzer #2). Each Virtual Analyzer functions like a complete and independent Power Quality, Demand, & Energy instrument. Encore Series Software, which is the systems’ web enabled software, sees each Virtual Analyzer as a separate, configurable instrument.

SAMPLE BILL OF MATERIALS

As indicated in the diagram above, the most economical Encore Series monitoring solutions take advantage of the modularity of the 61000 – Two virtual analyzers simultaneously monitoring the UPS input and output in one instrument. Below is just one common 61000 configuration:

Instrument:

  • Qty (1) 61STD, standard 61000

Voltage measurements:

  • Qty (2) 61MZP, 61000 POD modules
  • Qty (2) 5536VPOD, 600V voltage POD’s

Current measurements:

  • Qty (2) 61MZP, 61000 POD modules
  • Qty (2) 5537APOD, 5A current POD’s

Several other configurations are available, such as using the 61SG or 61SGD (with LCD display) switchgear panel mount 61000 instruments, along with various other module and POD combinations to meet other measuring and mounting requirements.

CASE STUDY: BANKING CENTER UPS FAILURE

Encore Series System is monitoring a Data Center for a major international bank located in New York City. This facility has three UPS modules, one rotary system, and two identical online static systems from the same major UPS manufacturer. The input and output of each UPS module is monitored.

Shortly after midnight on February 19th a 3.3 second upstream sag occurred that originated from the utility. The depth of the sag was about 75% of the nominal 480VAC. The sag resulted in damaged elevator controls in the high rise building, but there were no indications of critical systems being affected. However, further investigation proved otherwise…

A UPS Performance Verification Answer Module® is available in Encore Series Software which is a pass/fail reporting module. This answer module works on the simple principle that, although undesirable, PQ events may occur on the UPS input, which is typically the utility supply, but should never occur on the output. When events are detected on the UPS input, the answer Module searches the monitoring database for corresponding events on the UPS output. If present, a UPS failure is reported, since it didn’t properly mitigate the input side power anomaly.

Encore UPS Monioring App Note_figure2

Utility Supply

Encore UPS Monioring App Note_figure3

UPS Output

In the case of this power event, neither the UPS or critical systems reported any alarms, but the Encore Series UPS Performance Verification Report indicated that one of two static UPS’s experienced a swell, or over voltage condition coincident with the return to normal of the utility sag. The peak voltage reached about 107% of nominal or almost 520V! Over voltage conditions are undesirable since they can stress and even damage computer and other power supplies and result in critical system failures.

By being proactive, this potentially serious problem was identified before any system failures or downtime occurred. The UPS service team was called and they identified a control board problem with the UPS, which was quickly corrected. If the problem was not proactively identified by the Encore Series System, the UPS system could have potentially experienced a catastrophic failure that resulted in downtime and significant financial loss to the bank.

TO CONTACT DRANETZ

Call 1-800-372-6832 (US and Canada) or 1-732-287-3680 for Technical or Sales support. Dranetz Technologies http://www.dranetz.com

A Comprehensive Review of Power Quality Issues & Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines

Published by

  • Ahmed F. Zobaa and Ibrahim Ahmed, Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK.
  • Shady H.E. Abdel Aleem, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, 15th of May Higher Institute of Engineering, Cairo, Egypt.

Journal Article:
Recent Advances in Electrical & Electronic Engineering
, 2019, 12, 210-222 (Volume 12, Issue 3 ,2019) ,
Published on 10 June 2019

Abstract: Background: Renewable energy generation using wind energy has emerged worldwide and has opened up significant new markets in electrical power generation. However, different factors that affect power quality performance of Wind Turbine (WT) applications such as wind speed fluctuation and use of power electronic based devices have been presented due to the rapid increase of WT installations.

Methods: Accordingly, it is worth to measure, assess and evaluate the quality of the generated power of these WTs in order to ensure their compliance with the grid-integration conditions. In this work, first, a general classification of WTs and their operating principle is reviewed. Because variable speed WTs are frequently used in today’s power systems, much attention was paid to this type of turbines. Second, the various power quality aspects caused due to the integration of the wind energy systems into the grid were presented and discussed. Flickers, harmonic distortion, response to voltage dip, active power, and reactive power requirements, fault-ride through and short-circuit current contribution were the addressed power quality problems.

Results: Further, the study pointed out the need for a unified evaluation process to assess the power quality performance of the grid-connected wind systems.

Conclusion: Also, it was concluded that success in integrating more wind energy systems hinges on accurate power quality performance assessment.

Keywords: Active power control, fault-ride through, flicker, harmonic distortion, reactive power control, renewable energy, power quality, wind turbines.

INTRODUCTION

Recently, the public debates carried out a lot of stress on the traditional energy generation technologies that rely on fossil fuel sources. In the conventional electrical power generation, CO2 is usually released, which has a detrimental effect on global warming. In addition, electrical energy demand is rapidly increasing worldwide, keeping in mind the limited fossil fuel resources. Consequently, the need for renewable and sustainable energy resources such as wind, solar, tidal, and wave has been noticeably increased in recent years [1-7]. Wind has been known as a source of energy long time ago. The ancient Egyptians utilized the wind power around 5000 BC [8]. Nowadays, wind power is considered as one of the most convenient green power sources because of its availability, efficiency, and environmental-friendly performance. Wind energy releases only 20% of the corresponding natural gas emissions of CO2E/kWh [9, 10].

In its early stages, wind turbines (WT) were coupled directly to the grid and operated in a very narrow speed range, so-called fixed speed turbines. Modern WTs have a wide operating speed range with the aid of power electronic interfaces, and these types are known as variable speed WTs.

The installation of wind power plants is rapidly increasing worldwide. In 2016, the total installed wind power capacity was about 456 GW [11, 12]. However, renewables, in general, suffer from unavailability sometimes as well as the intermittent because wind speeds and directions are continuously changing by nature. This intermittent nature of wind causes fluctuations in the output shaft power of the WT at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC) which may lead to various Power Quality (PQ) problems such as voltage flickers and others [13-16]. Similarly, the use of power electronic converters in modern WTs introduces extra PQ problems such as harmonic distortion, voltage imbalance, and voltage fluctuations [16-19]. Hence, it is essential to evaluate the PQ impacts of the grid-connected WTs to ensure safe and reliable operation of the electrical networks to allow much more potential of WT projects. In this regard, PQ measures of a WT are usually performed and evaluated at the PCC. Several guidelines were established to evaluate PQ performance of WTs such as IEC 61400-21 [17].

In this work, first, a general classification of WTs and their operating principle is reviewed. Because variable speed WTs are frequently used in today’s power systems [20], much attention was paid to this type of turbines. Second, the various PQ aspects caused due to the integration of the wind energy systems into the grid were presented and discussed.

Flickers, harmonic distortion, response to voltage dip, active power, and reactive power requirements, fault-ride through and short-circuit current contribution were the addressed PQ problems. The rest of the paper is organized as follows: Section 2 explores the various types of WTs. Design and construction of variable speed wind turbines are presented in Section 3. The various requirements and PQ issues of grid-connected WTs are investigated in Section 4 and finally, Section 5 presents the conclusions and findings of this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Classification of Wind Turbines

Classification of WTs can be done on the basis of their structure such as turbines designed to use gearboxes or directly driven without gearboxes (gearless). Also, they can be classified by speed as fixed, partial-variable or variable speed turbines. Some can categorize the turbines by the power control used (stall, pitch control, or active stall). The orientation of the spin axis (vertical or horizontal or even bladeless) is another way of classification. In addition, WTs may be classified according to size (small, medium, or large) and installation location (onshore and offshore) [21-24].

In practice, todays’ WTs have four principal types (A, B, C and D) based on the speed range, in which Type A is a fixed speed WT that is equipped with an IG. Type B is a limited variable speed turbine with an IG and variable rotor resistors. Type C is a doubly-fed IG (DFIG) that is equipped with a partial-power converter. Lastly, Type D is a variable speed WT that is equipped with a PMSG and a full-scale power converter. To date, the wound rotor synchronous generator and the squirrel-cage IG are used with Type D turbines. Type A was the first WT generation, where the squirrel cage IG windings are coupled to the utility grid directly. The turbine’s rotor shaft is coupled via a gearbox to the turbine shaft. Stall control is usually adopted in this type to control the blades during high wind speeds. The configuration of this WT is illustrated in Fig. (1a). On one hand, the advantages of this type are its simplicity, rigidity, and low cost. On the other hand, its poor efficiency, the absence of controllability of power and its restricted speed, i.e. 2% of the rated speed, are the major drawbacks of this type. In addition, this type requires a capacitor bank to compensate for reactive power that is absorbed by the induction machine. Considering all these disadvantages, Type A is no longer a choice for today’s WTs installation [21, 22].

Likewise, turbines of Type B are comparable to those of Type A except that a wound-rotor induction machine is to be used instead of the squirrel-cage one, i.e. the rotor windings are shortened by variable speed resistances as shown in Fig. (1b). The advantage of Type B is the extended speed of operation (10% of the rated speed), whereas a greater capacitance size will be necessary as the losses will increase because of the resistances and reactive power support will be needed [25].

Type C is equipped with wound-rotor IG as shown in Fig. (1c), where the stator terminals are connected directly to the grid similarly to the previous types. However, the rotor windings are coupled by a fully-controlled converter to the grid, which enables a wide operating speed range ( ± 30 of rated speed) [26]. RSC stands for the rotor-side converter while the GSC is the grid-side one. A pitch angle scheme controls the blades. This type is the most widely used among all the WT types because of its wide range of speed, optimal power extraction from the wind, and low mechanical stress on the rotating parts (compared to Types A and B). However, the configuration of Type C demands further protection for the converter in case of faults [27].

Lastly, in Type D, a full-power converter is needed to transfer all the turbine power to the grid. Induction or synchronous generators can be used with this type, where both the wound rotor and permanent magnet can be useful in case of a synchronous generator, and currently, the PMSG outperforms the other machines because of its simple construction and elimination of DC excitation. The PMSG can be constructed with a large number of poles; however, this gives the advantage of operating directly without the need for gearboxes. Type D is equipped with a direct-driven PMSG as shown in Fig. (1d), where it can be noticed that the generator terminals are coupled to the converter and all the WT power will flow through the converter. This is why it is commonly realized that the converter size must be rated equal to (or slightly above) the nominal power of the WT.

Also, the blades are controlled by a pitch angle control, and the converter regulates the active and reactive power control of this scheme, and the turbine can then operate with a wider speed range. However, its main disadvantage is the high cost [28, 29].

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_figure1

Fig. (1). Types of wind turbines.

MODERN VARIABLE SPEED WIND TURBINE

The kinetic energy stored in the moving air is converted to mechanical energy through the WT blades, and then this mechanical energy generated at the WT’s shaft is converted into electrical energy through the electrical generator of the WT. The variable speed wind turbines (VSWT) can produce electricity at a wider range of speeds, even at lower speeds below the synchronous speed. This wide operating range makes the VSWT outperform the conventional fixed speed WTs. Modern VSWTs contain complicated power electronic converters and advanced control systems such as pitch angle control which are employed to protect the blades from overspeed mechanical problems during high wind speed conditions [30-32].

Aerodynamic Power

The mechanical power generated by a multi-blade WT is defined by Betz law as expressed in Eq. (1): The output power (Pm) supplied from the wind turbine is given as follows [33, 34]:

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_1

where, “ρ is the air density, A is the rotor swept area, v is the wind speed, and Cp (λ, β) is the power coefficient as a function of the tip-speed ratio λ and the pitch angle β”. It should be mentioned that the Cp is the most important parameter in power regulation [35]. Look-up tables from turbine manufacturers are provided to indicate the Cp for operation turbine operations. Also, different models for Cp have been developed [36] as a function of λ and β. For example, for particular turbine types, Cp is given as follows:

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_2

In which, the parameter λi is defined in terms of λ and β as follows:

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_3

where β is the angle between the plane of rotation and the blade cross section chord and λ is the tip-speed ratio of the turbine. The relation between λ and Cp when β equals zero is given in Fig. (2). It is noticed that the optimum Cp is achieved when λ varies between 6.1 and 6.5 which ensures maintaining maximum power point tracking within this operational range.

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_figure2

Fig. (2). Power coefficient for different tip-speed ratios.

Operation of Variable Speed Wind Turbines

A VSWT that operates at low wind speed guarantees that the optimum value of power is captured from the cut-in till rated speed, by keeping Cp at its maximum value. Every wind speed has optimum power point which is obtained at specific rotor speed. Fig. (3) shows an example of the output power of a VSWT power at different wind speeds and turbine rotor speeds, where the pitch angle is kept equal to zero. The maximum power available at a WT can be gained by an algorithm or a locked-table utilizing the converter support for power regulation.

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_figure3

Fig. (3). Turbine power at different wind and rotor speeds.

At high wind speed condition, the WT aerodynamic power increases, causing an increase in rotational speed too. Pitch control system is employed to limit the aerodynamic power to avoid rotor over-speed that may lead to a mechanical system failure. The blades’ pitch angle is regulated to decrease the power coefficient, so the extracted power is limited to the WT nominal power [31].

Wind Turbine Parts

WTs system consists of various parts. The WT system has three main parts outlined as follows [37, 38]:

  • The mechanical part: the mechanical part consists of the pitch control mechanism, gearbox, and driver train.
  • The electrical part: the electrical part usually consists of the electric generator, power electronics devices including the converter, capacitance and inductance components, and protection system including the crowbar, braking resistor and circuit breaker, transformer, and interconnecting cables.
  • The control system: the converter controller and blade angle control are included in this system.

GRID-CONNECTED WIND TURBINES: REQUIREMENTS AND POWER QUALITY

If the voltage and current are continuous and have a pure sinusoidal wave with a constant frequency and amplitude, this would be perfect ‘ideal’ PQ case. Nowadays, the terminology of PQ is commonly used in recent power systems due to the unprecedented development of the power electronic interface technologies and renewable energy resources under the umbrella of smart grids. To-date, there is no typical and unified definition for the PQ [33].

Without a doubt, PQ has dissimilar interpretations for parties in different electric entities. For instance, PQ is used sometimes to express the quality of voltage, while others use it for the quality of current, and some use it to define the service reliability. Moreover, it can be used to express the electricity quality in the electrical energy markets. Excessive utilization of recent power-electronic devices and the increasing integration of renewable energy resources with their inverter-based interfaces into distribution systems have brought different PQ problems with these systems [39].

PQ can be defined as a terminology that describes maintaining the near sinusoidal waveform of power distribution node voltages and line currents at rated operating conditions. Generally, voltage quality focuses on variations of the voltage from the ideal waveform (that is characterized by a sine wave of constant magnitude and frequency). Therefore, PQ can be defined as a set of electrical limitations (reference limits) that enables an equipment to operate in its planned manner without major operating losses or lifetime deteriorations [40].

The main PQ problems associated with the excessive penetration of WTs are harmonic distortion, voltage imbalance, and voltage fluctuations and flickers. As a result, precautionary measures need to be defined through which the lowest acceptable level of power quality could be guaranteed besides ensuring the right behavior of the equipment that is fed from the power distribution system [41]. The past years have witnessed a rapid increase in the installation of wind power units and other distributed generation units. In fact, the riskiest source of energy is believed to be the wind energy with respect to PQ. When the grid involves WTs, PQ becomes a multifarious issue which greatly relies on the interface technology between the wind turbines and the grid [41- 44]. In order to cover WT impacts on PQ, several guidelines were published; such as the IEC 61400-21 [17].

This section provides a comprehensive review of the various PQ issues associated with the grid-integrated WTs and their inter-connection measures.

Flicker

One of the significant characteristics regarding PQ in wind energy is the voltage flicker [45]. Basically, voltage flickers are defined as a continuous rapid variation of input supply voltage sustained for an appropriate period to enable visual recognition of a variation in electric light intensity. Flicker is a PQ problem in which the magnitude of the voltage or frequency changes at such a rate so as to be noticeable to the human eye [39, 46].

Regarding the wind energy systems, the rapid change in wind speed, wind shear, yaw error, and tower shadow may cause a variation in the output power that results in voltage fluctuations at the PCC which sequentially generate flickers [10, 42]. The flicker severity is assessed over a short period (usually 10 min) is known as Pst, and that evaluated over a longer period of time (two hours) is known as Plt. Thus, Plt is a combination of twelve Pst values. Calculation of Pst is commonly expressed as given by Eq. (4) [33, 47]:

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_4

where Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd, and Pe are the surpassed flicker levels during 0.1, 1, 3, 10 and 50% of the surveillance period. By definition, value of one for Pst expresses a visible disturbance, a level of optical severity at which 50% of persons might sense a flicker in a 60 W incandescent lamp. Excessive light flicker can cause severe headache and can lead to the so-called ‘sick building syndrome’ [48].

The critical value of irritability is set at Pst = 1, magnitude of the maximum acceptable voltage change in relevance to voltage changes per minute is illustrated in Fig. (4) [49]. It is hard to measure the flicker accurately, and for this purpose, IEC Standard 61000-4-15 developed a device called ‘flickermeter’ to calculate the functional specifications of flicker [50].

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_figure4

Fig. (4). The IEC curve for Pst =1 for different voltage changes [49].

IEC 61400-21 [17] specifies a measurement procedure to determine the flickers emitted from WTs. Moreover, the representation of the flicker for two different situations namely, switching and continuous operation is defined. In the continuous operation, the flicker resulted from active and reactive power fluctuation; IEC 61400-21 requires a statistical calculation for the so-called flicker coefficient C(Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_symbolk, va) which is defined as: “A normalized measure of the maximum flicker emission (99th percentile) during continuous operation of a WT”. C(Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_symbolk, va) is determined at each 6, 7.5, 8.5 and 10 m/s of wind speed and network impedance angles: 30°, 50°, 70° and 85°. C(Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_symbolk, va) is calculated as follows:

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_5

It should be mentioned that Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_symbolk stands for the network impedance phase angle at the PCC, and va stands for the annual average wind speed at the hub-height of the wind turbine [42]. Also, Sk is the short-circuit capacity of the grid where the WTs are connected. Sn is the WT’s nominal power. In a switched mode of operation of a WT, flickers occur by power fluctuations at the start or the stop operations of the turbines. Based on IEC 61400-21 [17], two indices should be measured during a switching operation, namely kf(Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_symbolk) which is standardized flicker emission data of a single switching process, and ku(Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_symbolk) which is a standardized measure of the change in voltage as a result of the switching action. IEC 61400-21 [17] states that kf (Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_symbolk) and ku(Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_symbolk) should be measured at different angles as 30°, 50°, 70° and 85°. kf (Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_symbolk) and ku(Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_symbolk) are calculated as follows:

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_6

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_7

where Umax and Umin are at the maximum and minimum root-mean-square (rms) phase-to neutral voltages, respectively. Un is the nominal phase-to-phase voltage. Tp is the transient time period of a switching operation. The WT manufacturers usually perform factory tests on WTs to evaluate the performance and PQ related emissions of each WT. The level of flicker varies from turbine type to another. The variable speed WTs produce lower flicker compared to the fixed speed WTs [10]. This is due to the controllability of variable speed WTs, which absorb the power fluctuations and therefore mitigate flickers [51-53].

Several factors affecting the flicker in VSWTs and they are directly related to the rise in wind speed until the rated value which occurs when the WT reaches its maximum power. When the wind speed increases beyond its rated value, the pitch control will smooth out the variation in output, thus flicker will be reduced consequently [54, 55].

Besides, the flicker emission is significantly influenced by the short-circuit capacity of the connected network at the PCC. A WT usually produces greater flickers in weak grids as the flicker level has an inverse relationship to the short circuit capacity [55].

The flicker emissions of WTs are considerably affected by the wind turbulence intensity, such that the flicker level increases with the increase in the wind turbulence intensity [55]. The grid impedance angle also plays a significant factor that affects the flicker levels. Lower flickers occur when the difference angle between WT power factor and the grid impedance angle reaches 90°. As VSWTs have the ability to control reactive power; flicker can be mitigated by regulating it [22]. Lastly, in the comparison between VSWT types, DFIG has fewer flickers in continuous operation, whereas PMSG has considerably lower values of kf(Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_symbolk) and ku(Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_symbolk) in the switching operation [56].

Harmonic Distortion

Power system harmonics are defined as multiple integer frequencies of the fundamental system frequency (typically 50 or 60 Hz) presented in electrical voltage or current waveforms. Power system harmonics result from various types of harmonic generating equipment such as power-electronic converters, arc furnaces, fluorescent lamps, and other nonlinear loads. Harmonics can cause many problems such as parallel and series resonance, thermal overloading of lines and cables, overheating of transformers, nuisance operation of protection relays, which in turn decrease reliability and increase losses of power systems [57, 58].

The variable speed operation of WTs was made possible with the advancement of the power electronics integration technologies which inject a considerable amount of current harmonics into the electrical networks. Based on the guideline IEC 61400-21 [17], measurements of current harmonics are required only for VSWT, and the fixed speed WTs are to be excluded since they do not include power electronic converters whereby their current harmonic emissions can be neglected [10, 42]. The standard explicitly details certain processes to measure individual and total harmonic current distortion in terms of the rated current in percent (In%) and the bin midpoints for WT operation in the range of the active power levels 0, 10, 20, 30… 100 % of the nominal power (Pn). The generated harmonics shall be measured up to 50 times of the nominal frequency in addition to the interharmonics up to 2 kHz based on the IEC standard 61000 4-7 [59], and for the higher frequency range from 2 kHz to 9 kHz. The measurement process shall be performed at steady state operation and no reactive power production. However, the standard does not consider short-duration harmonics produced during switching operations because these harmonics last for small-time periods.

The total harmonic current distortion (THDC) is determined in terms of the hth harmonic current and the fundamental harmonic one (I1) as follows:

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_8

IEC 61400-21 [17] does not claim any limitation for the current harmonic; instead, several standards can be applied to assess the current harmonics such as IEC 61000-3-6, IEEE 519-2014, and EN 50160 [60-62]. The low order harmonic frequencies, i.e. 3rd, 5th, 7th and 11th are the most dominant current harmonics in VSWTs due to the control system and the PWM switching control [63, 64].

The harmonic distortion in VSWTs depends on several factors such as the type of the control system (PWM or hysteresis), converter topology (voltage or current source inverter), harmonic filter and the type of VSWT (DFIG or PMSG). Harmonic distortion appears on both the stator and rotor currents in DFIGs [65-67].

The harmonics and inter-harmonics in DFIG WTs are produced by GSC, RSC and the WT itself. The total induced harmonics in DFIG that are caused by both converters and the machine itself are expressed in details in [68] as follows:

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_9

where fAC represents the harmonic frequencies at the AC converter’s sides. S is the generator slip and fs is the stator frequency. The DFIG harmonic emission is also affected by the background supply harmonics [69]. The harmonics of lower order are the dominated ones in DFIG current harmonics, and the values of the 5th and 7th harmonics are relatively high and the THDc will be high when the output current is considerably low [70, 71]. DFIG has higher THDc when compared to PMSG WT, due to the presence of interharmonics [22, 72]. When the PMSGs are being considered; the GSC is responsible for the generation of harmonics. The GSC is typically a six-pulse inverter. The harmonic and inter- harmonic currents can be linked back to the operation of power electronic switching devices.

The generated current of PMSG contains low order harmonics such as the 3rd, 5th, and 7th where the 5th harmonic order is usually higher. The harmonics in PMSG depend on the converter topologies (current-source inverter or voltage source inverter), the converter structure (multilevel, two level or matrix), and the control strategy (hysteresis current control, space vector pulse width modulation or sinusoidal pulse width modulation).

Accordingly, one can notice that the electrical grid plays a vital role in the determination of the percentage of the voltage harmonic distortion at the PCC with WT plants by the variations that may occur in the grid impedance at the PCC. According to the common practice during the design stage of grid-integrated WT projects, the worst case of the grid impedance has to be considered while specifying the maximum allowed harmonic pollution [73] from a WT project.

Voltage Unbalance

Voltage unbalance (VU) is a PQ significant problem that can be explained as “a condition in a poly-phase system in which the rms values of the fundamental components of the line voltages, and/or the phase angles between consecutive line voltages, are not all equal” [74]. VU occurs in electrical power systems due to irregular distribution of single-phase loads over the three phases, single-phase distributed resources, power system faults, asymmetry of lines, and unbalanced power system faults, and others [75].

The expression of Voltage Unbalance Factor (VUF) presented in IEC Standard 60034-26 [76] is commonly used to represent the VU, where WTs should withstand VUF not exceeding 2%. VUF is given as follows:

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_10

where V– and V+ denote the phasors of the negative sequence and positive sequence voltage components, respectively.

Short-circuit Current Contribution

Every element in a distribution network such as cables, transformers, and switchgear has a particular designed short-circuit current (SCC) level to be withstood. This SCC can be defined as a measure of the maximum fault current expected for a particular element. Exceeding of the SCC limit of a certain element must be avoided to avoid excessive thermal damages to this element. SCC may cause an intolerable overload to the power system components (machines, transformers, cables, transmission lines, etc.). SCC can even lead to damage depending on the magnitude and duration of these components [77]. An adequately-designed protection system should detect and interrupt excessive SCCs to ensure safe and reliable operation of electrical networks.

Excessive penetration of WT plants leads to a noticeable increase in maximum SCCs in the network [78]. In addition, the intermittent nature of the output power generated by the WTs plants makes their contribution to the grid SCC currents more complex. The relation between the installed capacity of WT farms and the impact of large-scale WTs integration on the PQ performance is directly proportional. Simply, as the wind power increases, a higher SCC will be injected into the system. The effects of different types of WTs on the power grids greatly vary from one type to another. The SCC from DFIG-WT depends on the rotor’s circuit breaker protection settings on the RSC. In an instance where the rotor is short-circuited by a rotor circuit breaker; SCC features of the turbine act as the constant speed WT, a temporary inrush current takes place in the fault and vanishes quickly [79]. The maximum SCC of DFIG is calculated as follows [22, 80, 81]:

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_11

where imax is maximum rotor’s fault current, ΔT is the time of the first peak, Tr’ .CB is the transient time constant, Tr′ and TS′ are the stator’s and rotor’s transient time constants respectively, and RCB is the equivalent crowbar resistance. Under a condition that RCB >> Rr; Tr’ .CB is small, and the time when the first peak is formed is given as ΔT →0. In this situation, a simplified equation for DFIG maximum SCC can be derived as follows:

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_12

It can be deduced from (12) that a higher crowbar resistance may cause a less peak current; whereas a maximum crowbar resistance value (RCB,max) can be determined if the most permissible rotor-voltage is known. In case of PMSG, the SCC caused by the fault is restricted to the nominal current or just a bit greater than it. It is quite usual to design PMSG power converters to have an overload ability of 10% over their nominal rating. Keeping in mind that, in all kinds of faults, the generator remains connected to the converter and separated from the fault in the grid [82-84]. Therefore, even if there is a grid disturbance, the WT’s current is managed to maintain its acceptable limit, e.g. 1.1 per unit.

Response to Voltage Drops

The occurrence of voltage drops is considered as a specified issue for WTs behavior in power systems. These drops are random in nature and they are classified by their amplitudes and duration time. Past experiences had revealed that wind power generation is greatly affected due to these voltage drops and even in their recovery, if disconnected from the grid. IEC 61400-21 [17] comprises of certain offline tests that determine whether the system can survive these voltage drops and supports grid stability and to what extent precisely. This test is performed when the WT is disconnected from the grid, and consequently, it will not be requested to modify the voltage wave. The considered rated active power (Pn) of the WT is to be between 10% – 30% in the first scenario of the test and then above 90% in the second one, as observed in the test. Further, a number of different six voltage drops are defined in the test, while specifying the magnitude and duration of the rectangular voltage drop [85, 86].

The test is carried out by a simulation to set a fault by linking three or two phases to each other or linking three or two phases to the ground using impedance that is calculated to obtain the voltage magnitudes specified in the standard when the wind turbine is not connected to the grid. A short-circuit generates the voltage drops. The voltage drop testing must not end up in an undesirable condition at the upstream grid, and it must not considerably disturb the WT transient response. During a voltage dip, in the grid, the active power which can be injected is affected by this drop. Consequently, a surplus of the active power is experienced, and over-speed occurs as a result of the imbalance between the aerodynamic power and WT output power [87]. Under these conditions, WTs can get disconnected from the grid. The grid voltage can be improved if the WT can provide a reactive current.

As a comparison between the PSMG and DFIG operators in VSWTs, PSMG operates smoothly when it is subjected to the voltage dip issue and it supplies more reactive power [22, 88]. In PMSG-WT, the full-scale converter isolates the generator terminals from the grid, and the GRC controls the current up to a given reference value (which is usually set to 1.2 p.u.). Because of the active power reduction, a rise in the DC link occurs, and it might cause damage to the converter. For improving PMSG performance during the voltage dip, a crowbar can be used in the DC link to decrease the extra power and balance the power between the grid-side converter and generator-side converter. The voltage dips can greatly affect the DFIG as there is a direct coupling of the stator terminal to the grid. In the absence of a protection system, the transient in the stator current is very high at fault which can affect the DFIG. The transient (from stator) is transferred to the rotor as a result of the magnetic coupling which links the stator to the rotor. The transmitted transient causes higher voltage and currents in rotor windings under fault conditions. It is consequently essential to protect the converter from overcurrent, the rotor winding and the DC bus from overvoltage. The rotor crowbar method can be considered as a traditional solution to improve DFIG performance during voltage dips [89-93].

This is the main procedure that is followed by the majority of the manufacturers to manage fault ride through. Even though the crowbar is not an expensive way of protecting both the generator and the converter in fault conditions, there is one big issue in which DFIG loses the control after the initiation of the crowbar as a result of deactivation of the rotor-side converter [93]. The employment of pitch-angle control of WT system is to avoid the over-speed of the generators rotor which is accomplished by turning the blades to reduce the power coefficient of the WT. Lastly, it should be mentioned that the response of the pitch-angle control can be greatly restricted when a WT is connected to a weak grid because of the great dynamic power that would be caused from backing up the power throughout fault despite the fact that the pitch control mechanism can quickly turn the blades to their maximum values [94].

Voltage-ride Through

One of the major characteristics of wind power plant that has a considerable impact on power system networks is the voltage-ride through that is commonly recognized as FRT. Transmission System Operators (TSOs) in several nations are establishing grid connection requirements (grid codes) for the wind generators to ensure that the electric system is stable and has a sufficient amount of access to wind power, and they fulfil various technical needs, including the FRT, that means capacity of the WT system to stay steady and connected to the network in case of faults that may occur in a network [86, 95, 96]. Due to errors in the transmission systems, huge temporary voltage defects in a power system can be caused. The design of each power system is made in a way so that it can bear a large unexpected loss of a particular value of generation capacity and it can function accordingly. If a generation unit connects to the healthy grid, it loses connection and stability during or after a grid fault, and this generation is lost [96, 97]. It is evidently seen that the frequency of the system is reduced at a very fast rate in case of a huge loss of generation, and the need of load shedding arises to make sure that the system remains stable [98]. Previously, WTs had quite fewer needs regarding their functioning during a grid fault; they use cut off in the duration as per the voltage amplitude and fluctuations in the frequency. Currently, the needs for FRT demands the WTs to stay connected along with this in a few countries to support the grid and maintain the power systems’ stability. In particular, the WTs are obliged to remain connected to the grid after a fault on any or all phases for faults duration of specific periods that differ from one code to another, while specifying the minimum voltage level (percentage of the rated voltage) during the fault and the time to remain connected during the fault, whereas the maximum voltage dip duration is also specified. However, disconnection of WTs is permitted if the fault remained longer than the standard clearing time [10]. An example of voltage profiles for FRT of different grid codes in European countries is shown in Fig. (5) [97, 99].

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_figure5

Fig. (5). FRT profile for different grid codes [99].

In addition, the needs of grid codes for FRT capability of the WTs vary from one grid code to another, these needs also include the reactive power support, restoring active power, and short-circuit power and grid impedance angle aspects. A brief description of the grid codes of the countries mentioned in Fig. (5) is given as follows: The German code demands that the WT must inject reactive power when voltages dip 10% or more. Moreover, when the voltage is below 50%, the active power shall not be produced just reactive power [100]. The Spanish grid code states the requirement for reactive current in comparison to all current injected [101]. In the Irish grid code, despite remaining coupled to the grid, WTs are required to supply active power along with maximum reactive current [102]. For the Danish grid code, there is no demand for providing the reactive current; nevertheless, the grid code requires to study the WT performance during voltage dips [103]. The turbines behave in a different way for FRT according to their generator’s topologies, control, and protection.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Furthermore, fixed speed WTs cannot support reactive power; as a result, these WTs are unable to meet most of the grid code. However, this problem can be avoided by applying external supporting devices such as FACTS, e.g. STATCOM and SVC [104, 105]. VSWTs can produce reactive power which improves the voltage during critical conditions. However, if the voltage dip is served like German grid code, DFIG can fail to provide the reactive power since the protection system blocks the DFIG due to the current limitation which leads to losing the controllability. On the other side, PMSG with full-scale converter has better flexible control; hence it can meet grid code demands [106, 107]. FRT can be enhanced for VSWTs several methods, e.g. a breaking resistor attached to the DC-bus, energy that can be stored in rotating masses in the form of inertia and by avoiding the operation of maximum power tracking during the faults.

Active Power Control

To ensure coordination between the various WT farms and the grid, the output active power of the WT farms should be controlled, based on the system loading and the grid operator requirements. Different active power regulation modes are required in WTs farms. The most common modes of control are the delta control, specific power limit, and balanced control. IEC 61000-21 and some grid codes require active power regulations (active power control modes) which are responsible for limiting the maximum active power, balancing the active power output, and defining the ramp rates upward or downward.

The frequency converter of the VSWT responds faster to the reference signals. When the fluctuation reduces through regulation of the generator, VSWTs can operate at the maximum power; therefore, efficiency and PQ will all improve. Standard IEC 61400-21 [17] tests the wind speed to check the WTs’ capability to regulate the active power. The test might include both the WT as well as its control system [86]. The three measurements regarding the active power are given, as follows:

  • Maximum measured power: The maximum WT’s electrical power output over three averaging periods shall be reported as 0.2s, 60s, and 600s values.
  • Ramp rate limitation: The WTs capability to conduct ramp rate-limitation control mode is specified by a test to show the available and measured active power output during operation at 10% ramp rate value of the rated power.
  • Set-point control: The WTs ability to provide active power according to set-point control mode is conducted where a set-point value is to be changed from 100 % to 20% of the nominal power by 20% step every two minutes until 20% of rated power is achieved, then increased back to 100%. Fig. (6) illustrates the active power set-point test [86].

It can be noticed from Fig. (6) that the set-point control ensures that the output active power from the WT remains within its pre-set range of operation. The capabilities of a WT to participate in an automatic frequency control scheme are closely linked to its ability to produce active power based on set-point control mode. For example, the data acquisition system and supervisory control of a modern wind farm may regulate the active power set-point of a single WT constantly to attain a particular frequency response. Therefore, participation in an automatic frequency control can be done. In VSWTs, the maximum measured power is, P600 = P60 = P20 [86]. Moreover, VSWTs have the ability to track the active power signal very fast and can meet the IEC 61400 compliance easily [22, 108, 109]. However, it can be mentioned that a PMSG may show slightly faster performance as com pared to the DFIG because its power can be controlled by the inverter instantaneously.

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_figure6

Fig. (6). Active power and the set-point control [17].

Reactive Power Control

The early WTs were using IGs because they are low-cost, rugged, and simple machines that need less maintenance. In the early generation, WTs were lacking controllability of the reactive power, WTs were equipped with IGs that absorb reactive power, and a capacitor bank that is needed for compensating this consumed reactive power. In modern WTs, the use of power electronic converters allows for a full control decoupling between active and reactive power. Today, most gird codes require the ability of WT to produce reactive power to enhance the power system performance during critical situations. The reactive power can be used in voltage adjustment to maintain the desired voltage level [110]. IEC 61400-21 specifies two different assessments to test the reactive power of a WT, namely set-point control and reactive power capability. The grid operator defines the suitable mode of the reactive power control by providing the setpoint signal to the WT plant operator which should follow this set-point signal within a pre-defined time frame. One thing that must be taken into consideration is that the WT capability to conduct reactive power set-point control-mode is associated directly with its capacity to take part in automatic voltage control scheme. The latter can be achieved, for example, from the supervisory-control and data-acquisition system of a contemporary wind farm which consistently updates the reactive power set-point of the individual WTs for the achievement of the desired voltage response. To sum up, for the first test, the practice is the same as that one used to assess the ability of the WT concerning the maximum reactive power. For the second test, it should be of six minutes period and the set-point of reactive power must be regulated for two-minute intervals corresponding to the reactive power of zero, maximum capacitive reactive power and maximum inductive reactive power. The active power sets to 50 % of nominal power, and it should be measured in average values of one minute. The reactive power must be 0.2 s average data. The set-point control is illustrated in Fig. (7) in which a reactive power reference is regulated [86].

Power Quality Issues and Measurement for Grid-integrated Wind Turbines_figure7

Fig. (7). Adjustment of reactive power set-point control [17].

Reactive power capability takes into consideration the maximum inductive and capacitive reactive power from WTs, the characteristics of the WT shall be illustrated as one-min means data as a function of the output power for a range of 0, 10, 20…. 90, 100 % of the nominal power. Moreover, the WT shall be set to the operation mode of the maximum inductive reactive power to allow for the determination of maximum capacitive reactive power in the complete range of the power. VSWTs can rapidly track the precise reactive power reference given by IEC 614000-21. It takes very little time to change the WTs from inductive to capacitive mode (less than 0.1s) [86]. The response of PMSG is somewhat faster than DFIG as it generates reactive power solely from the inverter that functions like STATCOM [111]. If there is any fault, maximum reactive power can be provided by PMSG, while DFIG regulator is restricted by the crowbar and can only help in maintaining reactive power provided by the converter.

Accordingly, one can say that VSWTs have a faster response to the reference signal of active and reactive power. PSMG functions smoothly when it comes to issues such as voltage dip, short-circuit current, and voltage-ride through, whereas DFIG causes high inrush current and unbalanced reactive power [22].

CONCLUSION

The integration of WTs into the utility grid causes various PQ related issues. As wind energy penetration is currently an emerging topic to increase energy generation capacity and it is expected to be the primary renewable source of electrical power in the near future, the study of wind energy impacts on power quality is therefore necessary. In this regard, coordination between distribution system operators and distributed generation investors while taking into account the updated interconnection regulations is necessary to ensure safe and reliable operation of grid-integrated WTs. Despite the fact that these requirements will increase the investment costs in renewables in general, the distribution systems will reach a point in which no more penetration of renewables will be permitted unless these regulations are met.

In this work, first, a general classification of WTs and their operation principle was reviewed. Because variable speed WTs are frequently used in today’s power systems, much attention was paid for this type of turbines. Second, the various PQ aspects caused due to the integration of the wind energy systems into the grid were presented and discussed. Flickers, harmonic distortion, response to voltage dip, active power and reactive power requirements, fault-ride through and short-circuit current contribution were the addressed PQ power quality events and wind systems’ interconnection requirements.

Although WT manufacturers and operators have developed the WTs’ capabilities to meet the requirements set by the system operators, new capabilities are still needed to cope with the new renewable era. In this regard, future research should include the development of controllers and distributed FACTS that accomplish faster response time to the rapidly changing power demands. In addition, a unified

evaluation process to assess the power quality performance of the grid-connected wind systems is needed to quantify the overall power quality performance of a system in the presence of renewable-based systems on the same basis.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

DFIG = Doubly-fed Induction Generator

FRT = Fault Ride Through

GSC = Grid Side Converter

IG = Induction Generator

PCC = Point of Common Coupling

PMSG = Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator

PQ = Power Quality

PWM = Pulse Width Modulation

RSC = Rotor Side Converter

SCC = Short Circuit Current

STATCOM = Static Synchronous Compensator

THD = Total Harmonic Distortion

VSWT = Variable Speed Wind Turbine

VU = Voltage Unbalance

WT = Wind Turbine

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions. In addition, the authors would like to thank Mr. Sherif M. Ismael at the Electrical Engineering Division of the Engineering for the Petroleum and Process Industries (ENPPI) for his support during the revision of this work.

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Power Quality – A Worldwide Problem

Published by Terry Chandler, Director of Engineering, Power Quality Thailand LTD/Power Quality Inc., USA. January, 2001
E-mail: terryc@powerquality.org, terryc@powerquality.co.th

What is Power Quality?

  • The characteristics of the supply voltage and the electrical system that affect the performance of the load.
  • The characteristics of the load that affect the electrical system or other loads.

ITIC Curve


CBEMA Curve


Power Quality Parameters Utility Side

  • RMS voltage, Sags and Surges
  • Voltage transients (fast)
  • Sinewave -waveshape
  • Voltage imbalance
  • Flicker
  • Harmonics

Sag or Dip


Voltage Sag Utility


Power Quality Parameters User Side

  • RMS voltage, Sag and surges local.
  • Voltages transients
  • Sinewave wave shape
  • Voltage imbalance
  • Flicker
  • Electrical system design and construction.
  • Grounding
  • Harmonics

Sags Caused by Motor Starting


Welder Caused Sags


Fast Voltage Transients User

  • Impulse .5 microseconds to less than .5 cycle
  • Normal mode or Common mode

Fast Transient Detail

  • Extremely fast Oscillatory

Wave shape incident (PF capacitor switching)


Voltage Sag and Surge User


Voltage Common Mode Neutral to Ground


Flicker

  • Voltage variation <25 Hz


Power Reliability vs Quality

  • Power Reliability is the presence of voltage at the meter point.
  • Power Quality is the value of the voltage (and other PQ parameters) as a percent of nominal at the meter.

Mr.Phil Sarikas , Intel Corporation 4/97

Source of the PQ Problem?

In PQI’s 20 + years of experience and data shows

  • 90% of the PQ problems are on the customer side of the meter.
  • 80% of the $ losses are caused by the 10% of the problems from the utility side of the meter.
  • Majority of the problems from utility are voltage sags or short outages.

Sources of Power Quality Problems in Order of Frequency of Occurrence

  • User loads (equipment interactions)
  • User electrical system and grounding
  • Weather related, lightning, wind, rain.
  • Utility distribution
  • Utility transmission
  • Utility generation

Economics of Power Quality

The use of sensitive (electronic) equipment and controls increases the costs of typical power disturbances*

  • 1970’s USA EST $10 million (interruptions)
  • 1980’s USA EST $100 million
  • 1990’s USA EST $ 1 billion (momentary)
  • 2000’s Worldwide $10 billion (ALL)
  • *EPRI estimates

Trends of PQ

  • Over $20 billion of power semiconductor products are installed annually.
  • 30 percent of all power flows through power semiconductors now
  • That will grow to 70 percent by 2010 (EPRI)

What Does That Mean?

The annual “cost of poor power quality” is $12 billion in US?

Semiconductor Sales


Losses to Industry, Estimates per event by EPRI.

Automotive $50,000 to $500,000

  • Momentary interruptions stop production line.
  • Costs $10million per year

Source: Electrical Power Research Institute

Losses in Semiconductor Manufacturing Wafer Fab

$250,000 and up per PQ event

  • Texas Instrument , 1996 $312,000 cost,
    – Loss revenue $1,000,000
  • Intel , 1996 $500,000 to $1,000,000
    – includes loss revenue cost.
  • 2000 2X (with 300 mm)Chemical industry

Chemical Industry

  • $50,000 to $500,000
  • In 1 year, Dupont saved $75M with PQ solutions.
  • Risk of accident
  • Risk of pollution

Source: Electrical Power Research Institute

Equipment Manufacturer

  • Large compressor manufacturer
  • $100,000 per event
  • $1,700,000/year
  • Latent defects that fail after deliver to the customer

Source: Electrical Power Research Institute

Table: 1993 Computer Losses in USA

CauseIn millions of $# of reports
Theft$1011275,000
Power Surge$318389,000
Accidents$246276,000
Misc.#157269,000
Lightning$8691,000

Source: Safeware, The Insurance Agency

ISP Site Hosts

  • Sites host computers/servers that host web pages
  • Revenue can range from $1 to $10,000 per second
  • Must have 99.9999999% reliability

Paper Manufacturer

  • $30,000 2 second outage (Billington)
  • Broken rolls
  • Product quality issue

Source: Electrical Power Research Institute

Industry Losses 2001

  • 13 Billion $ to 26 Billion $
  • Frost and Sullivan 2001
  • 114 million $ annual losses due voltage sags

Study by Sandia National Labs July 1998


The Power Quality Market Place


What Determines the Acceptable Level of Power Quality?

  • The load, as the technology of the loads change, the sensitivity to power quality changes.
  • When studying PQ start with the requirements of the load.

The Increasing Cost of Power Quality Events

  • Cost of Semiconductor fab 8 inch $1B, 1998.
  • Semiconductor fab Y2K 12 inch ~ $3 Billion
  • Continuous 7 x 24 operation
  • Electronic controls replace electromechanical.
  • Computing power moves from the computer room to the office and production floor.

Advances in Microelectronics

  • 1970 2000 transistors per chip (.001joule)
  • 1980 10,000 transistors per chip (.0001j)
  • 1990 1,000,000 transistors per chip (.00001j)
  • 2000 1,000,000,000 transistors per chip (.000,000,1 j)
    (Approximate sensitivity level to disrupt)

Advances in AC to DC Power Supplies

  • Power supplies advanced from linear transformer based to switch mode design.
  • Voltage specification change
    ~ from +/-5% to 90V to 264V
  • Smaller, lighter
  • Increase sensitivity to transients
  • No common mode protection

Symptoms of Power Quality Problems

  • Electronic controlled systems that stop unexpectedly
  • Many system reboots required.
  • Abnormal failure rate of electronic systems
  • Transformers overheating
  • Motors failing
  • PF capacitors failing

What is the Typical PQ USA? (Voltage Sags from the Utility at USER level)

USA study 300 sites, 24 different utilities , 1993 to 1995, by EPRI.

  • 6 million events (RMS sag of 10% or greater)
  • 50 events >10% sag per year at typical site
  • 20 events > 30% sag per year
  • 4 power interruptions per year

Typical in Thailand?


In Thailand Mataput Sub Typical

Sags

  • 15 per year outside the “CBEMA Curve”
  • 22 per year that probably affected sensitive electronic.
  • 4 outages

Power Quality Malaysia (TNB)

At the transmission level 1-year 1998

  • 132 kv 24 to 35 events
    ~ ave 97 ms, worst 1,292 milliseconds
  • 275 kv 11 to 19 events
    ~ ave 112 ms worst 485 milliseconds

The Challenge

If some industries need nine 9’s (99.9999999%)and other industries need four 9’s (99.99%) what should the utility plan to deliver to be the most cost effective power supplier?

Future

  • Electrical system designs will focus more on the quality of power delivered to the load. The construction cost of retrofitting the electrical system is 2 to 5 times original build cost.
    ~ (PQI data shows, 50% + of PQ problems are related to the design and building of the electrical system)

Future II

  • Equipment manufacturers will offer various levels of power quality acceptance at different price points.
  • Utilities will offer various levels of Power Quality at different price points. Power Quality will be included in tariff structure.
  • Critical nodes will be monitored or “PQ metered” continuously.

Future of the Power Quality

  • The demands of increasing levels of PQ will continue until the electronic and process equipment designers recognize the need and implement design changes and their customers are willing to pay for them.
    ~ (New PQ standard for Semiconductor equipment)

Power Quality Inc.

  • Distributor and Value-Added Reseller for Reliable Meters Inc in Asia.
  • Power Quality training for utility engineers
  • 20 + years’ experience in Power Quality
  • PQ data analysis, site surveys, PQnetä
  • Power Quality solutions at all levels
  • Worldwide consulting on PQ problems

Please feel free to leave a question in the comments section or contact Terry Chandler, terryc@powerquality.org, terryc@powerquality.co.th

Evaluating Rapid Voltage Changes & its Propagation Effect using Multipoint Measurement Technique

Published by

Conference Paper: 23-25 Sept. 2020, Rome, Italy. 

Published in: 2020 International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility – EMC EUROPE

Abstract

A multipoint measurement technique for detecting rapid voltage changes causing electromagnetic interference, and its propagation effect in a power distribution network, is presented. The main advantage of the proposed techniques lies in its capability to detect rapid voltage change disturbance and its correlation with other electromagnetic interference events simultaneously. This is achieved by combining a multipoint measurement technique and a coincidence ratio evaluation method. A multipoint measurement technique was applied by using four distributed power quality analyzers which record conducted electromagnetic interference events. The recorded data is evaluated using the coincidence ratio and the time gap analysis method. The results show that a rapid voltage change in a 440 V power distribution subsystem has a probability in between 70 %and 93.8%of triggering a sag in an uninterrupted power supply, and thus electromagnetic interference towards other subsystems.

Keywords—Rapid Voltage Changes, electromagnetic interference, coincidence ratio, propagation, multipoint, measurement

INTRODUCTION

There are many issues associated with power quality (PQ) degradation that occur due to electromagnetic interference (EMI), mainly consisting of conducted disturbances. The PQ issue refers to a wide variety of electromagnetic phenomena that characterize the voltage and current at a given time and at a given location on the power system [1]. PQ issues due to EMI problems not only occur in a power distribution network with a physical connection to earth but also occur on islanded power networks such as a ship [2], [3].

Typical conducted EMI events are harmonic distortion, flicker, voltage surge, burst, voltage dip, voltage sag, voltage interruption, rapid voltage change (RVC) and swell. In a power distribution network, these could not only cause issues for the system that is directly connected to the interference source, but they could also propagate and interfere with other systems or subsystems that are located further away.

The problem of locating the EMI source, using the intercorrelation between each EMI in a power distribution network, is still a critical task [4]. Several methods based on a distributed multipoint measurement technique have been recently proposed to tackle the problem [4]–[10]. A method using a master-slave distributed measurement [4], [5] and a phasor measurement unit (PMU) [6] have been proposed for identifying and locating the EMI source. In [4], [5] the system measures continuously and the synchronization of all measurements can be obtained by synchronizing the clock of the slaves and master. However, these techniques are only used to find the source of harmonic EMI in the and cannot be used to determine the correlation between an EMI event with another EMI event. Whereas, evaluating the relationship between each EMI event is important because in the power distribution network, the equipment in the subsystem may be supplied by different parties.

Evaluating Rapid Voltage Changes _figure1

Fig. 1. The RVC event general consideration [16]

On the other hand, to detect an RVC event with small voltage disturbance (bellow dips and swell threshold) as recommended by IEC 61000-4-30:2015 standard [11], a precise and accurate measurement system is required. However, if it is applied in a continuous multipoint measurement, it requires a very large storage memory. To solve this problem, this study proposes a method using a specific and simultaneously recording technique which was applied to the multipoint measurement system. This proposed method is important because, through synchronous recording, the correlation between an RVC event and related EMI events at different locations can be determined.

To validate the proposed method, a measurement has been applied to the power distribution network on a ship. The correlation between an RVC event from the 440 V power distribution system with other EMI disturbances in other subsystems has been investigated. Furthermore, the RVC propagation and its effect are considered by analyzing the coincidence ratio and the time gap. This analysis is needed to determine the correlation with other EMI events because, in a distributed measurement system, each event is recorded with a different timestamp even if it is triggered by the same source event. In other words, an event at one point does not trigger measurements at the other points.

This paper is organized as follows: Section II describes the general consideration of the RVC event based on IEC 61000-4-30:2015 standard. Section III describes the measurement method using a multipoint measurement and data analysis method. Section IV presents the measurement and analysis result of the RVC effect, and, finally, Section V gives the concluding remarks of the study.

RVC EVENT GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

For many years, the RVC was known as a non-destructive EMI, and its main effect is light flicker [12]–[14]. Nowadays, several studies show that RVC will result in power quality disturbance. The non-flicker effects that have been reported are impairment of electronic equipment and malfunction of a control system [15], [16].

The RVC is introduced in the IEC standard 61000-4-30:2015 as a quick transition in root mean square (RMS) voltage between two steady-state conditions, during which the voltage does not exceed the dip or swell thresholds [11]. An RVC can be a voltage increase or voltage drop. If the deviation in voltage is more than the sag or swell thresholds, then the event is not recorded as RVC but becomes a sag or swell [11]. IEC 61000-4-30 standard does not specify the RVC threshold. The threshold should be defined by the user based on the application as a percentage of the declared input voltage Udin, a deviation between 1% and 6% from the declared input voltage is recommended [11], [17], [18]. This standard also defines the measurement and evaluation method of an RVC. Based on IEC 61000-4-30:2015, four parameters characterize an RVC event: [11], [14], [17]:

  • Start time: the start time of an RVC event begins when the steady-state voltage logic signal converts from true to false [17].
  • Duration: the RVC duration is 100/120 half-cycles shorter than the length of time that the steady-state voltage logic signal is false [17].
  • ΔUmax: “ΔUmax: is the maximum absolute difference between any of the of the Urms(1/2) value during the RVC event, and the final arithmetic means 100/120 Urms(1/2)” [17].
  • ΔUss: “ΔUss is the absolute difference between the final arithmetic mean 100/120 Urms(1/2) value just prior to the RVC event”[17].

The main characteristic of an RVC event based on these parameters are shown in Fig. 1 [18], [19]. Considering an RVC is a sudden event, “it can be modelled as a small step-like amplitude variation at time t*” as is shown in (1) [20].

Evaluating Rapid Voltage Changes _1

“where U is the RMS waveform amplitude in steady-state operating conditions, φ is the initial phase of RVC waveform, δφ is the phase shift during RVC event, δU is the relative amplitude variation in consequences of the RVC event, and 𝑓=𝑓0(1+𝛿𝑓) is the frequency of the waveform, which may differ from the nominal frequency value 𝑓0 (e.g 50 Hz or 60 Hz) by a static fractional frequency offset δf” [20].

As a conducted electromagnetic wave, the propagation of RVC is influenced by several parameters, medium permittivity, medium permeability, impedance, length of the medium, and installed electrical component. The time delay of the electromagnetic wave propagation or TD (s) depends on the total length of the conductor or L (m) and velocity of propagation or v (m/s) expressed in (2) [21].

Evaluating Rapid Voltage Changes _figure2

Fig. 2. System under test indicating the measurement points at which the PQubes are connected.

Evaluating Rapid Voltage Changes _2

In the case of a homogeneous medium, the velocity of propagation or v (m/s) of the voltage and current wave travel on the transmission line (two parallel-wire with insulation) is expressed in (3).

Evaluating Rapid Voltage Changes _3

where the speed of light or v0 3 x 108 m/s, the unit єr is the relative permittivity of insulation between conductors and the unit μr is the relative permeability [21]. For a transmission line, that the conductor is copper and the insulation material is PVC (єr 4), with non-magnetic dielectrics (μr =1) the velocity of propagation or v (m/s) of the voltage and current waves that propagate along that transmission line will be 1.5×108 m/s. So, in this case of per 1 m conductors, the time delay approximately is 6,66 ns/m.

MULTIPOINT MEASUREMENT SETUP AND DATA ANALYSIS METHOD

In this study, PQ measurement was conducted on the islanded three-phase electricity network of a real ship with isolated terra (IT) configuration. The network consists of a 440 V distribution subsystem, a 440 V/115 V step-down transformer, a distribution panel that distributes voltage to three different lines. Each line consists of a reactor line, a low-pass filter, an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) and two loads.

In general, the characteristics of the PQ shipboard electrical network must comply with STANAG 1008 ed. 9 standard requirements [22]. To evaluate RVCs propagation effect, a distributed multipoint measurement technique was applied. The measurement consists of four power quality analyzers model PQube 3 manufactured by PSL-Power Standard Lab that are installed at four different measurement points:

1) Point A: PQube A that is installed at the 440 V power distribution output

2) Point B: PQube B that is installed at UPS 1 input

3) Point C: PQube C that is installed at UPS 3 input

4) Point D: PQube D that is installed at UPS 1 output

All PQubes are interconnected with a router, while a Raspberry pi-3 is used for time reference. Each PQube has a sampling rate of 512 samples per cycle at 50/60 Hz and an accuracy ±0.05 % rdg ±0.05 % FS. It has a voltage measurement range from 0 VAC to 1300 VAC (L-L). This PQube uses Urms measurement method with true single-cycle RMS, and updates every ½ cycle based on IEC 61000-4-30:2015 standard [23]. Fig. 2 shows the measurement system configuration as was implemented in the ship power distribution network. The data was collected over 2 days during normal journey operation of the ship.

In this study, each PQube monitors the current and voltage continuously, and stores the data based on event triggers and record the data automatically only if any EMI event occurs within the threshold value. It specifically records EMI events like RVC, dip, sag, interruption, impulse, and swell events in accordance with IEC 61000-4-30:2015 and programmed using a higher level to measure voltage deviation based on STANAG-1008 ed. 9. Table I show the measurement threshold setting and its comparison with STANAG 1008 ed.9 [24]

In the IEC 61000-4-30:2015, a voltage dip is also referred to as sag [11]. However, in this study, sag is used as a voltage drop with the threshold value of -5% Urms and with duration less then dip duration threshold. The purpose of this sag setting is to record voltages drop event that has a duration shorter than the dip duration.

The stored data is analyzed by the folder timeline structure of each PQube. The folder names contain information about the specific event and at which time it occurred. The time format is hh.mm.ss:mmm. In a total of 15.2 GB of data was gathered in 2 days.

TABLE I. MEASUREMENT THRESHOLD SETTING COMPARED WITH STANAG 1008 ED.9.

Evaluating Rapid Voltage Changes _table1

To calculate the event percentage correlation with RVC event at 440 V distribution subsystem, a coincidence ratio method is used. The coincidence ratio is calculated using the Venn intersection compared with the total sum (union) approach. An intersection is an event that occurs simultaneously in the time window duration on reference measurement point, for example, PQube A with another specific event occurring in any other PQubes. Total sum (union) is the total numbers of two specific events in the two PQubes.

In the ideal situation, the time window can be determined from the total time delay (TD) from wire path, connector path and microstrip path on PCB and also transient time response from each subsystem component. But to simplify the measurement in this case, 1-second windowing is taken because the total connector wire length between point A to point B or point A to point C or point A to point D is approximately 15 – 20 m and the path inside PCB is unknown. Meaning that every EMI event within this time window will be counted as a coincidence event.

Then the total number of the coincident events will be rationalized with the total sum (union) of the specific data events. The coincidence ratio (β) is proposed in [7]:

Evaluating Rapid Voltage Changes _4

The PQ1,event x being reference event, in this case, are RVC events at point A, and PQ2 being second measurement point (B, C, D). While the event y can be a dip, sag, interruption, RVC, impulse or swell event on that point.

INVESTIGATION AND RESULT

In this section, we describe the investigation of an RVC example event that occurs in point A, RVC effects or coincidence ratio, and also time gap between RVC events recorded at point A are compared with other EMI event timing.

A. The RVC event example

During two days of measurements, PQube A recorded a total of 80 RVC events. All of the recorded RVC events in point A are voltage drops. To simplify the discussion, we take an example from the measurement result that shows the characteristic of an RVC event in 440 V distribution subsystem. The graph in Fig. 3 is an RVC event example that occurs at point A on the first day of measurement at 09.09.37:810. Fig. 3 shows that the voltage decreases as much as 22 V compared with first Urms (ΔUmax = 4.5 %), and final RMS decreases 1 V compared with first Urms (ΔUss= 0.2 %) and duration of this RVC is 807 ms.

Evaluating Rapid Voltage Changes _figure3

Fig. 3. An RVC event at 440V distribution subsystem, recorded by PQube A on the first-day measurement at 09.09.37:810.

B. RVC Coincidence ratio and effect

An analysis approach using the coincidence ratio was applied to assess the effect of the RVC. By applying (4) and time windowing for 1 second after RVC events at the 440 V distribution subsystem, we can calculate the relationship between RVC events with other events in other subsystems. The higher the percentage of coincidence ratio, the greater their relationship. Table II presents the coincident ratio of each event with the RVC event at point A.

TABLE II. COINCIDENCE RATIO (%) OF RVC EVENT AT POINT A AND OTHER EMI EVENT AT EACH MEASUREMENT POINT.

Evaluating Rapid Voltage Changes _table2

As can be seen from Table II, not all of the EMI disturbances have a correlation with an RVC event. The RVC effect only appears at point B (70%) and point C (93.8%_ as a sag form.

Every time an RVC event happens, it propagates through a 440/115 V step down transformer, a 115 V distribution panel, an impedance line reactor, a power supply filter and ends up being a sag at UPS input in most of the case. These because all the recorded RVC events during two days measurement only form as voltage drop, if in other cases the RVC occur in the form of a voltage increase then the effect might be different.

At point D no EMI event that recorded has a correlation with RVC event. That means the RVC disturbance is eliminated by the UPS subsystem.

C. RVC Propagation

An RVC waveform and RMS value from 440 V power distribution subsystem can change according to the component characteristic in its path. So, it can be detected as a different type of disturbance in the next subsystem even though it comes from the same EMI source. The RVC propagation is considered by analyzing the percentage value of the coincidence ratio, the propagation path, and the time gap.

The time gap (Δt) is the time difference between an RVC event recorded by PQube A and an EMI event which recorded by another PQube. The duration of this time gap is influenced by the total time delay and characteristics of each component in the subsystem. The standard deviation (σ) represents the amount of data dispersion. The time gap average and the standard deviation (σ) is presented in Table III. However, in this case, the value displayed does not take into account if there is a wave reflection or re-reflection due to imbalance impedance.

TABLE III THE TIME GAP BETWEEN RVC EVENT AT 440 V DISTRIBUTION AND OTHER EMI EVENT.

Evaluating Rapid Voltage Changes _table3

Evaluating Rapid Voltage Changes _figure4

Fig. 4. Comparison between an RVC event at 440 V distribution subsystem, sag event at UPS input and the response at UPS output.

To explain the propagation mechanism, an example of an RVC event at point A with a sag event at point B and point D is shown in Fig. 4. This example is taken from the first-day measurement at 09.09.37. In this case, as soon as the RVC occurs and recorded by PQube A, a sag occur in UPS input around 126 ms after. By comparing the envelope of this RVC event and sag event, it showed similarity in their pattern. It starts from the steady-state phase and then the voltage drop. When the voltage starts to recover, it followed by a voltage increase exceed the Urms, then the voltage ramps down and reach the final steady-state value. At this example, an RVC event with 4.5% (ΔUmax) could have strong correlation cause-effect with the 5.43 % (ΔUmax) voltage decrease (sag event) at point B. This result confirms the relationship between RVC event at 440 V distribution subsystem and sag event at UPS input. At the same time reference, at UPS output, the voltage fluctuates but only 0.8 %. That means, the RVC event does not have much effect on the voltage at UPS output, and it is also in line with the result that was shown in Table II and Table III. The voltage drop greater than 5 % which is recorded at PQube B and PQube C as a sag might be caused due to voltage loss or non-ideal characteristic of a step-down transformer, cable or other components in the pathway.

CONCLUSION

The objective of this research is to find a method to understand the propagation effect of an RVC from the 440 V distribution subsystem on a ship’s power network using a multipoint measurement technique. The proposed method has proven to be useful in determining the correlation between RVC events and other EMI events. The investigation has also revealed that a small voltage disturbance like an RVC in the ship can trigger other voltage disturbances, e.g. voltage sags, in other subsystems. A non-ideal transformer or a voltage loss on components might make the voltage drop bigger. This finding enhances our understanding that any other non-light-flicker effects occur as a result of the RVC event on the ship’s 440 V distribution subsystem. The observations from this study also suggest that to maintain a high PQ, a small disturbance such as an RVC must still be considered and not taken lightly.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors wish to thank Mr J. Baardink, Mr I. Purwahyudi, and Mr D. Kurniawan for their help performing the measurement.

REFERENCES

[1] IEEE Std 1159:2009, “IEEE Recommended Practice for Monitoring Electric Power Quality.,” vol. 2009, no. June. 2009.

[2] R. Bijman, R. B. Timens, F. Leferink, and T. N. B. V, “Effect of integrated mast on power quality of naval vessel in island configuration,” pp. 489–493, 2013.

[3] C. Klünder, T. Pilsak, H. Hanneken, and J. Luiken Ter Haseborg, “Modern vessels and their problems in EMC – Examples in practice,” IEEE Int. Symp. Electromagn. Compat., pp. 674–679, 2010.

[4] C. Muscas, L. Peretto, S. Sulis, and R. Tinarelli, “Investigation on multipoint measurement techniques for PQ monitoring,” IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas., vol. 55, no. 5, pp. 1684–1690, 2006.

[5] L. Cristaldi, A. Ferrero, and S. Salicone, “A distributed system for electric power quality measurement,” IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas., vol. 51, no. 4, pp. 776–781, 2002.

[6] K. V. Suslov, N. N. Solonina, and A. S. Smirnov, “Distributed power quality monitoring,” Proc. Int. Conf. Harmon. Qual. Power, ICHQP, 2014.

[7] M. I. Sudrajat, N. Moonen, H. Bergsma, R. Bijman, and F. Leferink, “Multipoint Measurement Technique for Tracking Electromagnetic Interference Propagation and Correlation in a Complex Installation,” in 2020 IEEE International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Signal Integrity and Power Integrity., to be published.

[8] A. Matthee, N. Moonen, and F. Leferink, “Versatile high-sample frequency power quality measurement device,” in 2020 IEEE International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Signal Integrity and Power Integrity., to be published.

[9] T. Hartman, N. Moonen, and F. Leferink, “Evaluation of Multichannel Synchronous Conducted TDEMI Measurements for High Voltage Power Electronics,” in Proc. of the 2018 International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC Europe 2018), 2018, vol. 2018-Augus, pp. 839–843.

[10] T. Hartman, N. Moonen, and F. Leferink, “Direct sampling in multi-channel synchronous TDEMI measurements,” in 2018 IEEE 4th Global Electromagnetic Compatibility Conference (GEMCCON), 2018.

[11] IEC Std 61000-4-30:2015, “Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-30: Testing and measurement techniques – Power quality measurement methods.” 2015.

[12] M. H. J. Bollen, M. Häger, and C. Schwaegerl, “Quantifying voltage variations on a time scale between 3 seconds and 10 minutes,” in 18th International Conference on Electricity Distribution, 2005, vol. 2, no. 2005–11034, pp. 413–417.

[13] K. Brekke, H. Seljeseth, and O. Mogstad, “Rapid voltage changes – definition and minimum requirements,” IET Conf. Publ., no. 550 CP, 2009.

[14] J. Barros, M. De Apraiz, R. I. Diego, J. J. Gutierrez, P. Saiz, and I. Azcarate, “Minimum requirements for rapid voltage changes regulation based on their effect on flicker,” in AMPS 2017 – IEEE International Workshop on Applied Measurements for Power Systems, Proceedings, 2017, pp. 1–5.

[15] J. Barros, J. J. Gutierrez, M. De Apraiz, P. Saiz, R. I. Diego, and A. Lazkano, “Rapid voltage changes in power system networks and their effect on flicker,” IEEE Trans. Power Deliv., vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 262–270, 2016.

[16] J. Schlabbach, D. Blume, and T. Stephanblome, Voltage Quality in Electrical Power Systems. 2001.

[17] J. Barros, P. Saiz, M. De Apráiz, L. A. Leturiondo, R. I. Diego, and J. J. Gutierrez, “Limitations in the use of the IEC standard method for detection and analysis of rapid voltage changes in power system networks,” in Proceedings of International Conference on Harmonics and Quality of Power, ICHQP, 2016, vol. 2016-Decem, pp. 530–534.

[18] M. De Apraiz, J. Barros, R. I. Diego, J. J. Gutiérrez, K. Redondo, and I. Azcarate, “Detection and analysis of rapid voltage changes in power system networks,” in 2014 IEEE International Workshop on Applied Measurements for Power Systems, AMPS 2014 – Proceedings, 2014, pp. 81–86.

[19] IEC Std 61000-3-7:2008, “Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 3-7: Limits – Assessment of emission limits for the connection of fluctuating installations to MV, HV and EHV power systems.” 2008.

[20] D. Macii and D. Petri, “On the detection of rapid voltage change (RVC) events for power quality monitoring,” in I2MTC 2017 – 2017 IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, Proceedings, 2017, pp. 1–6.

[21] C. R. Paul, Introduction to Electromagnetic Compatibility-Second Edition. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons, 2006.

[22] F. Scuiller, B. Keruel, and M. Richard, “Voltage deviation factor analysis and meaning for warship electric power system,” in 2011 IEEE Electric Ship Technologies Symposium, ESTS 2011, 2011, pp. 434–438.

[23] Power Standards Lab, PQube 3 Power Analyzer Specification. 2019.

[24] STANAG 1008, “Characteristics of shipboard electrical power systems in warships of the NATO navies – edition 9.” NATO, 2004.

Original paper is available on https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9245886

 

PQ Monitoring Standards – What You Need To Know


DESCRIPTION

There’s an age-old problem in the Power Quality (PQ) monitoring industry – measure the same circuit with instruments from different manufactures at the same time, and you could get different results! Which one do you believe? Do you trust any of them?

There have been electrical energy monitoring standards for many years that define the methods, accuracies, and other aspects to accurately measuring energy, especially when billing is involved. However, standards that define PQ monitoring methods have been slower to follow and have been inconsistent from region to region.

PQ monitoring standards have evolved significantly since they first arrived in the 1990’s. There have been some very important changes recently that could affect how you monitor for PQ, and the instrumentation that you should use. This TechTip will update you on the current PQ standards, which ones may apply to you, and also help you determine the appropriate monitoring tools needed going forward.

PQ STANDARDS BODIES

There are two major organizations that have published the PQ monitoring standards that we tend to follow:

  • Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers (IEEE). US based
  • International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). European based

There are others who have published related standards, but they are usually for national or regional use and tend to follow the major methods from the IEC or IEEE, and sometimes both.

PQ COMPLIANCE VS. MONITORING STANDARDS

Industry standards cover many topics. For PQ, there can be both compliance and monitoring standards. Sometimes both topics are covered in the same document. Below is a summary of each as they pertain to this TechTip:

  • PQ compliance: Are the measured parameters within the limits defined by the standard for the application.
  • PQ monitoring: The measurement methods and accuracies to properly measure PQ parameters. Note that accuracy alone is not enough and the methods (i.e. algorithms) used to measure/compute the required parameters are just as important.

There is an important distinction between compliance and monitoring standards. Simply stated, monitoring standards describe how to properly measure the parameters in order to determine if they are within the pass/fail limits defined in the compliance standards. Again, sometimes measurement and compliance are covered in the same document, such as in IEEE 519-2014 (below). In other cases they are separate, such as IEC 61000-4-30 (below) defining the measurements and other IEC/EN standards defining compliance limits.

WHICH PQ STANDARDS APPLY TO ME?

Generally speaking, geography usually determines the standards that you should follow.

  • IEEE: The IEEE recommended practices for PQ are primarily followed in North America, but are also referenced in other parts of the world.
  • IEC: The IEC standards for PQ are followed in Europe, parts of Asia, and other regions of the world.

If you’re monitoring in Europe, then the IEC standards, specifically IEC 61000-4-30 should be followed. See below for details

However, for other parts of the world, including the USA, it may not be as simple as geography. A main reason is that the IEC standards have advanced more quickly than the equivalent IEEE recommended practices. As a result, the IEC is ahead of the IEEE in many areas, and the IEEE has used some of the IEC’s measurement methods in some of its more recent revisions.

Further complicating matters are national and regional standards that adopt all, or part of these standards, and make their own requirements. These are mostly in regions outside of the USA.

IEEE RECOMMENDED PRACTICES

The IEEE has several recommended practices that apply to PQ monitoring:

  • IEEE 1159 – Recommended Practice for Monitoring Electric Power Quality: Describes nominal conditions, deviations in power, categorizes PQ events and defines PQ data formats, but does not define the measurement methods for PQ.
  • IEEE 519 – Recommended Practice and Requirements for Harmonic Control in Electric Power Systems. The most recent revision was in 2014 which adopted IEC 61000-4-7 measurement methods but added compliance parameters and limits.
  • IEEE 1459 – Recommended Practice for the Analysis of Fluctuating Installations on Power Systems: Defines the measurement and limits for voltage flicker. Adopted IEC 61000-4-15 methods.

The recommended practices listed above are all important, and are very relevant, and the IEEE adopted the IEC’s methods for harmonics and voltage flicker measurements. So what’s the concern? There is no top-down reference from the IEEE for the measurement of other common PQ issues, such as sags (dips), swells, and others. The IEEE is working on this, but an IEC standard called IEC 61000-4-30 addresses these concerns and has become the worldwide reference for PQ monitoring methods. IEC 61000-4-30 is quite applicable in the USA and other regions that typically follow the IEEE’s recommended practices.

IEC 61000-4-30 AND ITS IMPORTANCE

In 2003, the IEC release the first edition of an important standard called IEC 61000-4-30. This was an all-encompassing standard that defined measurement methods for most of the important PQ parameters, including sags/dips, interruptions, harmonics, flicker, frequency, etc. IEC 61000-4-30 defined several classes of monitoring devices, with Class A meeting the most stringent requirements. The intent of this standard was to define the methods for instruments to measure PQ parameters, accuracies, etc. The objective being to achieve consistent and repeatable measurements from all compliant manufacturers, addressing the age old problem referred to

above…

Since its introduction, there have been two subsequent revisions to IEC 61000-4-30, with the most recent being Edition 3 that was released in 2014. Edition 3 added the measurement of current and Rapid Voltage Changes (RVC). With the release of Edition 3, a parallel compliance testing standard called IEC 62586 was also introduced that defines the test procedures and requirements to certify compliance to IEC 61000-4-30 (see below).

In Europe and other regions, IEC 61000-4-30 Class A instruments are required for many types of PQ monitoring applications. Examples are in compliance monitoring applications and those where you are questioning the reliability of the utility or energy supplier. In such cases you must prove that the instrument is reliably measuring the parameters being questions.

IEC 62586 – IEC 61000-4-30 COMPLIANCE TESTING

IEC 62856 defines the testing methods and procedures to certify compliance of an instrument to IEC 61000-4-30 Edition 3. Prior to IEC 62586 there were no defined techniques to test to IEC 61000-4-30, and laboratories and instrument manufacturers created their own guidelines and certification processes. This resulted in inconstancies and the actual compliance of some products being questioned. IEC 62586 addresses this concern and puts everyone on equal footing by defining the requirements in advance for consistent testing and certification.

Below is a portion of the IEC 61000-4-30 Class A Edition 3 compliance test certificate for our Dranetz HDPQ Plus family showing the required tests that were performed. 

iec61000_4_30_2015

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PQ MONITORING INSTRUMENT

IEC 61000-4-30 has become the worldwide benchmark for PQ monitoring methods. It is appropriate for use in most parts of the world, and it can also be used in conjunction with local standards. Case in point is the USA where IEC 61000-4-30 fills in the areas missing in IEEE recommended practices.

By choosing an IEC 61000-4-30 Class A Edition 3 compliant instrument, you can be assured that it has reliable and repeatable measurements and comes from a reputable manufacturer.

Being a global leader in power quality monitoring instrumentation, Dranetz was the first manufacturer to conform to the requirements of IEC 61000-4-30 Class A. Most of our current PQ monitoring instruments, including our HDPQ Plus family, are fully compliant with the requirements of IEC 61000-4-30 Class A Edition 3, and compliance has been verified to IEC 62586. The HDPQ Plus family is also fully compliant with the latest IEEE standards, including IEEE 519- 2014 for harmonics measurements.

TO CONTACT DRANETZ

Call 1-800-372-6832 (US and Canada) or 1-732-287-3680for Technical or Sales support

To submit a support request online, please visit: https://www.dranetz.com/technical-support-request

Voltage Tolerance Boundary

Published by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), January 1999.

The only national standard for utilization voltage regulation is ANSI C84.1. Its title is American National Standard for Electric Power Systems and Equipment – Voltage Ratings (60 Hertz). The first version in 1954 was a combination of two standards, one from the Edison Electric Institute that represents utilities and the second from NEMA that stands for National Electrical Manufacturers Association. It establishes nominal voltage ratings for utilities to regulate the service delivery and it establishes operating tolerances at the point of use. The design and operation of power systems and the design of equipment to be supplied from such systems should be coordinated with respect to these voltages. In doing so, the equipment will perform satisfactorily in conformance with product standards throughout the range of actual utilization voltages that will be encountered on the system. These limits shall apply to sustained voltage levels and not to momentary voltage excursions that may occur from such causes as switching operations, fault clearing, motor starting currents, and the like.

To further this objective, this standard establishes, for each nominal system voltage, two ranges for service voltage and utilization voltage variations, designated as Range A and Range B, the limits of which are illustrated in figure 1 based on a 120 volt nominal system.

Voltage Tolerance Boundary_figure1Figure 1. Voltage Ranges, ANSI C84.1

Notes:

  • These shaded portions of the ranges do not apply to circuits supplying lighting loads.
  • This shaded portion of the range does not apply to 120-600-volt systems.
  • The difference between minimum service and minimum utilization voltages is intended to allow for voltage drop in the customer’s wiring system. This difference is greater for service at more than 600 volts to allow for additional voltage drop in transformations between service voltage and utilization equipment.

Basically, the Range A service voltage range is plus or minus 5% of nominal. The Range B utilization voltage range is plus 6% to minus 13% of nominal.

For range A, the occurrence of service voltages outside of these limits should be infrequent. Utilization equipment shall be designed and rated to give fully satisfactory performance throughout this range (A). Range B includes voltages above and below Range A limits that necessarily result from practical design and operating conditions on supply or user systems, or both. Although such conditions are a part of practical operations, they shall be limited in extent, frequency, and duration. When they occur, on a sustained basis, corrective measures shall be undertaken within a reasonable time to improve voltages to meet Range A requirements.

Insofar as practicable, utilization equipment shall be designed to give acceptable performance in the extremes of the range of utilization voltages, although not necessarily as good performance as in Range A.

It should be recognized that because of conditions beyond the control of the supplier or user, or both, there will be infrequent and limited periods when sustained voltages outside Range B limits will occur. Utilization equipment may not operate satisfactorily under these conditions, and protective devices may operate to protect the equipment.

ANSI C84 does not explain that typically, the nameplate nominal voltage is not the same as the utility nominal voltage. Refer to table 1. ANSI C84 also does not explain that in general, NEMA, National Electrical Manufacturers Association recommends that all electrical appliances and motors should operate at nameplate plus or minus 10% satisfactorily, however not necessarily at an optimum condition. The reason that the nameplate nominal is lower than the service entrance voltage is the acknowledgment that there will be a voltage drop within the electrical distribution system of the end users premise. The National Electrical Code allows up to a 5% drop. There can be a <3% drop in a feeder and an additional <3% drop in individual branch circuits.

Table 1. National Steady State Voltage Regulation Standards

Voltage Tolerance Boundary_table1

Utilities actively regulate distribution voltages slowly by means of tap changing regulators and by switching capacitors to follow changes in load. These voltage changes are small incremental steps necessary to keep the service delivery voltage within an acceptable range as customers add and subtract load during the day. This slow regulation maintains a sustained voltage range. Sustained usually means a period greater than two minutes.

The reason for the CBEMA curve is for changes in voltage shorter than two minutes. As described above, there will be excursions outside the acceptable ranges for short “momentary” periods.

NEW ITIC VALUES 1996 OLD CBEM A CURVE 1977

Voltage Tolerance Boundary_new itic value

Duration of Disturbance in Cycles (c) and Seconds (s)

Footnote:

  • ITIC = Information Technology Industrial Council
  • CBEMA = Computer and Business Electronic Manufacturers Association ANSI Steady State values are plus 6 % to minus 13 % measured at end-use equipment

Computer and electronic equipment manufacturers usually specify maximum momentary voltage deviations within which their equipment can operate without sustaining errors or equipment damage. This curve shows an envelope of voltage tolerances that is representative of power-conscious computer and other electronic equipment manufacturers. The original CBEMA curve is referenced in ANSI/IEEE Std 446-1987, A Recommended Practice for Emergency and Standby Power Systems for Industrial and Commercial Applications. The CBEMA group has changed names to ITIC to represent a broader spectrum of the industry.

The wider tolerance curve was created in 1996 to indicate the improved ride through capability of power conscious manufacturers. The original CBEMA curve was established as a guideline for computers in data centers with extensive power quality mitigation measures in place such as motor-generator sets and isolation transformers. For equipment located outside this protected environment, there will be frequent events outside the curve.

Some power quality monitors now include the CBEMA/ITIC mask to provide a frame of reference when reviewing recorded events. The assumption is that events within the curve should not cause disruption or damage. Equipment experiencing problems will need some form of mitigation to isolate itself from the electrical distribution system. Before mitigating these disturbances, it is important to understand the equipment’s sensitivity level. There are no general equipment susceptibility standards for momentary voltage variations. For a general description of power quality issues and solutions there are three good publications. These are described at the end of this power note.

The microelectronics industry has produced two standards in view of the extremely high losses due to power variations in the manufacture of microelectronics; SEMI E10 Standard for Definition and Measurement of Equipment Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability; and SEMI F42 Test Method for Semiconductor Processing Equipment Voltage Sag Immunity. E10 defines the sag ride through capability. F42 defines the test methodology to confirm compliance to the standard.

These standards are available from Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI), 805 East Middlefield Road, Mountain View, CA 94043. Their web address is www.semi.org. Basically, that industry has decided that if they properly define the problem and provide for a performance test procedure when purchasing new production equipment, they can reduce the number of nuisance tripping problems. An analysis of 30 monitor years of disturbance data collected at major semiconductor manufacturing sites revealed that 15.4% of the events were below the CBEMA 1996 tolerance curve. The average number of occurrences below the CBEMA 1996 curve per site per year was 5.4. The SEMI task force concluded that a higher standard was needed.

Duration of Voltage Sag in Seconds

Voltage Tolerance Boundary_figure2

Figure 2. SEMI E10 Voltage Sag Ride-Through Curve

Figure two is the approved SEMI E10 Voltage Sag Ride-Through standard. This was determined by statistical data analysis of the frequency and duration of sags and the cost to incorporate ride through mitigation. If you are interested in the development of the SEMI standard, there is a web site where it is spelled out in a document available to the public. The document’s name is Guide for the Design of Semiconductor Equipment to Meet Voltage Sag Immunity Standards. The web site address is www.semitech.org. It is classified as a Technology Transfer document #99063760A-TR. Figure three is an overlay of the CBEMA curves and the SEMI E10 curve. The principal improvement in the SEMI curve is lowering the sag ride through curve down to 50% of nominal for the first 200 milliseconds or about 12 cycles. Beyond 12 cycles, the SEMI curve mimics the new CBEMA curve.

New/Old CBEMA Curve Compared to SEMI E10 Limits Duration of Voltage SAG in Milliseconds

Voltage Tolerance Boundary_figure3

Figure 3. Overlay of CBEMA and SEMI curves

SEMI E10 sag ride through threshold only defined between 50 milliseconds and one second, (3 cycles–60 cycles). In practice, machine must ride through voltage sag down to 50% of nominal up to 12 cycles.

In a parallel development, an IEEE working group generally focusing on sag ride through issues, has produced a standard to analyze the economics of sag ride through mitigation, IEEE Standard 1346-1998, Recommended Practice for Evaluating Electric Power System Compatibility With Electronic Process Equipment. A standard methodology for the technical and financial analysis of voltage sag compatibility between process equipment and electric power systems is recommended. The methodology presented is intended to be used as a planning tool to quantify the voltage sag environment and process sensitivity. It shows how technical and financial alternatives can be evaluated. Unlike the SEMI standard above, this standard does not include performance standards.

General power quality references

IEEE 1250-1995. Guide for Service to Equipment Sensitive to Momentary Voltage Disturbances. This guide describes momentary voltage disturbances (short duration transients) occurring in AC power distribution and utilization systems, their potential effects on sensitive equipment, and guidance toward mitigation of these effects.

IEEE 1100-1999. Recommended Practice for Powering and Grounding Electronic Equipment. Incompatibilities between power system characteristics and equipment tolerances have caused operating problems and loss of productivity in all kinds of power systems – putting facility engineers and system designers in the spotlight to provide effective and efficient solutions. A key element to formulating any solution is the cooperative effort, among power system designers, equipment manufacturers, and the electric utilities, to provide and maintain an acceptable level of load/source compatibility. This is also known as the Emerald Book.

IEEE 446-1995. Recommended Practice for Emergency and Standby Power Systems for Industrial and Commercial Applications. The Orange Book presents the recommended engineering practices for the selection and application of emergency and standby power systems. It provides commercial/industrial facility designers, operators, and owners with guidelines for assuring uninterrupted power. Users in the areas of industrial process operations, medical facilities, and solid-state and computer installations will find the help they need in meeting the demand for uninterrupted power, virtually free of frequency excursions and voltage dips, surges, and transients.