International Conference on Renewable Energies and Power

Quality (ICREPQ’09)
European Association for the
Development of Renewable Energies,
Environment and Power Quality Valencia (Spain), 15th to 17th April, 2009

Measurement and calculation of harmonics in distribution power system with

connected small co-generation facility Etan

Ana Tomasović1, Mate Lasić1 and Božidar Filipović-Grčić2

1
Končar Electrical Engineering Institute
Fallerovo setaliste 22, 10000 Zagreb (Croatia)
Phone:+385 1 3655243, fax: +385 1 3667309, e-mail: ana.tomasovic@koncar-institut.hr; mate.lasic@koncar-institut.hr
2
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing
Unska 3, 10002 Zagreb (Croatia)
Phone:+385 1 6129714, fax: +385 1 6129890, e-mail: bozidar.filipovic-grcic@fer.hr

Abstract Generation of electrical energy in large
conventional plants (thermal, hydro, nuclear) in last ten years
worldwide is being supplemented by small generation utilities.
Etan is a gas refining facility. Power supply is provided by two
turbo generators and each of them can independently cover the
consumption of Etan. Etan usually works in insular operation,
but it can also work parallel to the distribution system,
especially in cases of maintenance of generator units. Etan is
connected to the MV distribution power system (10 kV bus in
substation 35/10 kV Ivanic Grad) through a 4,5 km long cable.
Load in Etan consist mostly of induction motors. Power
electronic devices are used for control of motor loads. The
working process of the refinery is always the same so the load
is not varying with time.
It is very important to know the influence of this kind of
industrial consumers with distributed generation on power
quality.
Power quality measurements were performed at three
measurement points with the power quality analyzer ION 7650
of company Power Measurement.
The aim of this paper is to compare harmonic measurements
and calculations at all three measuring points in different
operating conditions depending on the production of generator
in Etan.
Key words
Distributed generation, power quality, harmonic
measurements, harmonic calculation.
1. Introduction
Etan now usually works in insular operation, but in the
future, the refinery should operate parallel to the
distribution system, with option of exporting energy to
the power system. Turbo generators in Etan have rated
power of 3,325 MVA each. They are connected directly
to the 10 kV bus without power transformers. The
generators always work separately. The maximum
consumption of Etan is 1,6 MW, so one generator is more
than enough to cover consumption of the refinery. Load
in Etan that consists mostly of induction motors is
connected to the LV busses through two power
transformers 10/0,4 kV of rated power 1,6 MVA each.
Etan is through a 4,5 km long cable connected to 10 kV
bus in distribution network’s substation 35/10 kV Ivanic
Grad (point of common coupling - PCC). Cable
connection is reserved for power supply of Etan in case
of generators’ reconstruction. Etan facility is connected
to the power transformer which has loaded tertiary
winding. The rated power of the transformer is 8/4/4
MVA. Secondary and tertiary windings have separated
busses. Etan – industrial consumer is connected to the
secondary winding, and distribution loads like household
consumers are connected to the tertiary winding. High
percentage of motor loads and power electronic devices
suggest that harmonics may represent a significant
problem for all loads connected to distribution system, in
case when Etan is working parallel to the distribution
system. A major effect of harmonic voltages and currents
is increased heating of power system elements like power
transformers, motors, generators, cables, lines, etc.
Except increased heating there is a possibility of system
resonance that can destroy system elements like capacitor
banks.
2. Measurement
The measurements were performed in order to determine
of power quality parameters, especially harmonics, in the
distribution power system. The measurements were
performed in cases when Etan is not connected to the
system and when Etan is working parallel to the system.
In case when Etan is working parallel to the system,
measurements were carried out for three different
situations: with power generation of 1,9 MW (more than
Etan’s consumption), with power generation of 0,3 MW
(less than Etan’s consumption) and with power
generation of 0 MW (all consumption is covered by the Measurement results of harmonics (peak value in
distribution system). Measuring points in distribution percentage of nominal voltage) on the 10 kV bus in
power system and in Etan refinery are shown on figure 1. substation Ivanic Grad – on secondary transformer
Instruments were set at three measuring points and winding (MT2) in case when Etan is working parallel to
measurements were taken simultaneously at all the system, for all three different cases are shown on
measuring points. First measuring point was on the 35 kV figure 3.
bus in substation Ivanic Grad - MT1, second measuring
point was on the 10 kV bus in substation Ivanic Grad Measurement results in MT2 for different generator operating points

(secondary transformer winding) – MT2 and the third 2

measuring point was on the 10 kV bus in Etan refinery – 1,8

MT2 - Generator production 1,9 MW
MT3. Power quality analyzers ION 7650 were used for 1,6
MT2 - Generator production 0,3 MW
the measurements. 1,4
MT2 - Generator production 0 MW

1,2

35 kV

% Un
1

MT1 0,8

Y 0,6
T2 35/10/10 kV
y d TS 35/10/10 kV Ivanić Grad
8/4/4 MVA
Yy0d5 0,4

0,2
10 kV 10 kV
0
THD 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Harmonic order
MT2

cable "Etan2"
≈ 4,5 km
cable "Etan1"
≈ 4,5 km
Fig. 3. Measurement results of harmonics on the 10 kV
bus in substation Ivanic Grad – on secondary transformer
winding (MT2) for three different cases
10 kV

MT3
Measurement results of harmonics (peak value in
10/0,4 kV
1,6 MVA
10/0,4 kV
1,6 MVA
Dy5
Etan Gas rafinery
percentage of nominal voltage) on the 10 kV bus in Etan
Dy5

G2 G1
refinery (MT3) in case when Etan is working parallel to
0,4 kV
the system, for all three different cases are shown on
Load
MT1 - Power Measurement ION 7650
MT2 - Power Measurement ION 7650
MT3 - Power Measurement ION 7650
figure 4.
MAX
1,6 MW
Measurement results in MT3 for different generator operating points

Fig. 1. Measuring points in distribution power system 1,8

MT3 - Generator production 1,9 MW
with connection of Etan refinery
1,6
MT3 - Generator production 0,3 MW

Measurement results of harmonics (peak value in

1,4
MT3 - Generator production 0 MW

percentage of nominal voltage) on the 35 kV bus in

1,2
% Un

substation Ivanic Grad (MT1) in case when Etan is 1

working parallel to the system, for all three different 0,8

cases: with power generation of 1,9 MW, with power 0,6

generation of 0,3 MW and with power generation of 0 0,4

MW are shown on figure 2. 0,2

0
THD 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Harmonic order
Measurement results in MT1 for different generator operating points

1,8
MT1 - Generator production 1,9 MW
Fig. 4. Measurement results of harmonics on the 10 kV
1,6
MT1 - Generator production 0,3 MW
bus in Etan refinery (MT3) for three different cases
1,4
MT1 - Generator production 0 MW

1,2
Harmonic measurement results analysis was carried out
according to international standards and technical reports
% Un

0,8
regarding power quality in distribution networks at
0,6
medium voltage level and low voltage level [1] and [2].
0,4
The comparison with limits that are given for harmonics
in international standards and technical reports was made
0,2
for every measurement point.
0
THD 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Harmonic order
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Measuring period according to EN 50160 [1] should be
one week, and 95% maximum weekly value of
harmonics should not exceed limits given in EN 50160.
Fig. 2. Measurement results of harmonics on the 35 kV The exception for this measurement is length of
bus in substation Ivanic Grad (MT1) for three different measuring period that was less then one week, because
cases operation process that is not economically justified.
Maximum measured values were compared with those
given in the norm (maximum 95% weekly values were Calculation results in MT1 for different generator operating points

not accessible). Maximum measured values were much 2

lower then limits given in the EN 50160. 1,8

MT1 - Generator production 1,9 MW

1,6
MT1 - Generator production 0,3 MW

1,4
MT1 - Generator production 0 MW
3. Calculation 1,2

% Un
1

Harmonic analysis was carried out using ETAP Power 0,8

Station simulation software. 0,6

Simulation model for harmonic analysis of the 0,4

distribution power system with connected Etan refinery is 0,2

shown on figure 5. 0

In case when Etan is working parallel to the system,

THD 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Harmonic order

calculations were made for three different situations: with

power generation of 1,9 MW (more than Etan’s
consumption), with power generation of 0,3 MW (less
than Etan’s consumption) and with power generation of
0 MW (all consumption is covered by the distribution
system).
An indispensable precondition while carrying out
calculation of harmonic propagation in power systems is
good knowledge of the system parameters. Simulation
model was made with data that was available at the time,
while remaining data was assumed.
Data that was used for the calculation was partially
Fig. 6. Simulation results of harmonics on the 35 kV bus
in substation Ivanic Grad (MT1) in three different cases
Simulation results of harmonics (in percentage of
nominal voltage) on the 10 kV bus in substation Ivanic
Grad – on secondary transformer winding (MT2) in case
of Etan working parallel to the system, for all three
different cases are shown on figure 7.
Calculation results in MT2 for different generator operating points
2

known and partially estimated. 3-phase and 1-phase short

1,8
circuit power on 35 kV bus in substation Ivanic Grad was MT2 - Generator production 1,9 MW

known from short circuit calculations. Data for three

1,6
MT2 - Generator production 0,3 MW

winding power transformer in Ivanic Grad, cable Etan 2,

1,4
MT2 - Generator production 0 MW

generator in Etan and power transformers in Etan were 1,2

% Un

known from the manufacturer. Estimated data was the 1

load that is connected to the tertiary winding of power 0,8

transformer in substation Ivanic Grad, and the load in 0,6

Etan. 0,4

0,2

0
THD 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Harmonic order

Fig. 7. Simulation results of harmonics on the 10 kV bus

in Etan refinery (MT2) in three different cases

Simulation results of harmonics (in percentage of

nominal voltage) on the 10 kV bus in Etan refinery
(MT3) in case of Etan working parallel to the system, for
all three different cases are shown on figure 8.

Calculation results in MT3 for different generator operating points

1,8
MT3 - Generator production 1,9 MW

1,6
MT3 - Generator production 0,3 MW

1,4
MT3 - Generator production 0 MW

1,2
% Un

0,8

Fig. 5. Simulation model for harmonic analysis in 0,6

distribution power system with connection of Etan 0,4

0,2

Simulation results of harmonics (in percentage of 0

nominal voltage) on the 35 kV bus in substation Ivanic

THD 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Harmonic order

Grad (MT1) in case of Etan working parallel to the Fig. 8. Simulation results of harmonics on the 10 kV bus
system, for all three different cases are shown on in Etan refinery (MT3) in three different cases
figure 6.

4. Conclusion
Simulation results of harmonic analysis were compared
with harmonic measurement results, at all three
measuring points and for all three different cases: with
power generation of 1,9 MW, with power generation of
0,3 MW and with power generation of 0 MW in refinery
Etan. Both results of measurements and of simulations
are within the limits given by EN 50160.
Measurement results for voltage total harmonic distortion
are consistent with values of the simulation for all three
measuring points. There are small differences between
results (measurement results are greater than simulation
results) but all values are relatively small for distribution
power system (according to EN 50160 the limit for THD
is 8 %).
In both cases at all three measuring points, minimal
values of THD appear when the power generation is
1,9 MW, and maximal THD appears when power
generation is 0 MW.
Individual voltage harmonic values for all three
measuring points differ from values of the simulation.
Differences in measurement and simulation results are
present due to the lack of data. It is obvious that
parameters of transformers, cables and lines are exactly
known. The load in the system however is subject to
changes and cannot be represented exactly in
calculations. Variation of the load, which is normal in
power systems, is seen as an important part in the
analysis. With good knowledge of the load connected to
the part of power system, which is being observed and
individual specifications, model for the simulation can be
more detailed and therefore give better simulation results.
References
[1] EN 50160: 1999, Voltage characteristics of
electricity supplied by public distribution systems.
[2] IEC/TR 61000-3-6: 1996, Electromagnetic
compatibility (EMC)- Part 3:Limits - Section 6:
Assessment of emission limits for distorting loads in
MV and HV power systems – Basic EMC
publication.
[3] Power Measurement – ION 7650 user guide,
www.eliteas.com/pml/PMLACFILES/7550_7650_
userguide.pdf
[4] Etap – PowerStation help manual, www.etap.com.