POWER QUALITY

Chapter V

Distributed Generation and Power Quality

Introduction: Distributed generation refers to various technologies that generate electricity at the place
where it will be consumed, eg a small solar panel or mini wind turbine generator. Which are designed and
implemented for standalone usage. Distributed generation helps delivery of clean and green power apart
from the conventional means of power generation. In the residential sector common means of distributed
generation include solar panels, small wind turbine generators, natural gas fired fuel cells, emergency
backup generators etc. In the commercial and industrial sector the distributed generation may include
solar, wind, power generation by municipal solid waste, biomass combustion, fuel cells, hydro power etc.
Distributed generation is also emphasized as its generation is near to the load which reduces the line
losses and the cost of transmission. Also it is not affected by the conventional grid failures. Distributed
generation sources rely upon renewable sources of generation and hence promote cleaner and greener
tomorrow.

Fig: 5.1.1 Distributed Generation

 Fig 5.1.2 Conventional vs Distributed generation

5.2 Interface to Utility system

Various technical issues arise in the integration of the distributed generation to the utility system, there
are certain restrictions and economic aspects too which are to be considered. Technical issues related to
Power quality, harmonics, protection and control, reliability arise. A large scale of distributed generation
may affect grid function like its frequency.

Every source of distributed generation has its own problems and limitations like solar and wind sources
for power generation are unpredictable so there arise stability issues related to frequency and voltage.
These variations have an impact on the generation, load tap changers. Utilities should be well equipped
and capable for excess power generation during shortfall from wind and solar. Standby batteries can be
used to meet the deficit in power requirement but again the economic aspect arises.
 Fig 5.2: Distributed generation and its communication with Utility

5.3 Power Quality Issues

The most common Power quality problems are presented below with their description, causes and effects

1) Voltage Sag (Dip)

2) Short Term Interruptions
3) Long Term Interruptions
4) Voltage Swell
5) Voltage Spike
6) Harmonic distortion
7) Voltage Fluctuation
8) Voltage Unbalance
9) Noise

5.3.1 Voltage Sag (Dip)

Description: It is a short term voltage variation defined as a decrease to between 0.1 and 0.9 pu in
rms voltage or current at the power frequency for durations from 0.5 cycle to 1 min. The voltage
sags have adverse effects on the power system and the operating equipment’s. The IEC definition
for this phenomenon is ‘dip’. Sag is a preferred term in US power quality community.

Causes: Connection of heavy loads, Short circuit faults, starting of motors etc
Effects: Malfunction of Consumer equipments. Nuisance tripping, loss of electric machines

5.3.2 Short Term Interruptions

Description: Interruptions of electric supply from a few milli-seconds to a few seconds can be
termed as short term interruptions.

Causes: Opening and closing of protective devices, insulation failure, flashover etc

Effects: Tripping of protective devices, loss of data in processing equipments, stoppage of

sensitive devices like PCs, PLCs etc, VFDs etc

5.3.3 Long Term interruptions

Description: Total interruption of the electric supply for a span more than 2 seconds can be
termed as long term interruptions.

Causes: equipment failure in the power system, natural calamities, human error etc.

Effects: Complete stoppage of equipments.

5.3.4 Voltage Swell

Description: A swell is defined as the increase to between 1.1 and 1.8 pu in rms voltage or current
at the power frequency for durations from 0.5 cycle to 1 min.

Causes: Switching of heavy loads, poor regulation of transformers, lightning etc

Effects: Data loss, damage of sensitive equipments etc

5.3.5 Voltage Spike

Description: Immediate variation and rise in the voltage levels for period varying from
microseconds to a few milliseconds.

Causes: Lightning, switching of heavy loads, power factor correction etc

Effects: Electromagnetic interference, destruction of equipments etc

5.4.6 Harmonic distortion

Description: Harmonics are sinusoidal voltages or currents having frequencies that are integer
multiples of the frequency at which the supply system is designed to operate (termed the
fundamental frequency usually 50 or 60 Hz).

Causes: Use of electronic devices like PC’s, UPS, Inverters, rectifiers, renewable sources of
energy etc

Effects: Overheating, de-rating, errors in reading meters, nuisance tripping etc

5.4.7 Voltage Fluctuation
Description: Oscillation of voltage value, amplitude modulated by a signal with frequency of 0 to
30 Hz.

Causes: Arc furnaces, starting and stoppage of electric motors, switching of loads

Effects: Unsteadiness on human eye

5.4.8 Voltage Unbalance

Description: A voltage variation in a three phase system in which the three voltage magnitudes or
the phase differences between them are un equal.

Causes: Single phase loads,

Effects: Presence of negative sequence which are harmful for the Induction motors

5.4.9 Noise
Description: It can be termed as high frequency signals on the waveform of power system
frequency.

Causes: Electromagnetic interference, use of television, arc furnaces, microwaves etc

Effects: Disturbance on sensitive equipments, data loss etc

5.5 Operating Conflicts

Distributed generation is designed in such a way that the power flow is optimized in a
unidirectional way. Major concentration of distributed generation may lead to certain operating
conflicts. Distributed generation leads to the need of interconnection which may lead to increased
risk of equipment damage due to ferroresonant overvoltage’s. There is a need of increased co-
ordination between protective devices and concerns related to the operation and life of
transformers. Further there lies voltage regulation issues due to increased concentration on
Distributed generation. The issues related to over current protection, reduced insulation,
ferroresonance, re-closure, transformer connection, ground faults arise.

There has been substantial rise in the Distributed generation and will further rise over a few years,
as the penetration of DG increases it will also lead to increased operating conflicts. The DG
should adapt itself to the present system of power generation, transmission and distribution.
Rather DG can be more reliable but it will increase concerns related to Power quality. Solutions
to all the conflicts may be difficult but special engineering is the requirement for overcoming
such arising conflicts.

5.6 Interconnection standards

Interconnection standards define how distributed resources of generation can be connected to the
grid. Distributed Generation rely upon the concept of purchasing power during requirement and
selling the surplus power to the grid during excess availability. The IEEE 1547 standard is
related to the interconnection standards which establish criteria and requirement of distributed
resources with electric power systems. It provides a uniform standard for the interconnection of
distributed resources. It provides relevant requirement related to operation, testing, safety
considerations, and maintenance related to interconnection.
Further UL- 1741 also provides standards for inverters, converters, controllers and
interconnection system equipment for use with distributed energy resources.