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In Australia and many other countries, distribution network service providers (DNSPs) have an obligation to their customers to provide electrical power that is reliable and of high quality. Failure to do so may have significant implications ranging from financial penalties theoretically through to the loss of a license to distribute electricity. In order to ensure the reliability and quality of supply are met, DNSPs engage in monitoring and reporting practice. This paper provides an overview of a large long-running power-quality monitoring project that has involved most of Australia's DNSPs at one time or another. This paper describes the challenges associated with conducting the project as well as some of the important outcomes and lessons learned. A number of novel reporting techniques that have been developed as part of the monitoring project are also presented. A discussion about large-volume data management, and issues related to reporting requirements in future distribution networks is included. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Voltage rise caused by high levels of distributed generation is manifesting as voltage regulation challenges for many electricity network service providers. In this environment it would be ideal to reduce supply voltage magnitudes, however, many network operators are hesitant to do so due to concerns related to consumer appliance performance at reduced supply voltage magnitudes. Voltage regulation requirements are defined by network standards and network service providers must ensure voltages remain within specified limits. Through an evaluation of domestic appliance performance when supplied at various voltage magnitudes, this paper examines the impact of varying voltage levels on residential appliances. Equipment energy demand, operation and actuation were monitored for each applied voltage magnitude. While no equipment failures were recorded, appliance behaviour varied significantly with applied voltage magnitude. Individual appliance conservation voltage reduction (CVR) factors have also been established. The results highlight the importance of good voltage regulation and provide substantiated appliance performance figures for future studies. The outcomes of this paper allow electricity network service providers to understand the implications of supply voltage magnitude on domestic appliance performance, whether it be understating of the impact of higher voltage magnitudes caused by distributed generation or implications of reducing voltage magnitudes to provide headroom for distributed generation integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voltage dips are considered to be one of the costliest of all power quality disturbances due to their disruption of industrial and commercial operations. The ability to characterise the voltage dip performance of distribution networks has many benefits for industry. There is considerable potential for industry to make large economic gains if voltage dip behaviour can be better understood and planned for. To put strategies in place to deal with voltage dips, there is a need for extensive data collection and analysis so that correct planning decisions can be made. This study details the characteristics of voltage dip data which has been collected at low-voltage sites in Australia over a 9 year period. The data is displayed in a number of different formats to aid analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voltage dips are considered to be one of the costliest of all power quality disturbances due to their disruption of industrial and commercial operations. The ability to characterise the voltage dip performance of distribution networks has many benefits for industry. There is considerable potential for industry to make large economic gains if voltage dip behaviour can be better understood and planned for. To put strategies in place to deal with voltage dips, there is a need for extensive data collection and analysis so that correct planning decisions can be made. This study details the characteristics of voltage dip data which has been collected at low‐voltage sites in Australia over a 9 year period. The data is displayed in a number of different formats to aid analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ITI curve developed by the Information Technology Industry Council (USA) describes an AC input voltage envelope, which typically can be tolerated by most information technology (IT) equipment supplied by nominal 120 V 60 Hz electricity networks. Although the curve ostensibly applies only to IT equipment supplied at 120 V 60 Hz it is often used throughout the electricity supply industry, including at other nominal voltages and frequencies, without modification or consideration of applicability to provide an indication of the input voltage tolerance of a wide range of equipment. This paper details a preliminary study aimed at developing an ITI style curve to suit 230 V 50 Hz electricity networks. A range of domestic and industrial equipment has been tested to determine voltage sag susceptibility. Overall, results for domestic appliances show that equipment connected to the Australian 230 V 50 Hz electricity network has voltage sag immunity considerably better than that defined by the ITI curve. The same may be said for the majority of industrial equipment tested. As such, the suitability of the ITI curve in describing a sag immunity envelope for individual pieces of equipment connected to 230 V 50 Hz electricity networks is highly questionable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]