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In recent years, integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems into distribution networks has been increasing rapidly, as it has become the most promising renewable energy source (RES) in the transition of power generation from centralised to decentralised systems. With the power electronic (PE) interfaces that use high-frequency internal switching, all renewable energy sources are considered to be harmonic emitters, especially near switching frequencies, i.e., above 2 kHz. This paper evaluates the behaviour of high-frequency harmonics in the 2–20 kHz range due to the parallel operation of multiple solar PV inverters connected to a low-voltage (LV) network. The circulation current component that flows within the installation due to the low impedance paths at higher frequencies is analysed. Summation of high-frequency harmonic currents is observed with phase diversity analysis. The circulating current component can become 14 times higher than the grid current component at higher frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

It is widely recognised that improving the visibility and controllability of distributed energy resources (DERs) within electricity distribution networks will have significant benefits, particularly for the management of low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV) networks. Much work within the electricity distribution industry is currently focused on improving the visibility of DERs on LV networks. From a control-theoretic perspective, this enables closing the loop between the DER and the control room and enables a shift towards utilising data-driven model-based control strategies for DERs. The result is a system-wide performance that is closer to the theoretical optimal. In the Australian context, several jurisdictions are trialling techniques such as dynamic operating envelopes to enhance DER hosting capacity, using IEEE 2030.5-based architectures, with the implementation of distributed energy resource management (DERMS) systems at the enterprise level still quite limited. While there is significant activity focused on DER behaviour and control techniques by way of inverter grid codes and standards, the core issue of interoperability with distribution management systems (DMSs), market operators or participants, electric vehicles (EVs) or other DERs is still a work in progress. Importantly, this is also an impediment to realising distributed architectures for DER control in the grid. The unique characteristics of Australian distribution networks highlights several challenging problems for DER control and management. The objective of this paper is to provide a broad overview of DER control and management strategies in the Australian context, with an application focus on DER control in distribution network management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the outcomes of laboratory evaluation of the performance of a sample of LED lighting systems (lamp/driver and dimmer combinations) in presence of audio frequency injection control (AFIC) signals used by electricity distribution system network service providers (DNSPs) for control of certain loads. The testing presented in this study has been undertaken in response to a significant number of customer complaints that have been received by DNSPs related to the performance of LED lighting systems with dimmers incorporated. In a number of cases, performance issues have been verified in the field to occur during periods where AFIC signaling voltages are present in the electricity distribution network. In order to determine the contributing factors that AFIC signaling may have on the performance of the LED lighting system, a light-based flicker evaluation testing system has been developed to investigate LED lighting system performance under controlled conditions. One of the main objectives of the study was to use light-based flicker indices to identify the effect on different combinations of LED lamps/drivers and dimmers by varying the voltage magnitude and frequency of the AFIC signal as well as the position (i.e., voltage output) of the dimmer. Visual observations were also carried out to investigate the correlation between measured flicker indices and visually observed flicker. This paper presents the test results that have been analyzed in terms of types of technologies used in LED lamp/driver and the variables in the AFIC signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale renewable energy plants, flexible AC (alternating current) and high voltage DC (direct current) transmission systems, and modern consumer devices utilize power electronics that tend to increase harmonic emissions. Furthermore, such emissions are nowadays known to exceed the traditional 2 kHz range typically considered for harmonic analysis. However, the accuracy of such harmonic measurements in medium and high voltage networks is questionable due to the lack of accuracy specifications for the respective instrument transformers that are being used in the measurement chain. Therefore, the motivation of this study is to review the existing techniques for measuring high-frequency voltage harmonics, i.e., those in the range 2–9 kHz, in medium-, high-, and extra high-voltage electricity networks, where most large-scale power electronic converters are being connected. Different transducer types are compared in terms of measurement accuracy. The reviewed literature indicates that some transducers can introduce errors due to their nonlinearities. The study also identifies the limitations of calibrating these transducers at frequencies above 2 kHz due to the unavailability of suitable sources capable of generating the required test waveforms. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the necessity for establishing accuracy limits for harmonic measurements above 2 kHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 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]

Developing user-friendly learning platform tailored to illustrating the integrative nature of specific subjects can be very effective in enhancing the involvement of students in the classroom. The focus of this paper is twofold; first, highlighting a specific project from a teaching perspective for the design and implementation of a multipurpose experimental test facility for plug-in electric vehicle, renewable energy and energy storage management in the smart grid context. Second, proposing the application of this project as an interactive tool to assist in demonstrating the system behaviour, when teaching the new emerging subjects in power engineering courses particularly, Smart Grid. Indeed, the scope of the test facility with the developed simulation tool is specially structured and oriented to education, training and research studies, where problem-based learning can be easily implemented. The electrical test hardware in this design can be operated independently as a multipurpose experimental setup for plug-in electric vehicle. In addition, it can also be interconnected with a small size wind or photovoltaic system to facilitate a complete hybrid integrated platform for testing and model verification. A variety of illustrative examples are presented to show the features of the test facility with its operation and how the components of this facility were selected. Additionally, several test scenarios are depicted using the developed simulation tool, which cover the assessment of grid integration with its components in the event of unforeseen circumstances. A recommendation that can be drawn from this paper is to motivate academics who are actively involved in conducting research on smart grid, to make use of their hardware or software designs in the process of teaching and learning so that undergraduate students can get the opportunity of observation and experimentation. In this sense, suggestions for future work are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low voltage devices connected to public electricity supply networks can be subjected to a wide range of voltage quality, including sustained overvoltage. Assessing the impact of sustained overvoltage on devices connected to the distribution network is important in determining the appropriate variance of standard voltage levels without unduly impacting the utility and customers from a technical and economic perspective. Therefore, a clear understanding of the impact that sustained overvoltage has on the lifetime of the connected equipment is a necessary task. This paper investigates the impact of sustained overvoltage through a series of accelerated-life testing experiments on a custom designed test device representative of a common interface between the power supply and distribution network, a switch mode power supply. The switch mode power supply with combined rectifier and filtering capacitor represents one of the most common front ends of LV equipment in modern appliances, and the work here concentrates on the impact of overvoltage on capacitor ageing. The results of the testing indicate that there is an accelerated ageing impact correlated with the applied voltage magnitude. Furthermore, analysis shows that mismatches between appliance voltage rating and sustained network voltage, leading to accelerated ageing, may result in premature device failure without the consumer being aware of the root cause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voltage fluctuations caused by rapidly changing loads, such as arc furnaces, can propagate to different parts of a power system. Although the flicker level at its origin can be high, levels that are measured at other sites are subject to attenuation, a process that is influenced by fault levels, transformer impedances, line impedances, and composition of the connected loads. This paper presents the methodology, measurement results, and data analysis in relation to synchronized flicker measurements carried out in a high-voltage (HV)/medium-voltage (MV) power system which contains an arc furnace supplied by a dedicated feeder connected to the HV busbar. The flicker transfer coefficients derived from measurement results clearly indicate that flicker transfer from the arc furnace site to the upstream HV busbar is governed by the fault levels at the two locations. However, the transfer of flicker from the upstream HV busbar to other downstream busbars is dependent on the downstream load composition. These flicker transfer coefficients are vital in the application of methodologies described in many reports and standards in relation to establishing planning levels at various voltage levels and in the allocation of flicker emission to customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring of voltages and currents at system buses gives the network operators information about the performance of their network, both for the system as a whole and for individual locations and customers. There is also demand from the customers and the regulatory agencies to provide information on the actual power-quality (PQ) level. Developments in enabling technology have made it possible to monitor at a large scale and to record virtually any PQ parameter of interest. While many network operators are installing monitoring equipment and while more and more monitors are available, there is a lack of knowledge and agreement on a number of aspects of the monitoring process and on processing the recorded data. As a response to this lack of uniformity in approach, data acquisition, and processing, in February 2011, CIGRE and CIRED established the Joint Working Group C4.112: “Guidelines for Power quality monitoring—measurement locations, processing and presentation of data.” In order to identify the current international industry practice on PQ monitoring, the group carried out a survey in 43 countries across the world. This paper summarizes the key findings from 114 responses to the questionnaire and identifies prevalent industrial practice in PQ monitoring around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• High frequency (HF) emissions are a new power quality concern. • Photovoltaic (PV) inverters are major HF emission sources. • No PV inverter models suitable for HF studies are found in current literature. • A generic method is proposed to develop black box models of PV inverters for HF studies. • The models developed have less than 6.5% errors with 95% confidence. There is a growth of high frequency (HF) emissions in the range of 2–150 kHz (also known as Supraharmonics) in electricity distribution networks, primarily due to the increasing number and capacity of AC grid connected equipment having power electronic interfaces. Although PV inverters are a major HF source in electricity distribution networks, PV inverter models that are suitable for HF emission studies are yet to be developed. To this end, a generic method that can be used to develop HF models of small-scale (<5 kW), grid-tied, single-phase PV inverters using a black box approach is presented in this paper. Accordingly, HF models of three PV inverters that are commonly used in domestic and commercial installations are developed assuming standard network conditions. It is shown that these HF models are capable of successfully capturing the HF performance of the selected PV inverters under a wide range of operating conditions. The outcomes of this work are expected to broaden the knowledge pertaining to the HF emissions in the frequency range considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]