Using True RMS Current Measurements to Estimate Harmonic Impacts of Multiple Nonlinear Loads in Electric Distribution Grids

Abstract

Currently, for analyzing harmonic impacts on voltage at a point of interest, due to multiple nonlinear loads, the literature recommends carrying out simultaneous and synchronized measurement campaigns in all suspicious points with the use of high cost energy quality analyzers that are usually not available at the customers’ facilities and very often also not at the electric utilities. To overcome this drawback this paper proposes a method of assessing the harmonic impact due to multiple nonlinear loads on the total voltage harmonic distortion using only the load current true RMS values which are already available in all customers’ installations. The proposed methodology is based on Regression Tree technique using the Permutation Importance indicator which is validated in two case studies using two different electrical systems. The first case study is to ratify the use of Permutation Importance to measure the impact factor of each nonlinear load in a controlled scenario, the IEEE-13 bus test system, using ATP simulation (Alternative Transient Program). The second is to apply the methodology to a real system, an Advanced Measurement Infrastructure System (AMI) implanted on a campus of a Brazilian University, using low cost meters with only true RMS current measurements. The results achieved demonstrated the feasibility of applying the proposed methodology in real electric systems without the need for additional investments in high-cost energy quality analyzers.

Modeling and Simulation of a Pi Controlled Shunt Active Power Filter for Power Quality Improvement Based on P-Q Theory

“…Nonlinear electrical devices constituted with power electronic switches are widely used in domestic and industrial applications in many utilities around the world [1,2]. These nonlinear loads like personal computers, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and arc furnaces create an impact on power quality, harmonic distortion, voltage fluctuations and noise [3,4,5].…”

Photovoltaic Source Powered Shunt Active Power Filter Optimized by Cuckoo Search Algorithm

“…Electrical appliances, which depend on the switches of power electronics, are widely used in household use such as computers, televisions, etc., lighting by fluorescent lamps, discharge lamps and dimmers, thus in industry such as variable speed drives, arc furnaces, welders, electrical transformer magnetic circuits [1][2][3] all have adverse effects on power quality by increasing the reactive power [4], reducing the lifetime of the devices and causing nuisance tripping, which leads to very significant economic losses. Several solutions are then proposed to solve these problems, including the implementation of appropriate filtering techniques, among which the parallel active filter which is capable of compensating both the current harmonics and the power factor.…”

Modeling and Simulation of a PI Controlled Shunt Active Power Filter for Power Quality Enhancement Based on P-Q Theory

“…Nonlinear electric appliances, which rely on power electronic switches, are widely used in the domestic and industrial utilization of every utility throughout the world [1,2]. The presence of nonlinear loads, such as personal computers, variable frequency drives (VFDs) and arc furnaces, gives rise to power quality problems, e.g., harmonic distortion, voltage fluctuation and noise [3][4][5].…”