Power Quality Analysis

Power Quality Overview

On Grid Engineering provides in-depth power quality analysis to identify, diagnose, and mitigate issues such as voltage sags, swells, transients, flicker, harmonics, and imbalances. Our goal is to ensure that electrical systems operate within acceptable parameters, protecting sensitive equipment, reducing downtime, and maintaining regulatory compliance.

By leveraging advanced monitoring tools, simulation software, and industry expertise, we deliver tailored solutions that enhance overall system reliability and performance.

Standards & Compliance

Power quality standards define the acceptable limits for electrical disturbances. Our services help clients comply with:

• IEEE 519: Harmonic Control in Electrical Power Systems
• IEEE 1159: Recommended Practices for Monitoring Electric Power Quality
• IEC 61000 Series: Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Standards
• EN 50160: Voltage Characteristics in Public Distribution Systems
• Local Utility Power Quality Requirements and Interconnection Agreements

Site Assessment & Baseline Monitoring

Our first step involves comprehensive baseline data collection and analysis to understand existing conditions and identify areas of concern:

• Power Quality Data Logger Deployment: Capturing voltage, current, and waveform data over extended periods.
• Transient Event Detection: Recording fast voltage spikes, surges, and dips that can damage equipment.
• Harmonic Profiling: Measuring total harmonic distortion (THD) and individual harmonic orders.
• Voltage Flicker Analysis: Assessing variations due to fluctuating loads or generation sources.
• Unbalance & Voltage Variation: Quantifying supply voltage and current unbalance percentages.

Harmonic Analysis & Mitigation

Harmonics can cause overheating, misoperation of protection devices, and reduced equipment life. Our harmonic services include:

• Harmonic Source Identification: Pinpointing nonlinear loads such as drives, inverters, and rectifiers.
• Harmonic Modeling & Simulation: Using software tools to predict harmonic injection and resonance points.
• Mitigation Strategies: Designing passive filters, active filters, tuned reactors, or use of K-factor rated transformers.
• Harmonic Resonance Studies: Preventing harmonic amplification at specific network frequencies.
• Continuous Monitoring Solutions: Implementing permanent harmonic monitoring for long-term compliance.

Transient & Surge Analysis

Transient overvoltages from lightning or switching can damage insulation and electronics. Our services include:

• Transient Modeling: Simulating switching operations, capacitor bank switching, and grounding events.
• Lightning Protection Coordination: Designing surge arresters, shielding, and proper grounding resistances.
• Surge Protection Device (SPD) Specification: Selecting Type 1, 2, or 3 SPDs for different installation points.
• Transient Recordings: Using oscilloscopes and PQ analyzers to capture fast voltage spikes.
• System Grounding Studies: Ensuring single point/grid grounding to minimize transient propagation.

Voltage Flicker & Light Flicker Evaluation

Flicker can cause visual discomfort and violate end-user standards. We offer:

• Flicker Severity Analysis: Measuring Pst and Plt indices as per IEC 61000-4-15.
• Source Contribution Studies: Identifying large fluctuating loads (e.g., arc furnaces, welding equipment).
• Mitigation Solutions: Installing static VAR compensators (SVC), active power filters, or adding inertia through BESS.
• Flicker Emission Testing: Verifying compliance for renewable generators and industrial loads.
• Continuous Flicker Monitoring: Deploying PQ meters for real-time flicker tracking in sensitive environments.

Power Factor Correction & Reactive Power Compensation

Poor power factor increases losses and utility penalties. Our services include:

• Capacitor Bank Design: Sizing fixed, switched, or automatic power factor correction (APFC) systems.
• Long & Short Cable Runs: Analyzing charging currents and reactive losses in cable sizing.
• Voltage Regulation Impact: Assessing how PF correction affects voltage profiles under varying loads.
• Harmonic Interactions: Coordinating capacitor banks with harmonic filters to avoid resonance.
• Real-Time PF Monitoring: Implementing PF controllers and SCADA integration for dynamic control.

Custom Mitigation & Remediation Solutions

Every site has unique PQ challenges. We tailor solutions such as:

• Hybrid Filtering: Combining passive and active filters for optimal harmonic suppression.
• Dynamic Voltage Support: Deploying STATCOM or SSSC for rapid voltage correction.
• Load Balancing Optimization: Redistributing single-phase loads to minimize unbalance.
• Isolation Transformers: Providing galvanic isolation to sensitive equipment.
• Customized Enclosures & EMI Shielding: Protecting sensitive electronics in noisy environments.

Monitoring, Reporting & Maintenance

Long-term PQ management requires ongoing attention. Our offerings include:

• Permanent PQ Meter Deployment: Installing meters at critical buses and feeders.
• Data Analytics & Trend Reporting: Generating periodic reports on THD, unbalance, and event logs.
• Predictive Maintenance: Using PQ data to forecast capacitor bank failures or filter degradation.
• Operator Training & Awareness: Educating staff on PQ indicators, standards, and mitigation best practices.
• Emergency Response Planning: Rapid on-call support for PQ events affecting critical operations.

Future-Proofing Power Quality

As grids evolve with higher renewable penetration and electrification, PQ challenges grow. On Grid Engineering stays ahead by:

• Assessing Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) Impact: Studying low-inertia grid scenarios and developing synthetic inertia solutions.
• Advanced Digital Filtering: Implementing algorithms within smart inverters for dynamic harmonic suppression.
• Integration with DERMS & ADMS: Coordinating distributed DERs for grid-support functions like volt-VAR control.
• Real-Time Adaptive Compensation: Using machine learning to adjust filters and VAR compensators on-the-fly.
• Standards Evolution Tracking: Keeping pace with evolving IEEE and IEC guidelines for high-penetration renewable grids.