Power quality is the part of the quality of supply concept that concerns the suitability of the voltage at the point of connection.
Power quality in the grid is regulated to ensure that electrical equipment operates as intended, and the grid is planned to meet power quality requirements. The development of more power-demanding and complex appliances with power electronics, along with increased renewable generation, creates challenges for power quality today, particularly due to existing challenges associated with weak distribution grids.
SINTEF Energy has participated in and led research projects related to power quality for more than 30 years. This work has included planning distribution grids to ensure good power quality, developing the Planning Handbook for Power Grids (Planboka), developing guidelines for the integration of distributed generation, and conducting socio-economic analyses of strengthening distribution grids to improve power quality.
Ongoing research projects focus, among other things, on the impact of new electrical appliances on power quality, including EV chargers, power-electronic devices, power tools, heat pumps, and other appliances with asynchronous motors. Research is also being conducted on the impact of local generation in low-voltage grids, primarily from solar PV inverters.
The rollout of advanced metering systems (AMS) provides grid companies with an opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of grid utilisation and power quality. Due to limitations related to meters, communications, and databases, research has been conducted into which data should be measured, which data should be stored, how the data can be utilised, and how it can be efficiently visualised to provide a complete overview of grid utilisation and power quality.
As new components are introduced into the power system, the ability to regulate voltage in the grid is increasing. Research is therefore also focused on how the new voltage regulation capabilities provided by distributed generation and new power-electronic solutions in distribution grids can be coordinated with existing voltage regulation systems in the transmission and regional grids.
SINTEF has also carried out work on earth-fault detection and classification, testing the switching capability of AMS meters, and a range of other topics related to power quality, building extensive expertise in the field over time. SINTEF has contributed significantly to the development of guidelines, standardisation work, and the public debate on grid management.
Over the years, SINTEF has also built up an extensive measurement database that supports research and activities related to the planning and assessment of power quality. SINTEF has laboratory facilities for advanced distribution-grid studies using line models, programmable inverters, distributed generation (DG) units, and more. Event-analysis tools have been developed for measurement data, and SINTEF has extensive experience using simulation software for power quality studies. Through internal expertise and collaboration with partners, SINTEF also maintains contact with leading research communities working on power system components that affect power quality.