Unit- 5

CO-5 Understand operation and importance of power quality in smart grid.

The Smart Grid is increasingly seen as a means to facilitate climate friendly renewable energy
sources (renewables), and as a way to enable efficient use of electricity. For example, modern
electrical networks can link wind- and solar power with electric cars. A consequence of Smart
Grid is a drastic increase in use of electronics in the power system. This makes the satisfactory
function of electrical and electronic equipment vital for realization of a robust Smart Grid. This
paper focuses on the satisfactory function of equipment for Smart Grid with respect to
electromagnetic disturbances, i.e. EMC – Electromagnetic Compatibility including Power
Quality. Finally, a framework for the apportioning of responsibilities between network operators
and the parties being responsible for the connection of equipment is proposed.

I. SMART GRID – ENABLING GREEN ENERGY

A. European Union Outlook

The European Union, EU, is committed to reducing its overall carbon dioxide emissions to at
least 20 % below 1990 levels by 2020. It has also set itself the target of increasing the share of
renewables in energy use to 20 % by 2020 [1]. Electricity is obviously of great importance for
renewables in terms of e.g. solar and wind power generation, but also for transformation of the
car fleet into electrical propulsion.

The European Union SmartGrids Technology Platform vision and strategy for Europe’s
Electricity Networks of the Future was launched in 2006 [2]. The Smart Grid vision is aiming for
“new products, processes and services, improving industrial efficiency and use of cleaner energy
resources while providing a competitive edge for Europe in the global market place”.
Furthermore, Smart Grid is seen as an important element for achieving the largest knowledge-
based economy in the world and also helping to improve daily life of ordinary citizen.

This paper was invited and presented at the IEEE Sponsored Conference EPQU’09 – Electrical
Power Quality and Utilisation Conference 2009 in Lodz, Poland, 15-17 September 2009.

Clearly, the Smart Grid vision is highly important as a means to support the EU environmental as
well as economical ambitions. Within Smart Grid there are a number of technologies involved:
renewables such as solar and wind, electric cars, and transmission system power flow control
equipment. Also it can be expected an increased use of digital communication and control
including smart metering and advanced grid wide area real-time monitoring.

One example of Smart Grid application is the possibility of charging electric car batteries during
hours with a surplus of low cost renewable energy. When electricity price is high, electric cars
may feed energy back to the electrical network. This can be achieved using a continuous transfer
of electricity price information with automatic control of the power flow to and from the electric
cars. The term Smart Grid is then enabling a Smart Electrical System – the entire power system
with networks as well as connected equipment converting between electrical energy and other
forms of useful energy.
B. United States of America Outlook

The Obama administration recently announced availability of $ 3,9 Billion to invest in Smart
Grid technologies and electric transmission infrastructure [3]. The initiative is part of the
recovery act related to the financial crisis and funding is made to create jobs and to help
modernize nation’s electric grid.

In an earlier Smart Grid announcement from the Obama administration [4], it was stated that
“Before it can be constructed, however, there needs to be agreement on standards for the devices
that will connect the grid”.

C. International Standardisation Activities

According to IEC – International Electrotechnical Commission, “Smart Grid is the concept of

modernizing the electric grid. The Smart Grid is integrating the electrical and information
technologies in-between any point of Generation and any point of Consumption.” [5]. This
definition was an outcome of a meeting in late April 2009 gathering experts from a broad range
of countries and expertise in a strategic group for Smart Grid. The strategic group identified 19
IEC technical committees with published international standards that play a role in the Smart
Grid structure. Recently IEC opened a Smart Grid web portal [6]. Standardization is indeed a
vital part of realization of Smart Grid technologies.

The IEEE – Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is also active in the development of
Smart Grid technologies [7].

II. SMART GRID ROBUSTNESS AND VULNERABILITY

Smart Grid opens up the opportunity for an evermore sophisticated electrical system containing
lots of electronic devices both controlling the power flow itself, so called power electronics, and
electronics controlling the power electronics and other devices. A power system based on Smart
Grid has naturally a tremendous number of computers for information exchange and control.

The electricity dependency of our society has been and is steadily increasing. Smart Grid will
impose electricity even more as a fundamental of modern civilization, at least technically.
Virtually no essential societal infrastructure can function properly without electricity.
Considering that importance, vulnerability of Smart Grid is a most relevant concern [8].

EMC AND VOLTAGE QUALITY IN SMART GRID

A. EMC – Electromagnetic Compatibility

The physical characteristic of Smart Grids technologies with an increased incorporation of

potentially sensitive electronics has naturally implications with respect to Electromagnetic
Compatibility – EMC. The satisfactory function of electrical and electronic equipment with
respect to electromagnetic disturbances is the aim of EMC. The IEC – International
Electrotechnical Commission [14] defines Electromagnetic Compatibility as “the ability of an
equipment or system to function satisfactorily in its electromagnetic environment without
introducing intolerable electromagnetic disturbances to anything in that environment”. In the
European Union EMC Directive [15] “equipment and system” of IEC corresponds to the EU
term equipment, where equipment is subdivided into apparatus and fixed installation. See also
[16].

Electromagnetic disturbances may be radiated or conducted and electrical/electronic equipment

potentially sensitive to any or to both of these types of disturbances. Disturbances are in turn
subdivided into a number of low and high frequency phenomena, where IEC defines low
frequency up to and including 9 kilohertz.

B. Relation between Voltage Quality and EMC

Both IEC and EU define EMC to cover electromagnetic phenomena from zero hertz.
Furthermore the IEC defines the following principal electromagnetic conducted phenomena [17]:

 Conducted low-frequency phenomena:

 Harmonics, interharmonics
 Signals superimposed on power lines
 Voltage fluctuations
 Voltage dips and interruptions
 Voltage unbalance
 Power frequency variations
 Induced low frequency voltages
 DC component in AC networks

Conducted high-frequency phenomena:

 Induced voltages or currents

 Unidirectional transients
 Oscillatory transients

Voltage Quality can be seen as an umbrella name for deviations from ideal voltage conditions at
a site in a network [18]. This is equivalent to electromagnetic disturbances of the voltage at the
site. With no disturbances the Voltage Quality is perfect, otherwise not. Electromagnetic
disturbances are defined as electromagnetic phenomena that may degrade the performance of
equipment [19].

Adequate Voltage Quality contributes to the satisfactory function of electrical and electronic
equipment in terms of Electromagnetic Compatibility. Electromagnetic disturbances as imperfect
Voltage Quality at a site in a network can be regarded as electromagnetic emission from the
network [20]. According to the EMC Directive network is equipment. This is in line with the
original name of IEC Technical Committee (TC) 77 which was “EMC between electrical
equipment including networks”; now simply EMC [21].

The technical function of an electrical network is electromagnetic energy transfer with adequate
Voltage Quality at its sites, i.e. at connection points. Similarly, immunity of an electrical network
can be seen as the ability to absorb disturbing emissions such as distorted current with adequate
Voltage Quality while transferring energy, i.e. with satisfactory function. For e.g. low order
harmonics and voltage fluctuations, network strength is relevant for network immunity [22],
[23]. Geomagnetically induced current caused by space weather is another example of
electromagnetic immunity relevant to an electric grid [24] to keep its function satisfactory.

The importance of Voltage Quality to achieve EMC is clearly stated in a report from CEER –
Council of European Energy Regulators [25]: “Due to the nature of electricity, voltage quality is
affected by all the parties connected to the power system. When voltage quality is too poor, a key
question is whether the disturbance (e.g. a harmonic disturbance) from a customer’s installation
in to the power system is too big or whether the power system (the short circuit power) at the
point of connection is too weak. The aim should be to have an electromagnetic environment
where electrical equipment and systems function satisfactorily without introducing intolerable
electromagnetic disturbances to other equipment. This situation is referred to as electromagnetic
compatibility (EMC).”

C. Field Experiences with Smart Grid Technology

Examples of lack of EMC in relation to evolving Smart Grid technologies have been reported in
Sweden. Kilowatt-hour meters in households sending data signals on the power lines have
caused interference with e.g. dimmer controlled lamps and electrical appliances. There are also
cases reported where electrical apparatuses in households have interfered with electronic
kilowatt-hour meters with adverse errors in registration of energy. Power electronics in wind
power plants have emitted disturbances interfering with transfer of kilowatt-hour meter readings
as signals on power lines.

Power electronic based photovoltaic solar and wind energy equipment may emit disturbances
causing e.g. voltage fluctuations and unbalance [26]. However, with a proper design such
equipment may well improve Voltage Quality, e.g. reducing depth of voltage dips [27].

IV. EMC DIRECTIVE AND ELECTRICAL NETWORKS

The preamble (14) of the EMC Directive 2004/108/EC of European Union [15] reads: “(14)
Manufacturers of equipment intended to be connected to networks should construct such
equipment in a way that prevents networks from suffering unacceptable degradation of service
when used under normal operating conditions. Network operators should construct their
networks in such a way that manufacturers of equipment liable to be connected to networks do
not suffer a disproportionate burden in order to prevent networks from suffering an unacceptable
degradation of service. The European standardization organizations should take due account of
that objective (including the cumulative effects of the relevant types of electromagnetic
phenomena) when developing harmonized standards.”

This means that both parties responsible for networks (being equipments) as well as for
equipment connected to networks are supposed to contribute to EMC
. Power Quality issues of Grid connected Renewable Energy Sources

Grid-connected renewable energy sources (RES) can cause power quality issues due to their
intermittent and fluctuating nature. These issues can include:
 Voltage regulation
The intermittent nature of renewable energy sources can cause rapid voltage
changes, which can wear out voltage regulators and lead to voltage flicker.
 Harmonics
Power conditioning devices like inverters can inject harmonics into the
distribution network, which can degrade power quality.
 Sub-harmonics
Sub-harmonic currents can be caused by series capacitors used to adjust
transmission lines. These can create safety issues for distance relays.
 Electromagnetic interference
The high switching frequency of PV inverters can cause electromagnetic
interference with neighboring circuits.
 Excessive reverse power flow
Reverse power flow can lead to over voltages along distribution feeders.
Other power quality issues include: Fault ride through, Low voltage ride through (LVRT), High
voltage ride-through (HVRT), Phase imbalance, and Low power factor.
To address these issues, custom power devices (CPDs) can be used in the distribution
system. For example, a FACTS-based distributed power flow controller (DPFC) can mitigate
power quality issues by compensating for voltage sag, swell, and current harmonics.

The Effects of Renewable Energy on Power Quality in the Grid

The usage of renewable energy has increased substantially in the last few years, with more and
more people switching from traditional electricity generation to renewable sources such as solar
and wind power. This shift could be a positive one if it leads to lower costs and improved
environmental sustainability, but there are also some side effects that many have yet to consider.
The potential negative impact of renewable energy on power quality may even offset some of the
positive benefits, especially in the case of solar power systems that generate strong harmonic
distortion in the grid's electrical current.

In this blog post, we're going to discuss renewable energy and its effects on power quality. This
will be accomplished by addressing total harmonic distortion (THD), it's importance to electric
power quality, and how it can affect power systems when using renewable sources. As you read
through this post, please keep in mind that THD is a measurement of the amount of harmonic
frequencies present in a sinusoidal electric current that are not at the fundamental frequency.

What is Power Quality?

Power quality is a measure of the stability and predictability of an electric power supply. In
particular, it measures how much distortion is present in a given power signal. Distortion can
come from several different sources, including voltage fluctuations, frequency variations
(including those caused by phase angle changes), harmonics (which are multiples of fundamental
frequencies), and so-called static non-linear distortion. The total harmonic distortion
measurement is one way to quantify this type of power quality issue.

Why is Power Quality important?

Power quality is important because it is a measure of the distortion present in a power system,
caused by disturbances such as sags, swells, and spikes. The amount of total harmonic distortion
that occurs in the grid can be attributed to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind
power. These sources are intermittent, meaning that they do not generate electricity uniformly
over time. This inconsistency can have a negative effect on power quality if not managed
correctly.

How does Renewable Energy affect the Power Quality?

Renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, has had a profound

impact on the grid. One way that renewable energy affects power quality is by increasing voltage
fluctuations in some areas. In other words, when there's an overabundance of renewable energy
at some points, voltage may spike or dip more than normal. This issue could lead to increased
frequency and duration of blackouts.

The four types of Harmonics

Distortion in the grid can come from all kinds of cyclic harmonics and temporary events like
inrush surge or lightning strike.

Harmonics are current- or voltage components with an integer multiple of the fundamental
frequency, such as the second, third, fourth, etc. For instance, the first harmonic (50 Hz) is the
fundamental frequency when the power grid has 50 Hz AC. The second harmonic (100 Hz), third
harmonic (150 Hz), fourth harmonic (200 Hz), and so on are further multiples of the fundamental
harmonic. The resultant waveform when these harmonics are present in a circuit is the sum of the
fundamental and higher harmonics at every moment.
(We can see later, that harmonics don't need to be mandatory integer.)

Now we can classify four main types of harmonics contributing to the THD. The graphs show:

 Blue colour: fundamental wave

 Green colour: harmonic wave(s)

 Red colour: resulting waveform (fundamental + harmonics)

 Power quality conditioners (PQCs)

Power quality conditioners (PQCs) are devices used in smart grids to improve the quality of
power delivered to loads. They are important for integrating renewable energy and ensuring
loads function properly. Some common types of PQCs include:
 Unified power quality conditioner (UPQC): A combination of series and shunt active filters
that can mitigate multiple power quality disturbances at once.
 Distribution static compensator (DSTATCOM): Regulates voltage and compensates for
reactive power.
 Active power filter: Compensates for harmonics and reactive power.
Power quality refers to how well the electricity delivered to electrical equipment matches the
desired characteristics. It's an important aspect of electrical power distribution and
consumption. Power quality can be affected by voltage variations, harmonic distortions, and
transient disturbances.
Other ways to improve power quality include:
 Improving the power grid supply voltage level
 Constructing lines with large load groups
 Adopting decentralized power generation technology near sensitive loads
 A power quality conditioner is nothing but a device used in smart grid networks for
maintaining power quality characteristics within the specified limits. The primary
function of power quality conditioners is to improve the quality of power delivered to the
electrical load equipment.
 Power quality conditioners improve the power quality in smart grid systems by reducing
various disturbances and improving the overall performance of the networks. These
devices are essential for developing a stable and high-quality power supply system.
 In this chapter of smart grid tutorial, we will learn about power quality conditioners, their
functions, types, and advantages in the field of smart grid technology.
 What is a Power Quality Conditioner?
 In the context of modern electric grid or smart grid, a power quality conditioner is a
device designed and used for improving the quality of power delivered to the end-user’s
electrical load equipment. A power quality conditioner works by continuously monitoring
and regulating the electrical power supply flowing in the grid. It is capable in
automatically compensating the power quality issues like waveform distortion, voltage
sags/swells, harmonic distortions, interruptions, etc.
 Power quality conditioners are also known by other names like line conditioners or power
conditioners. Although, there is no official definition of the power quality conditioners,
but they are devices that can maintain the supply voltage within proper levels required for
proper functioning of load equipment.
 Some of the common examples of power quality conditioners include voltage regulators,
power factor correction devices, noise suppressors, transient impulse protectors, etc.
 Functions of Power Quality Conditioners
 In smart grid systems, the following are key functions of power quality conditioners −

 Power quality conditioners are provided to deliver voltage and current of the proper levels and
characteristics, so that the load equipment can function properly.
 Power quality conditioners improve the power transfer efficiency between utility grid and micro
grid.
 Power quality conditioners also isolate the utility grid and micro grid from their respective
disturbances and noises.
 Power quality conditioners provide seamless integration with distributed energy resources and
energy storage systems.

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Types of Power Quality Conditioners

The following are some most commonly used types of power quality conditioners −

 Distribution Static Compensators (DSTATCOM)

 Active Power Filters – Shunt, Series, and Hybrid
 Unified Power Quality Conditioners

Let us discuss about these different types of power quality conditioners in detail.

1. Distribution Static Compensator (DSTATCOM)

The distribution static compensator (DSTATCOM) is a voltage source converter based custom
power device designed to precisely regulate the system voltage. It is connected in parallel to the
distribution networks. The primary functions of DSTATCOM include voltage profile
improvement, reduced harmonics, and load compensation.

This power quality conditioner can also reduce the voltage dips and can improve the magnitude
and phase angle of the voltage by injecting active or reactive power into the grid.

Therefore, DSTATCOM can perform three different functions in smart grid networks which are
voltage regulation, reactive power compensation, and power factor correction. Additionally, it
can also reduce or eliminate the current harmonics.

The block diagram of the distribution static compensator is shown in the following figure −
 The voltage source converter of the DSTATCOM converts the direct voltage across the storage
device into a set of 3-phase AC output voltage. These voltages are in-phase and coupled with the
AC system through a coupling transformer. This arrangement allows the DSTATCOM to absorb
or generate controllable active and reactive powers.

2. Active Power Filters

Active power filters are advanced power electronic devices designed and used for power quality
conditioning. These devices are capable in providing compensation for harmonics distortion,
reactive power, and neutral current. Additionally, the active filters can also used for voltage
regulation, eliminate voltage flicker, and load balancing in a 3-phase system.

The active power filters offer dynamic compensation through continuous monitoring of the
electrical grid.

Depending on the configuration and application, the active power filters can be classified into the
following three types −

 Shunt Active Power Filter

 Series Active Power Filter
 Hybrid Active Power Filter

These three types of active power filters are explained here.

Shunt Active Power Filter

These active power filters are connected in parallel with the load as shown in the following
figure −

The shunt active power filters cancel out the harmonic currents by injecting equal-but-opposite
harmonic compensating currents into the electrical system. These power quality conditioners are
ideal for compensating all current related issues like reactive power compensation, power factor
improvement, current harmonics, and unbalance load compensation.

Series Active Power Filter

Series active power filters are used in smart grid networks to compensate power quality problems
caused by non-linear loads. These filters are connected in series with the load as shown in the
following figure −

The series active power filters work by generating a compensating voltage of the same frequency
as that of the voltage harmonic component that has to be cancelled out.
These active power filters are ideal for compensating all voltage related power quality issues like
voltage harmonics, voltage sags, voltage swells, or voltage flickers, in smart grid networks.

Hybrid Active Power Filter

Hybrid active power filters are those that combine both active and passive filter components in a
single circuit. The primary aim of designing hybrid active filters is to reduce the cost of static
compensation.

Passive filters are provided to cancel out the most relevant harmonics to the load, while the
active filters are used to improve the performance of the passive filters or to cancel out other
harmonic components.

3. Different Hybrid Topologies

Different hybrid topologies are shown in the following figures.

Hybrid Filter with Shunt Passive Filter and Shunt Active Filter

The following diagram shows the topology of a Hybrid Filter with Shunt Passive Filter and
Shunt Active Filter −

Hybrid Filter with Shunt Passive Filter and Series Active Filter

The following diagram shows the topology of a Hybrid Filter with Shunt Passive Filter and
Series Active Filter −
Hybrid Filter with Series Active Filter in Series with Shunt Passive Filter

The following diagram shows the topology of a Hybrid Filter with Series Active Filter in Series
with Shunt Passive Filter −

The main characteristics of these three hybrid filter topologies are summarized in the following
table −

Shunt Passive Series Active Filter

Shunt Passive Filter +
Filter + Shunt in Series with Shunt
Series Active Filter
Active Filter Passive Filter

PWM (Pulse
Width
PWM inverter with or
Modulation)
Power Circuit of PWM inverter without without or without
inverter with
Active Filter closed-loop current control. closed-loop current
closed-loop
control.
current
control.
 Current Harmonic
Main Aim of Active Voltage harmonic
harmonic compensation to
Filter compensation.
compensation. improve passive filter.

Reactive
Low protection of
power No harmonic current in active
active filters required
Advantages regulation and filter and commercial passive
and commercial
commercial filters.
passive filters.
active filters.

Compensation Over-current and no reactive No reactive power

Disadvantages
intervals. power control. control.

Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC)

Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC) is an advanced power electronic device that
combines both series active power filter and shunt active power filter in a single unit. Therefore,
it is capable in compensating the voltage and current disturbances and reactive power
simultaneously.

The hardware structure of the unified power quality conditioner is depicted in the following
figure.

In this type of power quality conditioner, the series active power filter compensates the source
voltage disturbances like voltage harmonics, voltage spikes and dips, etc. Whereas the shunt
active power filter compensates the load current disturbances like current harmonics, power
factor correction, reactive power, unbalance load currents, etc.

The shunt active power filter also provides control over the DC bus voltage to ensure the
compensation capability of the UPQC.
 Advantages of Power Quality Conditioners

Listed below are some major advantages of using power quality conditioners in smart grid
networks −

 Power quality conditioners reduce the voltage fluctuations and disturbances in the electrical
network and therefore improve the reliability of power supply.
 Power quality conditioners improve the power factor and minimize the energy losses in the grid.
This results in enhanced efficiency and reduced operating cost.
 Power quality conditioners improve the overall performance of power supply to comply with
standards of power quality.
 Power quality conditioners make the grid stable and reduce the risks of malfunctions of
equipment.

Power quality conditioners are important components of a modern smart grid system because
these make the system reliable and stable to meet the requirements of power quality standards.

The primary function of power quality conditioners is to compensate the power quality issues
like voltage disturbances, current harmonics, waveform distortions, poor power factor, and more
in the smart grids
 Web based Power Quality monitoring

Power quality monitoring has increasing role in deregulated electricity supply market.
Various utilities all over the world are collecting power quality data to provide a power quality
database as a source of benchmark. In deregulated electricity market utilities will be required to
provide reliability and power quality indices. Industrial and commercial customers are
increasingly getting affected by poor power quality problems. A real time power quality
monitoring will help to take some corrective actions. A web based, near real time power quality
monitoring system is necessary to provide such information, both locally and on Nation wide
basis to customer. This paper discusses the web based power quality monitoring system. The
entire system has been developed on Java technology. The power quality web based system
implemented allows user to access the power quality information and provides auto email
notification of the custom power quality report to specified user. The other facilities provided are
auto plotting of various RMS voltage variation events such as voltage sag and swell on ITIC or
user specified curve and facility of trending plot of total harmonic voltage and current distortion.
The proposed system will be useful to industrial customers and utilities.

Web based power quality monitoring is a multi-pronged approach to identifying analyzing.

power quality uses-

[Link] to identify the cause of power system disturbances.

[Link] to identify problem conditions before they cause interruptions or disturbances in some
cases.

[Link] for power quality monitoring are generally classified into Proactive approach.

[Link] to characterise the system performance.

[Link] to understand and thus match the system performance with customer needs

[Link] to characterise a specific problem.

[Link] short term monitoring at specific customers or at different loads.

 Need for Web Based Power Quality Monitoring System

There is need for permanent power quality monitoring system because of following
reasons:

1. With the increasing problems in electrical distribution system, there is a need to have
thorough power supply and distribution system monitoring and measurement before a solution is
proposed [13].

2. The well known problem of current harmonics must be monitored on a continuous

basis to ensure that, over a time, the incremental addition of loads does not cause excessive
heating that can lead to power loss, premature failure of transformer, capacitor etc [13].

3. Continuous tracing of power consumption and electrical quantities provide useful data
for planning future plant expansion and for ensuring that existing and future distribution feeder
are adequate [13].

4. To detect on continuous basis various symptoms of power quality such as harmonic

distortion, voltage dips, interruption, transient etc. The available data will help in taking remedial
action under power quality predictive maintenance philosophy before the problem causes any
damage to equipment.

5. Extrapolating the available power quality information, predictive analysis can be

performed to forecast specific breakdown conditions, like overheating of switch boards, current
surges, over voltage, voltage sags and fluctuations or to detect deterioration and PQ degradation.
Through early detection it is possible to take corrective action to rectify or retrofit the situation.

6. Availability of data base related to power quality and reliability indices to electricity
regulator and customers is one of the requirements in deregulated electricity market.

7. Availability of system wide data base on web at various voltage levels will help the
customer to decide specification of newly procured equipment to overcome incompatibility
issues.

8. Availability of system wide power quality data base on web will be useful for
manufacture of sensitive equipment to make required changes in design to make their equipment
compatible to existing electrical environment.

9. Availability of web base power quality and reliability indices of various utilities will
help the customer to choose the electric supply and utilities to offer differentiated services for
customer that have special requirement [7].
 A critical point of this architecture is the need to process the data obtained by
measurements performed simultaneously by all slave devices. The synchronization proposed was
by synchronization of clock of master and slave devices, but is expensive. The measured value of
indices was plotted with time. The analysis of all these indices performed by master unit leads
the evaluation of global index that provides on the test network considered, correct information
on the location of sources producing distortion and measurement of their effect on power quality.

Power quality meters only act as raw data acquisition system and power quality analyzer
performs all calculations and have analysis algorithm. According to author the proposed system
is very economical especially for large scale system, because the price of power quality meter
can be dramatically lowered in the proposed scheme. One of the draw back of this system is that
as the individual PQ meter transfers raw data, the communication burden will be heavy. But
according to authors current Ethernet communication technology will help to solve the problem
in near future. PQ monitoring algorithm that detects events and captures steady state trends.
Result of voltage sag waveform captured and waveform and harmonic components for current
harmonics are only presented.

Leandro Fabrico Auler etal [9], presented new protocols for monitoring power quality in
an industrial environment by means of Ethernet networks to perform a real time waveform
monitoring, allowing an oscilloscope like analysis. In reference [14], a system approach to power
quality monitoring for performance assessment is presented. The configuration complexity of a
PQ monitoring system depends primarily upon the number of instruments used to acquire the
information and number of people who need to utilize it. The simplest monitoring system could
be of self contained circuit monitor or device built in sensitive load. The real value of the
monitoring system is an automatic data downloading from the measuring instruments. RS 232
port is used to communicate with a number of monitors. Two way communications between
work station and monitors is becoming more and more important. A complete monitoring should
fully utilize the networking infrastructure.

Data can also down loaded from monitoring system by way of broad band modems, as
well as through internet or intranet connection. Access to the data base is given through
password. Another option for data access is to use the standard world wide browser to query a
database server. Customer can be given password to view summaries and reports via the internet.
The internet offers an effective vehicle for providing power quality monitoring as an enhanced
level of service. In reference [12], web based access to the power quality monitoring system is
presented. According to author the information from the power quality monitor should be
available immediately and conveniently and the best option available is to make the system
completely accessible via internet or intranet.

Theses systems are connected directly to the network with TCP/IP communications. With
such a system any one who needs data related to particular event or summarized performance
over a month can get access to the information. Ringo PK Lee etal [13], explained and
demonstrated the architecture of designing a web based multi channel power quality monitoring
system for a large network.

The various components of proposed system consist of following hardware components:

1. PQ monitoring instrument.

2. Modems for communications

3. Central server and workstation

4. UPS

5. Back up tape

6. GPS The captured data through power quality monitor is outputted to communication
network through a MODEM. The standard outputs of the meter include supply frequencies, RMS
voltage, RMS current, voltage harmonic spectrum and current harmonic spectrum up to the
127th harmonic current, crest factor, KW, KVA, KVAR, displacement power factor and total
power factor, phase angles at the fundamental component and at each harmonic component
would also be displayed.

The PQ meter measures and store the data then the data is transmitted to the central
system server through leased dial up line, customer intranet, Ethernet network or DSL modem.
The network is specially designed to be able to use various communication means, so that
different customer needs would be met. For very remote sites where communication network is
not available, wireless communication using GMS format or radio would be adopted. In
previously published literature the various facilities such as harmonic compliance, plotting
events on ITIC, SEMI F47 or customer specified voltage tolerance curve and selection of various
characteristics of specified power quality event are not provided. The work presented in this
paper provides all these facilities and is more user friendly.