Power Quality

Training Courses

Utility Package

LPQIVES is co-financed by:

LPQIVES is a programme of:

LPQI is part of:

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 Module 10

Utility Package

1 INTRODUCTION
The aim of this module is to provide the user detailed overview of the aspects of power quality that
imply interaction with the utility. First an introduction to power quality will be given. Next the
following subjects will be discussed: frequency variations, voltage changes, quality of supply in the
electricity market, demand-side management (DSM), contracts for electricity supply, tariffs and
power quality and rational use of energy (RUE).

1.1 General aims

This module’s general aim is to provide the attendants the basic knowledge about the interaction
between the utility and its costumers: the consumers of electrical energy. This interaction can be
electrical, it can be by means of communication or by contracts.
The aim is achieved through 9 didactic sections, as follows:
− Section 1: Introduction to power quality
− Section 2: Frequency variations and control (part 1)
− Section 3: Frequency variations and control (part 2)
− Section 4: Voltage changes and control (part 1)
− Section 5: Voltage changes and control (part 2)
− Section 6: Quality of supply in the electricity market
− Section 7: Demand-side management
− Section 8: Contracts for electricity supply
− Section 9: Tariffs and power quality
− Section 10: Rational use of energy

1.2 Target groups

This module’s target group includes: designers, experts, installers, others, users, utility, and all
those who wish to expand their knowledge in utility-related aspects of power quality.

2 SPECIFIC AIMS AND TOPICS

The pathway of learning consists of a 2 days course, subdivided in sections (with different
duration), with these contents and related aims.

1st day
Contents Technical aspects of power quality: introduction, frequency variations, voltage
changes.
Aims The aim of the lessons of the first day is to discuss technical aspects of the
interaction between utilities and their customers. After a general introduction to
power quality, frequency variations and voltage changes in the supply network
are discussed.
2nd day
Contents Quality of supply in the electricity market, demand-side management, tariffs and
power quality, rational use of energy.
Aims On the second day, the subjects are less technical; more economic and market-
related.

Below there’s a detailed overview of the course contents.

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2.1 Pathway of learning flow chart

Time progression
(hours)

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3 COURSE DETAILED PROGRAM
General notes:
− each day there will be one coffee break (30 mins) which will divide the lesson in two parts no
longer than 2,5 hours;
− at the beginning of the course the lecturer will explain course aims and at the end he will verify
their fulfilment through a knowledge test;
− the course will be divided in theoretical and practical sections;
− at the end of the lessons, a user satisfaction survey will help the lecturer in monitoring the course
quality.

First day:

30 mins Participants registration and course introduction

60 mins Section 1: Introduction to power quality

− Utility-related aspects of power quality
Modality: Lesson

60 mins Section 2: Frequency variations and control (part 1)

− Basic terms and definitions
− Standards and regulations
− Tolerable frequency deviations for electrical loads
− Principles of frequency and power control in power systems (primary,
secondary and tertiary control, load shedding)
Modality: Lesson

30 mins Coffe break

45 mins Section 3: Frequency variations and control (part 2)

− Testing the quality of generation control (primary, secondary and tertiary)
− Controllability of the frequency
Modality: Lesson

60 mins Section 4: Voltage changes and control (part 1)

− Basic terms and definitions
− Standards and regulations
− Sources of disturbances (e.g. faults in power system, large load changes,
switching)
− Effects of disturbances
Modality: Lesson

45 mins Section 5: Voltage changes and control (part 2)

− Mitigation methods
− Voltage stability
− Voltage control (evaluation and optimisation of node voltages)
− measurement methods and devices
Modality: Lesson

Second day:

60 mins Section 6: Quality of supply in the electricity market

− Contracts for reliable, qualitative power supply

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 − Who is responsible for PQ, who has to invest: the supplier, the grid operator,
the customer?
− Is PQ affected by new market situations (liberalisation)?
Modality: Lesson

60 mins Section 7: Demand-side management (DSM)

− Goal of DSM: shifting and levelling consumption
− Tariffs: day/night, peak/off-peak, real-time prices, payments for consumption
reductions,…
− Utility signals
− Intelligent loads, responding to (real-time) economic signals
Modality: Lesson

30 mins Coffe break

60 mins Section 8: Contracts for electricity supply

− Contract types
− Consumption restrictions
− Load-shedding contracts
− Variable price
− Pre-pay contracts
− …
Modality: Lesson

60 mins Section 9: Tariffs and power quality

− Contracts and tariffs for reliable, qualitative power supply
− Reactive-power pricing
− Allowed emission levels
Modality: Lesson

60 mins Section 10: Rational use of energy (RUE)

− Methods and techniques
− Energy efficiency
− Demand-side management
− Efficient electricity production (renewables, CHP, distributed generation)
− Efficient loads: lighting, drives, heating, stand-by losses, buildings
− Impact on power quality
− Case studies
Modality: Lesson

60 mins Final discussion; end of the course; user’s questionnaire; knowledge test;
Confirmations of attendance

4 TEACHING METHODS
Teaching methods are summarized in three main moments:
− knowledge transfer (Lesson)
topics exposure by the lecturer with the help of slides and eventually other electronic tools
(animations, data sheets, didactic movies…);
− deepening/learning verification (Discussion)
general discussion stimulated by the lecturer (also during the lesson) to verify knowledge
transfer and to eventually deepen particular topics;
− practical training (and eventually laboratory activities)
group work (~ 6 persons/group) for topics deepening, practical problems solution and case
studies overview under the supervision of the lecturer.
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During all the sections, the lecturer will always attend, with teaching and/or activity coordination
duty.

5 DIDACTIC MATERIAL AND TOOLS

The didactic tools which will be used by the lecturers will be:
− Blackboard
− Video-projector
− Notebook
− Microphone

The lecture room will be suitable to allow the use of all the above listed didactic tools and to enable
group work for the attendants.

Each user will receive, during the registration, a folder containing:

− course program;
− lecture notes containing all or part of the lecture slides;
− LPQIVES knowledge database access personal key.

All this didactic material, and eventually some additional electronic tools, will be available also in
electronic format at: http://lpqi.org/custom/1036/
The folder will also include a user satisfaction questionnaire and a knowledge test (which will be
both filled and submitted at the end of the course).

6 EXISTING KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

The user’s existing knowledge should include:

Level
Topic
Basic Medium High
Mathematical analysis •
Statistic •
Electrical circuits •
Power systems •
Power quality •

7 ACQUIRED COURSE KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

The knowledge acquired during the course should be sufficient for:
− power quality, frequency and voltage variations, control;
− quality of supply in the electricity market;
− demand-side management;
− contracts for electricity supply, tariffs e power quality;
− rRational use of energy (RUE).

8 ANNEXES - MIDAS REPORT

Press
1. PR-00001, n /a, PQ Articles, EC&M
Power Quality Magazine: http://ecmweb.com/about/ , http://www.powerquality.com/
http://ecmweb.com/powerquality/

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 2. PR-00002, n /a, Cahier Technique, Schneider Electric - web site
http://wib-prod.schneider-
electric.com/publicprogram/corp/corp_techpub.nsf/0/B64FE480CDE5289B85256EFC00354C98/$file/CT
0%20Bi%20Web%20(Ed06-03).pdf - Cahier Technicque issued in English
General: http://www.schneider-
electric.com/wps/myportal/!ut/p/.cmd/cs/.ce/7_0_A/.s/7_0_P9/_s.7_0_A/7_0_P9
3. PR-00003, n /a, Electricity and Electronics online Textbook (E-book), All about circuits
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/
4. PR-00004, n /a, Copper Promotion websites - electrical with publications, Copper
Promotion Network
ECI electrical: http://www.eurocopper.org/eci/jsp/index.jsp?idx=35
Leonardo: www.lpqi.org
CDA USA: http://www.copper.org/applications/electrical/pq/
CDA UK: http://www.cda.org.uk/PQP/pqp.htm
Leonardo Energy: http://www.leonardo-energy.org/
5. PR-00005, n /a, National Instruments Application Notes, National Instruments
Application notes on PQ measuring
Also tutorials: http://www.ni.com/industrial/electrical_power_build.htm
6. PR-00006, n /a, Tutorials and Standards for the Power Quality Industry, Power
Standards Lab
Brief power quality tutorials for engineers
Sags, dips, and swells: Introduction to the most common disturbance on AC mains
Transient overvoltages: Introduction to capacitor-switching and high-frequency transients
Harmonics: Introduction to voltage and current harmonics issues
Flicker: Introduction to voltage flicker
Voltage regulation: Introduction to voltage regulation issues
Other disturbances: Frequency variations, noise bursts, and other less common problems
Sag immunity tutorials
Tutorial #1: Common sources of voltage sags / dips
Tutorial #2: Five ways equipment fails due to voltage sags
Tutorial #3: Semiconductor industry voltage sag standards: F47 and F42
Tutorial #4: Quick, inexpensive fixes that increase immunity to voltage sags
Electric power standards
IEEE power quality standards
IEC power quality standards
Utility power quality standards
Industry-specific power quality standards
U.S. military power quality standards
Other power quality standards - ANSI, CBEMA, CIGRE, country-specific, etc.
Also special training software under: http://powerstandards.com/download_reg.htm

Publication
7. REP-00002, 2004, 1-9 Power Quality Glossary, Application note
The glossary of main technical terms used in PQ
8. REP-00032, 2001, 1-1 Introduction, Application note
Application Note about introduction to PQ and EMC
9. REP-00033, 2002, 1-2 Power Quality Self Assessment Guide, Application Note
PQ problems and solutions. Results of the PQ European survey
10. REP-00034, 2001, 2-1 The costs of Poor Power Quality, Application Note
Typical costs of poor PQ
11. REP-00035, 2003, 2-5 Investment Analysis for PQ solutions, Application note
Application Note about investment analysis in PQ domain. Time value of money; NPV, IRR, payback
period.

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 12. REP-00050, 2004, 5-4-2 EN 50160 Standard- Voltage Characteristics in Public
Distribution Systems, Application note
Overview of EN 50160
13. REP-00056, 2003, Business Model for investing in Power Quality Solutions,
Application note
This paper illustrates how non-financially technical personnel can use their experience to help
communicate
to and convince other decision-making departments to invest in upgrading an electrical installation's
resilience
and reliability. It is based on some extensive research carried out among a wide range of commercial
and
non-commercial industrial sectors in Spain. From the analysis of this study, a series of formulae have
been
created to enable managers to qualify the wastage, both in time and financial terms, to their
organizations
and to assist in assessing the value of upgrading the power system to eradicate unnecessary drains on
resource and productivity.
14. REP-00066, 2003, Power Quality - ect 199, Application note
Phenomena causing degradation of power quality, origins, consequences for equipment and main
solutions. Measurement of power quality.
15. REP-00077, 2003, Electrical disturbances in LV - ect 141, Application note
Origin and risks of disturbances. Introduction to electromagnetic compatibility and immunity. Disturbance
of amplitude, frequency, waveform, phase, power.
16. REP-00090, 2003, Energy savings in buildings - ect 206, Application note
Methodology for effective preliminary study work, elements which contribute to energy savings, reducing
energy costs, reducing energy consumption.
17. REP-00091, 2003, Dynamic stability of industrial electrical networks - ect 185,
Application note
Behaviour of industrial electrical networks, causes and effects of instability, necessary precautions,
dynamic stability studies of industrial networks.
18. REP-00095, 2003, MV public distribution networks throughout the world - ect 155,
Application note
Various types of distribution networks, the distributor's role, topologies of MV networks, substations,
protection and remote control.
19. REP-00096, 2003, HV industrial network design - ect 169, Application note
Requirements and main constraints related to the type of industry, standards and local
practices of industrial network design, technical and economic optimization, choice of
optimal network structure and operation.
20. REP-00103, 2003, Understanding Power & Power Quality Measurements, Application
note
The following concepts are explained:
- Typical voltage configurations: single-phase systems, three-Phase, 3-wire systems, three-phase, 4-wire
systems, balanced vs. unbalanced loads, RMS vs. average sensing.
- Demand
- Consumption
- Power factor
- Reactive compensation power
- Electrical harmonics: detection and measurement, effects on the system, transformer derating, meter
readings, drest factor, limiting the effects of harmonics.
21. REP-00104, 2003, Power Quality Monitoring and Power Metering Tutorial, Application
note
The following concepts are explained:
- Basic concepts: voltage, current, AC, DC, phase angle, three-phase power, balanced load, wye
connection, power, energy, power factor, apparent power, real power, reactive power

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 - Power-quality concepts: leading / lagging power, RMS voltage variations (sag, swell and interruption),
waveform harmonics.
22. REP-00107, 2003, Power Quality Monitoring - Plant Investigations. Application Note
no. 5, Application note
Power-quality monitoring - subjects:
1. Introduction
2. PQ disturbances and their characterization
3. PQ monitors
4. Transducers
5. Plant fault finding
23. REP-00108, 2003, Understanding Power Quality. Application Note no. 1, Application
note
Understanding power quality - subjects:
1. Introduction
2. Types of power-quality disturbances: frequency events, voltage events, waveform events
3. Causes of power-quality problems
4. Some effects of power-quality disturbances: voltage events, waveform events
5. Relative importance of power quality issues
6. What you can do to manage your power-quality problems
24. REP-00137, 2002, Technical Potential for Peak Load Management Programs in New
Jersey, Report/study
Loads often have some ability to conveniently store thermal energy and defer electricity consumption.
These inherent storage and control capabilities can be exploited to help reduce peak electric system
consumption. Advances in communications and control technologies are making it possible for loads
ranging from residential through commercial and industrial to respond to economic signals. Many
customers (residential through industrial) are willing to respond to price signals.
This report explores mechanisms to reduce, when necessary, the peak load in New Jersey's electricity
market. It examines load pricing and technical load reduction programs used in recent years in New
Jersey and discuss how they can be made more effective in controlling summer peaks and attendant
high prices of electricity. Particular attention is given to load curtailment programs now in place and
utility opinions relating to them.
25. REP-00138, 2000, Client Report : Trends in smart home systems, connectivity and
services, Report/study
Report on trends in "residential connectivity" and associated smart home systems and services.
The report covers:
- Smart home technologies for Internet access, telephone networks, PC networks, home entertainment,
security, safety, environmental control and special needs
- The external and internal connectivity infrastructure (both cabled and wireless) needed to support
smart home systems
- Internet (online) services
- Telecare
- The benefits and costs of smart homes
The report makes recommendations for a range of standard infrastructure solutions for new homes
to meet simple smart home requirements, while providing the flexibility to upgrade conveniently at a
later date to advanced systems and services such as telecare.
26. REP-00140, 2002, The Process of Designing Appropriate Smart Homes: Including the
User in the Design, Paper
This paper seeks to consider how smart home technology can be incorporated appropriately within the
design process, exploring the difficulties in determining the most appropriate type of technology to meet
the needs of people. The paper concludes with a set of guidelines to inform future designs within this
area.

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