Technical Note No.1 - Understanding Power Quality
Describes the range of power quality problems, what causes them, what they affect and what can be done to manage them.
Technical Note No.2 - Power Factor Correction and its Pitfalls
Considers power factor correction as applied by large customers and the possible consequences when power factor correction capacitors are incorrectly applied where there are major harmonic producing loads such as adjustable speed drives. Also examines detuning methods.
Technical Note No.3 - Harmonic Distortion in the Electric Supply System
Discusses harmonic distortion, its causes and adverse effects, what levels are unacceptable and how to reduce it.
Technical Note No.4 - Voltage Sag Measurement and Characterisation
Discusses voltage sags, their causes and effects, and how they are measured and reported.
Technical Note No.5 - Power Quality Monitoring - Plant Investigations
Discusses Power Quality Monitoring, what features are required in a power quality monitor and how it can be used to identify specific problems in an installation
Technical Note No.6 - Voltage Unbalance
Discusses Voltage Unbalance, its causes and effects, and what can be done to reduce it.
Technical Note No.7 - Voltage Fluctuations in the Electric Supply System
Discusses voltage fluctuations, their causes and adverse effects, what levels are acceptable and how to reduce their consequences
Technical Note No.8 - Transient Overvoltages on the Electricity Supply Network - Classification , Causes and Propagation
Discusses transient overvoltages, how they are classified, their causes and how they propagate through the electricity network
Technical Note No.9 - Transient Overvoltages on the Electricity Supply Network - Effects on Connected Equipment and their Mitigation
Presents an overview of the adverse effects on connected equipment of transient overvoltages that can occur on the electricity distribution network, and how to provide protection against them.
Technical Note No.10 - Small Scale Domestic Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Systems
Examines small scale domestic rooftop solar PV systems and more specifically, the subset known as grid connect systems. A description of the components, including construction and operating characteristics, which constitute a solar PV generating source, namely solar panels and the grid connect inverter, is given. The level of solar resources in Australia and the pros and cons of solar PV systems are discussed. A review of the Australian standards concerning connection of PV generation is presented. Finally, the Technical Note examines some of the potential engineering difficulties associated with the connection of lrage numbers of solar PV sources. These potential difficulties include deterioration of network power quality levels, interference with protection schemes and stability problems.
Technical Note No.11 - Voltage Sag Mitigation
Discusses voltage sags including characterisation, causes, measurement and financial impact. Techniques which may be utilised to mitigate voltage sags are described and the advantages and disadvantages of each technology are discussed. It should be noted that the voltage sag mitigation techniques examined are limited to solutions involving the use of equipment designed for this task at the plant/equipment level. Other mitigation strategies such as network improvement along with improving equipment immunity have not been considered. Finally a comparison of the costs of each voltage sag mitigation technology is given.
Technical Note No.12 - Power Quality in Future Low Voltage Electricity Networks
Forecasts how power quality (PQ) issues in low voltage (LV) networks may develop over the next decade or so. It has four sections to cover PQ concepts, PQ disturbances, possible developments of the network and the future of PQ.
Technical Note No.13 - Domestic Energy Saving Devices
This technical note investigates energy saving devices which are marketed for domestic applications. Rapidly increasing energy prices and climate change concerns leading to a desire to reduce energy consumption have seen a proliferation of such devices in the marketplace. Some of the promotional material associated with these devices makes exaggerated, misleading or technically incorrect assertions. This technical note examines the theoretical capabilities of a number of voltage reduction technologies currently in the marketplace. A short review of the way that energy is measured is also included.
Technical Note No.14 - Ripple Injection Load Control Systems
This technical note discusses ripple injection load control systems. Ripple injection load control is a communication method used extensively by electricity distributors to turn on and off loads such as off-peak hot water systems and street lighting. Ripple injection control systems work by superimposing a coded control signal on to the normal 50 Hz voltage waveform. This allows for one way communication with loads without additional communications infrastructure. In most cases, ripple injection control systems are an effective and flexible method of performing this control. For residential customers, ripple injection systems allow access to cheaper off-peak electricity.
Technical Note No.15 - Impact of Power Quality on Lighting Technology
This technical note discusses the impact of power quality (PQ) disturbances on different lighting technologies. It mainly focuses on lighting technologies for domestic use; however, much of the technical information is also readily applicable to commercial and industrial lighting technologies.
Technical Note No.16 - Domestic Energy Storage
This technical note examines domestic (residential) electrochemical battery energy storage systems (BESS), primarily focusing on grid-connected BESS. Theory of battery operation is examined and characteristics and capabilities of BESS are outlined. Benefits of BESS to consumers is examined followed by a financial analysis of payback time for a typical BESS and renewable energy generation system.