Abstract
Narrow Band Power Line Communications (NB-PLC) systems are currently used for smart metering and power quality monitoring as a part of the Smart Grid (SG) concept. However, non-intentional emissions generated by the devices connected to the grid may sometimes disturb the communications and isolate metering equipment. Though some research works have been recently developed to characterize these emissions, most of them have been limited to frequencies below 150 kHz and they are mainly focused on in-house electronic appliances and lightning devices. As NB-PLC can also be allocated in higher frequencies up to 500 kHz, there is still a lack of analysis in this frequency range, especially for emissions from Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). The identification and characterization of the emissions is essential to develop solutions that avoid a negative impact on the proper performance of NB-PLC.In this work, the non-intentional emissions of different types of DERs composing a representative microgrid have been measured in the 35–500 kHz frequency range and analyzed both in time and frequency domains. Different working conditions and coupling and commutation procedures to mains are considered in the analysis. Results are then compared to the limits recommended by regulatory bodies for spurious emissions from communication systems in this frequency band, as no specific limits for DERs have been established. Field measurements show clear differences in the characteristics of non-intentional emissions for different devices, working conditions and coupling procedures and for frequencies below and above 150 kHz. Results of this study demonstrate that a further characterization of the potential emissions from the different types of DERs connected to the grid is required in order to guarantee current and future applications based on NB-PLC.
Highlights
IntroductionThese Narrow Band Power Line Communications (NB-PLC) technologies operate in the 3–500 kHz frequency range, which includes CENELEC bands (3–148.5 kHz) defined by the Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique, the FCC band (9–490 kHz) set by the United States Federal Communications Commission, and the ARIB band (10–450 kHz) specified by the Japanese Association of Radio Industries and Businesses [11]
Results of this study demonstrate that a further characterization of the potential emissions from the different types of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) connected to the grid is required in order to guarantee current and future applications based on Narrow Band Power Line Communications (NB-PLC)
The non-intentional emissions generated by different DERs in the measurement campaign are analyzed both in frequency and in time domains
Summary
These NB-PLC technologies operate in the 3–500 kHz frequency range, which includes CENELEC bands (3–148.5 kHz) defined by the Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique, the FCC band (9–490 kHz) set by the United States Federal Communications Commission, and the ARIB band (10–450 kHz) specified by the Japanese Association of Radio Industries and Businesses [11]. Most of the recently developed communication technologies avoid the lowest frequency range (3–30 kHz) due to the high level of noise and interfering emissions existing in the electrical grid. Electrical Power and Energy Systems 105 (2019) 549–563 channel may degrade the communications in some cases These channel disturbances are mainly non-intentional emissions in the NB-PLC frequency bands generated by devices connected to the electrical grid, such as electronic appliances and lightning devices, and DERs such as photovoltaic (PV) inverters, battery chargers, hydropower systems or wind turbines. As more renewable power generators, electric vehicle (EV) chargers and energy-efficient devices are added to the grid, the number and amplitude of the emissions increases. CENELEC has recently recommended the analysis of the non-intentional emission levels both in time and frequency domains [12]
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