Economic damages from low-quality electric energy

Abstract

The problems of maintaining the quality indicators of electrical energy and, in particular, voltage dips as well as the consequences of voltage dips in electrical networks of industrial enterprises are considered. A classification of electrical consumers according to their sensitivity to voltage dips in critical areas is given. The main measures to prevent technical consequences of voltage dips are described. In order to ensure predictable operation of protection systems, it is necessary to analyse and prepare measures to improve power quality. To this end, high accuracy class recorders can be successfully used and measurements should be made at characteristic points of the network, power centres and at the common connection points of consumers. The consequences of voltage dips have been allocated to economic damage at companies. Without a general account of the damage caused by poor power quality, it is not possible to correctly calculate the economic effect of improving the reliability of technical systems, both in design and in operation. Therefore, it is proposed to use contextual factors of energy efficiency. Hence, an approach to the selection of surge protection measures is derived which requires consideration of the cost-benefit test of the technical measures. Thus, in order to select any of the surge protection measures, it is first necessary to analyse the statistical data, to understand the cause of the equipment outage and then to make a technically and economically sound decision to improve the reliability of the electricity supply. It is possible that the simplest and most effective solution for surge protection may not be in the electrical part but in the process or instrumentation system.