Power quality solutions

The proliferation of microelectronic processors in a wide range of equipment, from home VCRs and digital clocks to automated industrial assembly lines and hospital diagnostic systems, has increased the vulnerability of such equipment to power quality problems. These problems include a variety of electrical disturbances, which may originate in several ways and have very different effects on various kinds of sensitive loads. Responding to these needs and opportunities, EPRI is accelerating an already wide-ranging program of research to study and solve power quality problems. Surveys are under way to better understand the causes and effects of power disturbances, as seen both on utility systems and at individual customer sites. The power quality characteristics of important categories of sensitive equipment, such as personal computers, are being measured, and more-advanced power conditioners are being developed for use by customers. EPRI is also developing advanced power electronic controllers for use on utility distribution systems.<>