Power quality indices and objectives. Ongoing activities in CIGRE WG 36-07

This paper gives an overview of the ongoing activities in CIGRE WG36-07: "Power quality indices and objectives". It introduces the considerations supporting the need for power quality indices and objectives in the present context of deregulation of the electricity industry. Experts generally agree on the need for standardized quality indices allowing to monitor and to report power quality in a common format. However, concerning quality objectives the need is more likely for different levels of quality that can match customers expectations and the price they are wilting to pay for electricity. Some practical limitations to voltage quality monitoring are also discussed. The status of the work within the working group is described for harmonics, flicker, unbalance and voltage dips.