Australian Power Quality & Reliability Centre

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Course Objectives

The rapidly increasing installation of electronic equipment such as digital controls, computers and sensitive process control equipment has increased the susceptibility of utility customers to supply disturbances. In addition, the application of power electronic equipment such as variable speed drives and renewable energy systems has in turn often increased the level of disturbances that may impact operation of customer equipment. Electricity supply businesses need to have an ongoing awareness of problems and solutions in the power quality area. This course is an advanced course which builds on the Introductory Quality of Electrical Supply course and is designed to expand the coverage of selected power quality topics in order to give participants practical skills in the analysis and mitigation of specific problems. The selected topics for this course are harmonics, voltage unbalance, voltage sags and interruptions, power electronic mitigation techniques, power quality monitoring and reporting.

Course Benefits

Following the course, participants will be able to:

• Calculate distortion levels, evaluate resonance problems, apply the AS/NZS 61000.3.6 Technical Report methodologies and assess the effectiveness of mitigation methods.
• Apply symmetrical component theory to the calculation of unbalance factors, understand the effects of unbalance on various loads and appreciate the essentials of voltage unbalance standards.
• Determine sag depth at a site depending on fault location or motor start characteristics.
• Assess options for sag mitigation and determine whether they should be applied within the plant or network.
• Understand how power electronic devices can be used to mitigate power quality problems.
• Better understand PQ monitoring methodology including disturbances to be measured, how they should be characterised and reported, and their acceptable levels.

Participants will learn advanced analysis techniques and methods of improving power quality by both network and plant modifications. Course participants will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills through discussion and laboratory sessions.

Who should attend?

This applied course is aimed at utility specialists, consultants, engineers and senior technical staff who wish to advise customers on power quality concerns,or who service large customers or who wish to understand aspects of network design, construction and maintenance techniques for maximising quality of supply.

The course assumes the participants will have an understanding of phasor calculations, simultaneous equations and Fourier analysis.

Course Outline

The course is condicted over two days comprises lectures and computer laboratories:

Day 1

• Harmonics: Overview of harmonics and Fourier analysis, definitions, estimation of harmonic currents due to load types, effect of system impedance, modelling harmonic loads, resonance effects, standards including AS/NZS 61000.3.6, practical mitigation techniques.
• Voltage unbalance: Sequence components, IEEE & IEC standard definitions of unbalance factor, load behavior, IEC 61000-3-13 Technical Report.
• Power electronic mitigation techniques: Application of power electronic systems to the mitigation of voltage problems in distribution systems.

Day 2

• Voltage sags: Application of symmetrical components to fault calculations, sag characterisation, sag aggregation, equipment susceptibility, assessing sag distribution, influence of network design, practical mitigation techniques.
• Power quality monitoring and reporting: Monitoring imperatives, characterising events, instrumentation, benchmarking practices, site indices.

About the speakers

Professor Sarath Perera was the Technical Director of the Australian Power Quality and Reliability Centre for the last 15 years. He is also a Professor in the School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering. Professor Perera has over 40 years’ experience in the areas of power quality, distribution system reliability, EMC and power system simulation techniques. He is the Chair of Standards Australia technical committee EL-034 'Power Quality'.

Dr Robert Barr AM is an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the University of Wollongong and the Director of Electric Power Consulting Pty Ltd. Robert has dealt with a wide range of power quality and general electricity industry problems. Dr Barr was recognised by the Electrical College of Engineers Australia as the 2012 Professional Electrical Engineer of the Year and was announced as being appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen's Birthday 2013 Honours List for significant service to engineering, particularly electrical energy supply and distribution.

Dr David Sweeting OAM is an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the University of Wollongong and the Director of Sweeting Consulting. David has over 40 years experience in HV electrical distribution, power quality reviews for both distributors and customers, and being an expert witness. He has been, and still is, involved on many National and International Standards Committees covering short circuit currents, standard voltages, power quality and arcing hazards. David is internationally recognised for his work on electric arc hazards and in 2018 David was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to electrical engineering.

Dr Peeter Muttik is an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the University of Wollongong. Peeter holds Ph.D, B.E. (Hons) and B.Sc degrees from the University of Adelaide. Peter has many years experience in a wide variety of electric power projects, power systems analysis and design including substations and high power electronics.

Emeritus Professor Vic Gosbell has many years experience in the electric power supply industry, having worked on power system stability, power electronics and variable speed drives and power quality. He set up the Power Quality Centre in 1996 and was its Technical Director for nine years. Although now retired, he still contributes to the work of the Centre, particularly in the areas of harmonic management and the development of power quality survey and reporting techniques. Vic is an active member of the Standards Australia technical committee EL-034 (Power Quality).

Mr Sean Elphick is the Research Coordinator with the Australian Power Quality & Reliability Centre. He has almost 20 years& experience in the areas of power quality monitoring and data analysis. Sean is a member of EL-042-03, the Standards Australia subcommittee responsible for development of the Australian Standard for grid-tie inverters, AS 4777.

Training Investment

The course investment provides for an inclusive industry related training package including course notes. Course fee per person is AUD$1770 including GST.

Participants may count course hours towards their continuing professional development requirements.
NOTE: Arrangements for accommodation are the responsibility of participants and costs are not included in the course fee.

Registration

To register please click the button below.

NOTE: There is no guarantee that economic participation levels for this course can be achieved. Registrants will be notified 2 weeks prior to course if the course cannot proceed due to insufficient numbers. The program may be changed at any time due to unforeseen circumstances. If the course cannot proceed for any reason, UOW will not accept liability of whatsoever kind for expenses incurred by any person or corporation with the sole exception of the course investment, which will be refunded in full.

Enquiries

Registration enquiries

Ms Joanne Robson
Australian Power Quality and Reliability Centre
University of Wollongong
Email: APQRC CPD Courses