The present power system is loaded with sophisticated energy conversion technologies like solid state converters. With the rapid advance in semiconductor technology, power electronics have provided new devices that are highly efficient and reliable. These devices are inherently non-linear, which causes the current to deviate from sinusoidal conditions. This phenomenon is known as harmonic current distortion. Multiple consumers are connected to the utility at the point of common coupling. Harmonic currents are then transmitted into the distribution system by various solid state users and this could lead to voltage distortion. Harmonic distortion is just one of the power quality fields and is not desirable in a power system. Distortion levels could cause multiple problems in the form of additional heating, increased power losses and even failing of sensitive equipment. Utility companies like Eskom have power quality monitors on various points in their distribution system. Data measurements are taken at a single point of delivery during certain time intervals and stored on a database. Multiple harmonic measurements will not be able to describe distortion patterns of the whole distribution system. Analysis must be done on this information to translate it to useful managerial information. The aim of this project is to develop a benchmarking methodology that could aid the supply industry with useful information to effectively manage harmonic distortion in a distribution system. The methodology will implement distortion indexes set forth by the Electrical Power Research Institute [3], which will describe distortion levels in a qualitative and quantitative way. Harmonic measurements of the past two years will be used to test the methodology. The information is obtained from Eskom’s database and will benchmark the North-West Province distribution network [40]. This proposed methodology will aim to aid institutions like NERSA to establish a reliable power quality management system. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Nuclear Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

The present power system is loaded with sophisticated energy conversion technologies like solid state converters. With the rapid advance in semiconductor technology, power electronics have provided new devices that are highly efficient and reliable. These devices are inherently non-linear, which causes the current to deviate from sinusoidal conditions. This phenomenon is known as harmonic current distortion. Multiple consumers are connected to the utility at the point of common coupling. Harmonic currents are then transmitted into the distribution system by various solid state users and this could lead to voltage distortion. Harmonic distortion is just one of the power quality fields and is not desirable in a power system. Distortion levels could cause multiple problems in the form of additional heating, increased power losses and even failing of sensitive equipment. Utility companies like Eskom have power quality monitors on various points in their distribution system. Data measurements are taken at a single point of delivery during certain time intervals and stored on a database. Multiple harmonic measurements will not be able to describe distortion patterns of the whole distribution system. Analysis must be done on this information to translate it to useful managerial information. The aim of this project is to develop a benchmarking methodology that could aid the supply industry with useful information to effectively manage harmonic distortion in a distribution system. The methodology will implement distortion indexes set forth by the Electrical Power Research Institute [3], which will describe distortion levels in a qualitative and quantitative way. Harmonic measurements of the past two years will be used to test the methodology. The information is obtained from Eskom’s database and will benchmark the North-West Province distribution network [40]. This proposed methodology will aim to aid institutions like NERSA to establish a reliable power quality management system. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Nuclear Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Com o surgimento das novas tecnologias aplicadas aos equipamentos e arranjos geométricos das fontes renováveis de energia, o sistema de aterramento passou a operar com correntes de várias frequências, diferentes da componente fundamental. Estas correntes são provenientes das novas cargas não lineares conectadas e das condições de falta, tornando mais difícil a equipotencialização do sistema de aterramento, devido, principalmente, ao seu tamanho e sua geometria. Neste cenário, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo o estudo do comportamento de um sistema de aterramento operando na presença de correntes com distorção harmônica. Para a modelagem do sistema de aterramento teste, foi utilizada a teoria de linhas de transmissão, considerando parâmetros distribuídos, pela qual o condutor foi modelado em porções ao longo de seu comprimento. Para a modelagem e análise do sistema de aterramento foram utilizados o programa ATP (Alternative Transients Program) e uma ferramenta computacional comercial, com o intuito de validar os valores da resistência da malha de aterramento observados. Pelos resultados encontrados, têm-se argumentos para alertar os projetos futuros de sistemas de aterramento para a necessidade e uma melhor análise das situações operacionais passíveis de ocorrência no sistema elétrico que venham a apresentar uma composição harmônica diferente e não desprezível em relação ao componente fundamental. / With the rise of new technology applied to devices and geometric arrangements related to renewable energy sources, grounding systems have started to operate with currents of multiple frequencies, deviating from its fundamental component. These currents come from the connection of new nonlinear loads and fault conditions, which makes the equipotential bonding harder for the grounding system, mainly due to its size and geometry. In this scenario, this research aims to study the behavior of a grounding system operating in the presence of harmonically distorted currents. The transmission line theory was used to model the testing grounding system, based on distributed parameters, through which the conductor was modeled in increments along its length. For modeling and studying the grounding system, the ATP (Alternative Transients Program) and a commercial software tool were used in order to validate the resistance values observed in the grounding grid. Based on the results found, there are arguments to alert future grounding system projects about the need for a better assessment of operational scenarios likely to occur in the electrical system, which may display a different harmonic composition that is not negligible in relation to the fundamental component.

A utilização da energia eólica é ainda recente no setor elétrico e, por isso, apresenta inúmeros desafios na operação e integração dessa nova tecnologia com o sistema elétrico. Desta forma, este trabalho aborda o impacto da injeção de correntes harmônicas que as Centrais de Geração Eólica geram no Sistema Interligado Nacional. Inicialmente, aborda-se a fundamentação teórica e o conceito básico da energia eólica, principalmente em relação ao panorama desta fonte renovável no Brasil e no mundo e, de uma forma sucinta, aborda-se também sobre o aspecto tecnológico dos aerogeradores. Outro aspecto relevante deste trabalho, é o levantamento do estado da arte sobre os conceitos e cálculos das distorções harmônicas, bem como sobre o processo de integração das novas Centrais de Geração Eólica à rede básica. O principal resultado obtido neste trabalho, é o estudo de sensibilidade da distorção harmônica de tensão, no ponto de acoplamento da Central à rede básica de transmissão, frente à variação topológica da rede coletora da Central de Geração Eólica. Para tal estudo, foi modelada uma Central de Geração Eólica e aplicadas as metodologias estudadas no estado da arte. Os resultados obtidos do estudo de sensibilidade, é de grande interesse para os operadores da rede e transmissão de energia elétrica, bem como às geradoras de energia eólica. / The use of wind energy is still recent in the electric sector and, therefore, presents numerous challenges in the operation and integration of this new technology with the electric system. In this way, this work approaches the impact of the injection of harmonic currents generated by the Wind Generation Plants in the National Interconnected System. Initially, it addresses the theoretical basis and the basic concept of wind energy, mainly in relation to the panorama of this renewable source in Brazil and in the world and, briefly, it also addresses the technological aspect of wind turbines. Another relevant aspect of this work is the state of the art survey on the concepts and calculations of harmonic distortions, as well as on the integration process of the new Wind Generation Plants into the basic grid. The main result obtained in this work is the sensitivity study of the harmonic distortion of voltage at the coupling point of the Central to the basic transmission network, in front of the topological variation of the collecting network of the Wind Generation Plant. For such study, a Wind Generation Plant was modeled and the methodologies studied in the state of the art were applied. The results obtained from the sensitivity study, is of great interest to the network operators and transmission of electricity, as well as to wind power generators.

A utilização da energia eólica é ainda recente no setor elétrico e, por isso, apresenta inúmeros desafios na operação e integração dessa nova tecnologia com o sistema elétrico. Desta forma, este trabalho aborda o impacto da injeção de correntes harmônicas que as Centrais de Geração Eólica geram no Sistema Interligado Nacional. Inicialmente, aborda-se a fundamentação teórica e o conceito básico da energia eólica, principalmente em relação ao panorama desta fonte renovável no Brasil e no mundo e, de uma forma sucinta, aborda-se também sobre o aspecto tecnológico dos aerogeradores. Outro aspecto relevante deste trabalho, é o levantamento do estado da arte sobre os conceitos e cálculos das distorções harmônicas, bem como sobre o processo de integração das novas Centrais de Geração Eólica à rede básica. O principal resultado obtido neste trabalho, é o estudo de sensibilidade da distorção harmônica de tensão, no ponto de acoplamento da Central à rede básica de transmissão, frente à variação topológica da rede coletora da Central de Geração Eólica. Para tal estudo, foi modelada uma Central de Geração Eólica e aplicadas as metodologias estudadas no estado da arte. Os resultados obtidos do estudo de sensibilidade, é de grande interesse para os operadores da rede e transmissão de energia elétrica, bem como às geradoras de energia eólica. / The use of wind energy is still recent in the electric sector and, therefore, presents numerous challenges in the operation and integration of this new technology with the electric system. In this way, this work approaches the impact of the injection of harmonic currents generated by the Wind Generation Plants in the National Interconnected System. Initially, it addresses the theoretical basis and the basic concept of wind energy, mainly in relation to the panorama of this renewable source in Brazil and in the world and, briefly, it also addresses the technological aspect of wind turbines. Another relevant aspect of this work is the state of the art survey on the concepts and calculations of harmonic distortions, as well as on the integration process of the new Wind Generation Plants into the basic grid. The main result obtained in this work is the sensitivity study of the harmonic distortion of voltage at the coupling point of the Central to the basic transmission network, in front of the topological variation of the collecting network of the Wind Generation Plant. For such study, a Wind Generation Plant was modeled and the methodologies studied in the state of the art were applied. The results obtained from the sensitivity study, is of great interest to the network operators and transmission of electricity, as well as to wind power generators.

Com o surgimento das novas tecnologias aplicadas aos equipamentos e arranjos geométricos das fontes renováveis de energia, o sistema de aterramento passou a operar com correntes de várias frequências, diferentes da componente fundamental. Estas correntes são provenientes das novas cargas não lineares conectadas e das condições de falta, tornando mais difícil a equipotencialização do sistema de aterramento, devido, principalmente, ao seu tamanho e sua geometria. Neste cenário, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo o estudo do comportamento de um sistema de aterramento operando na presença de correntes com distorção harmônica. Para a modelagem do sistema de aterramento teste, foi utilizada a teoria de linhas de transmissão, considerando parâmetros distribuídos, pela qual o condutor foi modelado em porções ao longo de seu comprimento. Para a modelagem e análise do sistema de aterramento foram utilizados o programa ATP (Alternative Transients Program) e uma ferramenta computacional comercial, com o intuito de validar os valores da resistência da malha de aterramento observados. Pelos resultados encontrados, têm-se argumentos para alertar os projetos futuros de sistemas de aterramento para a necessidade e uma melhor análise das situações operacionais passíveis de ocorrência no sistema elétrico que venham a apresentar uma composição harmônica diferente e não desprezível em relação ao componente fundamental. / With the rise of new technology applied to devices and geometric arrangements related to renewable energy sources, grounding systems have started to operate with currents of multiple frequencies, deviating from its fundamental component. These currents come from the connection of new nonlinear loads and fault conditions, which makes the equipotential bonding harder for the grounding system, mainly due to its size and geometry. In this scenario, this research aims to study the behavior of a grounding system operating in the presence of harmonically distorted currents. The transmission line theory was used to model the testing grounding system, based on distributed parameters, through which the conductor was modeled in increments along its length. For modeling and studying the grounding system, the ATP (Alternative Transients Program) and a commercial software tool were used in order to validate the resistance values observed in the grounding grid. Based on the results found, there are arguments to alert future grounding system projects about the need for a better assessment of operational scenarios likely to occur in the electrical system, which may display a different harmonic composition that is not negligible in relation to the fundamental component.

The increasing propagation of power electronics technologies and the related operational equipment such as inverter-fed drives and solid-state transformers in electrical grids lead to growing harmonic distortion of the voltage waveform. Harmonics modify the shape of a voltage waveform but also affect the peak voltage despite constant RMS voltage. Resulting from this, it was previously found that harmonics not only have an influence on the partial discharge patterns and characteristics but also the lifetime of model insulations. The epoxy-mica main wall insulation of rotating electrical machines is partial discharge-resistant to certain extent. Nonetheless, severe production faults should be detected by partial discharge measurements as they may lead to accelerated ageing. The purpose of this contribution is to investigate the impact of harmonics on the partial discharge characteristics of the insulation system of rotating electrical machines in general and especially on a test object with an artificial void fault. An assessment of the partial discharge pattern and apparent charge measurement is given by analyzing the characteristics to harmonic waveform parameters that incoporate peak alteration and shape modification. It is shown that the voltage shape and gradients play a subordinate role compared to the voltage peak altering effect of harmonics. The effects are more pronounced with the test object with an artificially introduced fault.