PCE Newsroom

Power quality of an electrical system is used to describe the quality and inherent compatibility of power use and distribution in a network. For site connections, power quality is typically assessed in terms of harmonic voltage distortion, harmonic current distortion, voltage fluctuation, voltage unbalance and flicker.

Advances in technology, as well as operational and economic benefits, are allowing energy production to be less centralised. Modern electricity grids are witnessing a growing number of connections of distributed energy resources, including gas and diesel generators and renewable's like wind and solar. The decentralised energy landscape brings with it several challenges for designers and grid operators.

The Australian energy industry is in a period of significant change with the rise of renewable resource use, decommissioning of power stations and increased desire for independent energy supply. According to the Australian Energy Statistics 2018 (AES) for 2016-17, oil held the largest share of energy consumption at 38%, whilst coal dropped by 1.0% to 32% of total consumption. There was a greater shift in generation towards independent sources which accounted for 12% of Australia’s electricity generation in 2016-17. Solar generation also increased by 18% whilst coal generation decreased by 11% to hold 63% of total generation in the same period (down from 80% at the beginning of the century [1]).

Partial discharge (PD) is an early indication of the degradation of an insulation system for medium and high voltage networks. Insulation breakdown in an electrical power system can lead to high voltage asset damage, unplanned outages and production delays; with the potential for significant financial impact to your business. Luckily, PD can be identified quickly and non-intrusively – whilst equipment is live and in normal operation – allowing targeted HV maintenance and avoiding unnecessary equipment damage and downtime.   

Ausgrid launches a new online application process - replacing the old NECF application - and introduces a CRM tool to increase transparency of the contestable design and construction process. 

Power Control Engineers love staying up to date with all the latest news around network service providers - so you don't have to - and recently attended the Ausgrid ASP3 Seminar in Waitara, New South Wales. Here is a snapshot of the key takeaways: