This project supports Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) in assessing low voltage power quality (LVPQ) in homes equipped with low carbon technologies.
Heat pumps and solar PV rely on components which can have adverse effects on power quality. This can cause other sensitive equipment, both in the home and on the network side, to fail.
SSEN are testing the use of power quality improvement devices, to restore a stable supply and reduce the need for costly network reinforcement. Energy Systems Catapult is supporting this project with power quality data from homes in our Living Lab. 20 homes, each with heat pumps, and in some cases additional low carbon technologies, have been fitted with monitoring equipment to capture accurate power quality data.
Power quality refers to the stability, reliability, and consistency of the electrical power supplied to devices or systems. It measures how well the voltage, frequency, and waveform of electricity conform to ideal specifications. Good power quality ensures that electrical equipment operates efficiently and without disruptions, while poor power quality can cause equipment malfunction, inefficiency, or damage.
Low carbon technologies are at the heart of the UK’s transition to Net Zero, yet their operational components can compromise power quality. The harmonics produced can disrupt other household and network equipment, potentially leading to failures.
Understanding these disturbances in real world settings is crucial, to safeguard sensitive electronics and to inform better grid management and future technology development.
We’re working closely with SSEN, using our Living Lab’s unique access to homes that are early adopters of low carbon solutions. Power quality monitors are installed in selected homes, enabling data collection on the impact of low carbon technologies over the course of a full year.
The insights generated from this work will help energy networks manage power quality issues in domestic environments. By pinpointing the precise effects of low carbon technologies on the network, the project will inform the development of ways to mitigate power quality issues, safeguarding sensitive home and electricity equipment in homes. Ultimately, these findings will support SSEN’s decision-making and drive forward industry best practices, ensuring that the transition to Net Zero is underpinned by robust and reliable data.
To find out how Energy Systems Catapult can help you navigate the challenges of power quality and accelerate energy innovation, please get in touch.
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Find out moreFind out more about how Energy Systems Catapult can help you and your teams
Find out more about how Energy Systems Catapult can help you and your teams