CUSTOM POWER - EPRI's response to power quality issues

Abstract

Industrial and commercial customers are adding computer controlled and microprocessor-based equipment at an ever increasing rate. Although these sophisticated devices enhance the productivity of these customers, they are not without their own set of unique power requirements. One of these requirements is the need of high quality power containing minimal voltage variations. Line voltage sags and surges, momentary outages, transients and harmonic distortion, although brief, can adversely affect the performance of these sophisticated devices. These customers are not able to cope with the short interruptions caused by faults and involving breaker reclosing or feeder switching actions. CUSTOM POWER technology integrates modern power electronics-based controllers with distribution automation, integrated utility communications and lightning research to produce high quality power. This CUSTOM POWER provides the electric utility industry with a technology option to meet the power quality needs of customers who have sensitive microprocessor loads. In addition to receiving quality power customers can avoid the significant electrical losses that often occur from customer-installed power conditioning equipment such as uninterruptible power supplies.