New Zealand distribution companies have been increasingly experiencing power quality (PQ) problems due to the changing nature of the loading.
As a result, the Electricity Engineers’ Association (which represents the electricity supply industry) in conjunction with the New Zealand Government funded a 4-year project between 2008 and 2012, to develop Power Quality (PQ) Guidelines for New Zealand. Being a small island country, with a relatively weak system, research was required into the most appropriate PQ limits. Straight adoption of international standards was not seen as appropriate without ensuring they were suitable for the New Zealand environment.
This project researched the characteristics of the New Zealand electricity network, and what it could withstand, along with the characteristics of existing and new technologies, to develop the EEA Power Quality Guidelines that will ensure efficient and reliable operation of electrical equipment on the network.
