The Measures of Power Quality in Energy Access and Cost-Effective Monitoring Tools as an Enabler

Monitoring power quality (PQ) in microgrids is essential for preventing connected appliances from malfunctioning, yet existing standards are often impractical in the context of energy access. Alternatively, pragmatic approaches such as the Multi-Tier Framework (MTF) and the Quality Assurance Framework for Mini-Grids (QAF) offer viable measures. Despite their practicality, both MTF and QAF necessitate at least voltage measurements for proper implementation, which can be challenging due to resource constraints in remote areas. Therefore, this study proposes the addition of cost-effective remote monitoring tools as a mandatory requirement of microgrid design. This is essential for PQ assessments that are suggested by MTF and QAF, while also enabling the additional assessments for transients and harmonics. Furthermore, proper PQ monitoring also facilitates timely interventions, thereby minimizing the possibility of system failure.