Analysis of the Applicability of PMU Measurements for Power Quality Assessment

This paper presents the results of the study made to analyse the applicability of PMU measurements for power quality (PQ) assessment. Using PMUs to assess the PQ in the power system is becoming more relevant in context of increasing level of power electronic devices in the grid, e.g. HVDC, FACTS, wind and solar power plants, etc., and due to increasing installations and use of PMU measurements. For this study, several test cases were developed and assessments were made based on criteria defined in the IEEE standard C37.118.1-2011. Three PMU units form different manufacturers were tested and the results are presented in the paper. The results indicate that PMU data is suitable for some indicative steady-state PQ assessment. However, assessment of higher harmonics should be done with PMUs that have special modules or estimation algorithms for this kind of purpose.