Investigation of Power quality Problems in a Remote Mine Site

Exhibitor: Franz Alois Hemetsberger

Supervisor: Tapan Saha

Research Group: Complex and Intelligent Systems

Industry Sector: Energy and Utilities

Identifying problems in an electrical network before any extensive damage occurs is advisable for any power system. Not only does monitoring of power quality necessary for the maintaining accurate operation of sensitive equipment, it also ensures that unnecessary energy losses in a power system are kept at a minimum which lead to more profits. This project seeks to identify power quality problems in the isolated Porgera Mine System located in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. For the problems identified, recommendations are suggested to improve the power quality. The voltage sag caused by the starting of large motors is investigated with measured data from the mine and simulated using a power-system-computer-aided-design-software (PSCAD®/EMTDC™) to observe the extent of the sag throughout the system. The extent of sags from faults is also simulated including some mention of harmonics propagation. Results of the project include the total harmonic voltage distortion being within IEEE standards, characterisation of the measured voltage sags, the severity of the sag throughout the system, identification that some sags fall below tolerance curves for sensitive equipment according to the CBEMA curve and correct mitigation techniques available for the problems identified. It was found that line conditioning practices at the mine are adequate but advised that for further expansion a further voltage study be carried out.

The plot given presents measured Voltage Sags overlayed with the CBEMA tolerance curve for sensitive equipment.

Thesis Document (PDF)

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