In this project the influence of power quality on the energy efficiency of various types of consumers is studied. Furthermore, there will be investigated which measures can be taken to prevent or rectify a decrease of the energy efficiency as a result of a reduced power quality.

It is expected that in the future, the network quality will decline. Even with an undistorted power supply, the voltage at the terminals of consumers can be of minor quality, caused by the non-linear consumption, unbalanced loads and the possible injection of (renewable) energy within the electrical installation itself.

The advance of distributed generation can lead to increased tension and imbalance, as already noticed by the network administrator in a residential neighbourhood. If the tension becomes too high, the tension safety device of the convertor of the renewable source can be put into action whereby the power injection will stop, the voltage drops, the convertor will be switched on again, the tension will increase, etc. This yo-yo effect of the convertor results in loss of network quality and possible loss of production.

The challenge of this project is to obtain a quantification of the effect of voltage distortion and imbalance on various types of consumers (directly on line and inverter-fed motors, consumers with active and passive rectification, lighting systems, multi-axis applications,...). By doing so, the voltage meters that are correlated to the energy efficiency of consumers and the preconditions they have to comply with will be mapped. In addition, the project should result in generic advice to obtain maximum energy efficiency from the consumers in a real business situation. Finally, the project should also draw up guidelines to execute an economical study concerning the feasibility of implementing the advice. In order to do so, an overview of the parameters that should be taken into consideration for the investment decision will be provided.