Electronic Process Equipment Compatibility Evaluation Project for Power Quality Enhancement -A Malaysian Experience

Abstract: This paper will highlight a Malaysian experience in power quality enhancement work with respect to utility side and customers side mitigation analysis. One of main driving forces that help to accelerate industrialization process in a country like Malaysia is direct foreign investment in manufacturing and this has somewhat contributed to the rapid growth in electricity consumption. In majority of cases, the manufacturers are establishing or refurbishing plants with high-tech equipment for increased productivity that requires high quality power. Therefore, one particular luring attribute is the ability of the country's utilities to provide the power quality demanded by these customers. The proliferation of electronic equipment in manufacturing industries has made power quality related problem an important consideration in planning and design of a power supply system and its utilization. Variations in the supply voltage waveform even for a very short period that were not a concern before can now become very expensive in terms of process shut-downs and equipment malfunctions. In Peninsular Malaysia, more than 80% of electricity consumers are residential. However, the major users of electric power are the industrial customers. In terms of total number of consumers (TNB) of slightly above four millions, industrial customers constitute only 0.4% although the consumption is more than 51%. With such a high usage of electricity coupled with introduction of many automated processes aided by sensitive electronic devices, power quality problems have become main issues in the Malaysian industries. In view of the importance of understanding power quality problems and its effect on the manufacturing industries, the IRPA (Intensified Research Priority Area), a Malaysian government agency, has sponsored an 18-month project on the customer-side power quality mitigation work. The participants of this project are Tenaga Nasional Berhad (a utility in Malaysia), University of Malaya and a multi-national semiconductor manufacturing. In general, the main objectives of this project are to achieve the followings. • To address the issue of electronic process equipment compatibility towards voltage sag vis-à-vis the currently connected power system of TNB using selected factory's process equipment. • To address in general, the issue of the reliability and quality of the supply system of TNB so as to minimize the effect and occurrence of voltage sags that could lead to interruption of processes (ITP) within the factory's manufacturing facility. The methodology that is used for this project is generally based on the guideline as published in the IEEE Std 1346-1998 entitled " IEEE Recommended Practice for Evaluating Electric Power System Compatibility with Electronic Process Equipment". The issues addressed in this paper encompass in general financial evaluation, power system performance evaluation, equipment performance evaluation, and power quality monitoring as derived from the project. Findings and observations achieved through this project will also be highlighted in this paper. Electronic Process Equipment Compatibility Evaluation Project for Power Quality Abstract: This paper will highlight a Malaysian experience in power quality enhancement work with respect to utility side and customers side mitigation analysis. One of main driving forces that helps to accelerate industrialization process in a country like Malaysia is direct foreign investment in manufacturing and this has somewhat contributed to the rapid growth in electricity consumption. In majority of cases, the manufacturers are establishing or refurbishing plants with high-tech equipment for increased productivity that requires high quality power. Therefore, one particular luring attribute is the ability of the country's utilities to provide the power quality demanded by these customers. The proliferation of electronic equipment in manufacturing industries has made power quality related problem an important consideration in planning and design of a power supply system and its utilization. Variations in the supply voltage waveform even for a very short period that were not a concern before can now become very expensive in terms of process shut-downs and equipment malfunctions. In Peninsular Malaysia, more than 80% of electricity consumers are residential. However, the major users of electric power are the industrial customers. In terms of total number of consumers (TNB) of slightly above four millions, industrial customers constitute only 0.4% although the consumption is more than 51%. With such a high usage of electricity coupled with introduction of many automated processes aided by sensitive electronic devices, power quality problems have become main issues in the Malaysian industries. In view of the importance of understanding power quality problems and its effect on the manufacturing industries, the IRPA (Intensified Research Priority Area), a Malaysian government agency, has sponsored an 18-month project on the customer-side power quality mitigation work. The participants of this project are Tenaga Nasional Berhad (a utility in Malaysia), University of Malaya and Texas Instrument Malaysia (TIM). In general, the main objectives of this project are to achieve the followings. • To address the issue of electronic process equipment compatibility towards voltage sag vis-a-vis the currently connected power system of TNB using selected TIM's process equipment. • To address in general, the issue of the reliability and quality of the supply system of TNB so as to minimize the effect and occurrence of voltage sags that could lead to interruption of processes (ITP) within the TIM's manufacturing facility. The methodology that is used for this project is generally based on the guideline as published in the IEEE Std 1346-1998 entitled " IEEE Recommended Practice for Evaluating Electric Power System Compatibility with Electronic Process Equipment". The issues addressed in this paper encompass in general financial evaluation, power system performance evaluation, equipment performance evaluation, and power quality monitoring as derived from the project. Findings and observations achieved through this project will also be highlighted in this paper

Renewable energy choice: Cost and energy analysis of grid connected photovoltaic system in Malaysia

Conventional energy production methods rely upon combustion of hydrocarbon fuels, which exhaust gases that can elevate the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere (greenhouse effect). Alternative methods of power generation are being examined that do not have this negative environmental impact. This study investigates the potential use of a residential grid-connected photovoltaic system in the Klang Valley of Malaysia. A 1-4 kW system would be capable of producing a RM 4,542.00 net profit per year, generating a total cash benefit of RM 95,382.00 in its 21 year project lifespan. Moreover, the system would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions (40,604 kg of carbon dioxide, 258 kg of sulfur dioxide, 120 kg of nitrous oxide, and 23 kg of carbon monoxide) throughout its 21 year project lifespan. The results of this study can be used to formulate effective renewable-energy alternatives in Malaysia and elsewhere