Smart grid: Effect of high harmonics on electricity consumers in distribution networks

The issue of power quality in distribution networks is urgent for Russia and this situation is first of all caused by high harmonics. These networks supply power to many nonlinear loads (electric transport, industrial power electronics, rectifiers, etc.) There is a tendency toward increase in the nonlinear load. High harmonics in the supply network considerably decrease the efficiency of both network equipment and electric energy consumers. Deterioration in power quality on the whole increases losses in power supply system. Since in Russia financial settlements between electricity suppliers and consumers take into account only active power, the consumers that generate high harmonics are not interested in their reduction. Therefore, losses related to high harmonics in the network considerably increase in power supply systems. Hence, the problem of reducing high harmonics is a topical problem particularly in Russia. In this paper the authors consider the methods of mitigating the negative impact of ripples on direct current consumers.