Flicker prediction and simulation in public and industrial systems

Today, the prediction and limitation planning of power system flicker is of increasing importance. In medium voltage networks for example, the number of wind generators is rapidly increasing, showing high power fluctuation and resulting in flicker problems. In the low voltage networks of industrial installations especially, spot welding machines necessitate the prediction and planning of the voltage quality. It has been found that classical load flow simulations are time consuming and lead to unrealistic results. A new fast simulation method has been developed, enabling the simulation of power systems with a high number of rapidly fluctuating loads and stochastic generators such as wind generators. The stochastic behaviour of loads and generators is simulated by a scenario generator. The distribution network can be simulated either as a single- or three-phase system. The result of simulation is a voltage time profile of the network. With the help of integrated software, the full function of a flickermeter for the evaluation of the flicker level is possible. The system has been successfully tested for an industrial power system with spot welding machines. In future, it will be used for the planning of the power quality of new Austrian wind farms and industrial factory installations with numerous welding robots.