Power quality programme awareness: Framework for developing countries

Abstract

In recent years, Power Quality Programmes (PQPs) have become one of the most recent services offered to electrical distribution companies, both private and state suppliers. This is due to the sudden increase in the number of concerns over power quality (PQ) problems. The aim of this research is to study the implementation of a PQP framework, and the obstacles and barriers faced by Libyan Distribution Networks (LDNs) in implementing a PQP. Firstly, to identify the most critical success factors that would have a major impact on PQP implementation in LDNs. Five Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for PQP were identified to examine the level of power quality in LDNs. They are PQ awareness, PQ disturbances, PQ management commitment, PQ employee’s participation and training and PQ customers’ satisfaction. It revealed that all five CSFs were significantly affected by the level of PQ awareness, and the suspension of PQP implementation. An appropriate PQP framework was developed for the purpose of this study to guide LDNs as a case study in developing countries. The proposed PQP framework model was validated based on the identified CSFs, and the barriers and benefits of PQP, which were analysed using different techniques based on both SPSS and NVivo software. The PQP framework was developed from the findings based on the responses of 397 PQ survey participants, and supported by 44 face-to-face semi-structured interviews conducted with professionals and expert LDNs staff. Out of the 16 PQP barriers, 13 were statistically significant, which indicated that Libya distribution systems have already surmounted various barriers to implementing a PQP effectively. The developed PQP framework consisted of three essential phases. Phase one is designed to increase the level of awareness, while phase two involves preparation for PQP, which contains seven crucial requirements. Phase three, which is the implementation, is designed to determine both the weaknesses and obstacles, and is designed to increase the awareness level. This framework encourages and guides the implementation teams to have an obvious and clear awareness and vision of how to prevent existing obstacles from reappearing in different forms, leading to long-term PQP improvements. There were 11 overall benefits of PQP implementation, which would have a positive impact on LDNs.