Power Quality | Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

What Does Power Quality Mean?

Power Quality refers to the characteristics of the power, or specifically the current and voltage, provided to the customer. The power is to be provided in clean sinusoidal waveforms at a frequency of 60Hz that does not contain sags or spikes, which allows the customer’s equipment to operate reliably.

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Why is Power Quality Important

With the introduction and widespread use of sensitive electronic equipment, energy users have become much more aware and sensitive to transients and other power anomalies. Previously, equipment was fairly immune to short-term power fluctuations and did not project problems back into the utility’s system. Now, with the introduction of nonlinear devices, harmonics are created which can affect the customer’s equipment and the utility’s equipment. The utility is no longer just providing power to turn lights on and start motors. As a result, there has been an increase of problems experienced by electrical end-users. To determine the source of these issues, there are available means for customers, utilities, and consultants to easily monitor, record, and analyze the electric power. Based on the source of the problem, power treatment methods are available to cure or limit the problems.

As the world races toward an electrical and sustainable energy future, there’s a critical piece of the puzzle that most of us have been missing. While solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage tend to dominate the conversation, Power Quality remains unnoticed. But why does it matter?

The following might happen to you: you’re at home, plugging in your electric vehicle for tomorrow’s commute when, suddenly, the lights flicker, your smart thermostat reboots, and your EV charging slows to a frustrating trickle. These aren’t just minor disruptions – it’s a snapshot of what could happen to entire energy grids if we ignore the role of power quality in the energy transition.

Power quality, also defined as the reliability and stability of our electrical supply, is a fundamental requirement for the success of renewable energy integration. Ignoring it could cost us a lot down the line. Think of damaged infrastructure and electrical equipment, lost renewable energy production, and an unreliable energy system. So why isn’t this issue getting more attention? The truth is, we don’t see many of the problems described above – yet! Additionally, power quality can seem complex, technical, and perhaps, not as captivating as solar panels or wind farms. Yet, at Withthegrid, we recognize its essential role and aim to bring clarity to this topic.