Grid quality

Supply quality characteristics

In the context of the energy transition and the ongoing technological development of electricity grids, aspects of supply quality are becoming increasingly important. As a metering operator, we provide you with a detailed picture of quality in the following segments:

• Supply reliability: Type, duration and frequency of interruptions
• Voltage quality: Defined by European standards
• Service quality: Response times, communication and compliance with contractual agreements

Supply reliability

The reliability of the electricity supply is determined by the frequency and duration of power outages. It indicates to what extent an electrical supply system is capable of fulfilling its task of electricity delivery under certain conditions and over a defined period.

To assess this reliability, power outages at end consumers (grid users) are examined and analysed. For this analysis, there are uniform guidelines worldwide and in Europe for defining measurement parameters, such as downtime in minutes per year.

These measurement parameters are based on factors that can be influenced by grid operators and therefore provide a basis for regulating supply quality. It is important that the collection of this data is possible without disproportionate effort.

Electrical voltage quality

The quality of electrical voltage follows European and worldwide standards and is defined by the conformity of the actual voltage values at the consumer with the specifications guaranteed by the grid operator. The determinants of voltage quality are diverse and often complex, making it difficult to assign specific causes to particular disturbances.

The following factors significantly influence voltage quality:

• The operator's distribution network and its switching operations
• Grid feedback effects from energy generation facilities and end consumer devices, which can only be controlled by the grid operator to a limited extent, usually only through standards or contractual regulations
• Additional variables such as atmospheric conditions (e.g. thunderstorms, storms or frost formation) or external influences (such as cable damage from construction work), which can cause earth faults or short circuits

As a consequence, when a disturbance occurs, it is not straightforward to determine where the reasons for a specific impairment lie. Possible causes may be found directly at the affected end consumer, at another consumer in the vicinity, or at the grid operator itself. Furthermore, it is possible that different causes overlap and that disturbances and their effects manifest differently.

Service quality

Service quality encompasses the interaction between the grid operator and the end consumer. This includes, among other things, response times in case of disturbances, the quality of communication and compliance with contractual agreements. acteno energy supports you in transparently documenting and tracking these quality characteristics.