Power quality analysis and improvements within a local hospital

Abstract

This master's dissertation investigates power quality (PQ) within a local hospital, aiming to identify, analyse, and mitigate PQ issues that could compromise critical medical equipment and patient safety. Hospitals rely on a stable and reliable power supply to operate essential medical devices and IT systems. Disruptions in PQ, such as voltage sags, spikes, and harmonic distortions, can cause significant operational and safety challenges, including equipment damage and increased maintenance costs. The study begins with a comprehensive PQ assessment using advanced monitoring equipment to collect real-time data on voltage, current, frequency, and harmonics across various hospital departments. Key areas of concern include high-power medical devices like CT scanners, linear accelerators, and chilled water pump sets. The data collected is analysed to pinpoint specific PQ disturbances and their frequencies, magnitudes, and durations. In response to the identified issues, the dissertation proposes targeted mitigation measures, specifically the installation of single-tuned passive filters for the 5th and 7th harmonics. These filters are designed to reduce harmonic distortions and improve overall power quality. The effectiveness of the proposed solutions is evaluated through detailed simulations using MATLAB Simulink, replicating the hospital's electrical distribution system and assessing the impact of the filters. The simulation results indicate that the proposed filters significantly decrease the unwanted harmonics, thereby improving the PQ of the system, enhancing the reliability and safety of the hospital's power supply. The dissertation concludes with recommendations for continuous PQ monitoring and proactive maintenance to prevent future issues, ensuring the hospital can maintain high standards of patient care and operational efficiency.