The summary of my MSc dissertation is shown below, if you would like a copy of the entire text please send me an email. James ampersand at salisbury org uk
Summary
This dissertation examines the performance of grid connected solar inverters and associated metering issues. This work is particularly interested in electricity meter fraud. Meter fraud is of renewed interest with the advent of new renewables, where the customer is paid for all energy generated at a premium rate regardless of export.
The document starts with a reminder of both basic AC power and transformers. The document then examines current types of electricity meters and then discusses what a “Smart Meter” could consist of.
The likely performance of solar power in the UK is examined. Solar pyrometer data from the Energy Research Unit at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory is examined to find likely rates of change of power from a solar inverter, and it is found that the rate of change is normally quite low. The concept of a solar signature based on ½ hour billing records is developed.
There is a discussion of the various ways that physical electricity meter fraud could be carried out against older and proposed meters, and how this could be defeated. Particular consideration was given to discussing and modelling ways of obtaining a false credit on the total generation meter associated with new renewables.
A 4-quadrant electricity meter was developed in Matlab using Simulink. This meter was used to model generator phasing attempts, and the use of a transformer to cause a circulating current though a meter.
A prototype power meter is constructed using a commercial energy analyser. Software was written to the meter via Labview. This power meter is then used to examine the actual performance of a solar inverter. It is found that there is significant current distortion and high THD at low loads, this could be used to identify an inverter.