Study Committee C4 on 'System Technical Performance': Current Activities and Future Plans

Study Committee C4 was one of the new study committees created as a result of the restructuring of CIGRE in 2002. It has a relatively broad mandate, and is responsible for facilitating and promoting progress in the development of methods and tools for analysis of power system performance related to the following five fields: - Power Quality - Electromagnetic Compatibility - Insulation Coordination - Lightning - Power System Security SC C4 is essentially a merger of significant parts of three former study committees: SC 33 «Insulation Coor dination»; SC 36 «Power System Electromagnetic Com patibility”; Comp atibility”; and SC 38 «Power System Analysis and Techn iques”. It brings together all activities related to the power system “technical” performance under one study committee, thus providing for the coordination and integration of these activities. In addition, it leads to “broadbased” expertise essential for effectively dealing with complex technical issues of present-day power systems. In carrying out studies and other work necessary to meet its objectives, SC C4 takes into account a number of external factors: technological evolution of the electri cal power industry; environmental impact considerations; impact of socio-economic, sociopolitical and ownership changes on power systems; and the changing needs for developing standards and recommended practices at national and international levels. Co-operation with other CIGRE committees and with external organizations is a key factor in this regard. SC C4 has established strong ties to CIRED and IEC, particularly in the activities related to Power Quality and Electromagnetic Compatibility. Cooperative relationships have also been established with IEEE PES, UIE, ITU-T and EURELECTRIC. A key focus of the planned activities of SC C4 is on technical challenges related to power system physical performance that need to be addressed by system planners, equipment suppliers, network operators. The technical activities of SC C4 have been organized in terms of the five distinct areas related to power system performance. Advisory Groups have been set up to assist in the planning and steering of the activities in each of the five areas. The following are the current and future planned activities in each area.