Import and export of electrical energy

By Surendra Jhalora

Introduction
Electricity is generated by generating stations and
transmitted to load centers from where it is
distributed to end consumers. These load centers
are controlled by distribution utilities, and there is
an inter-change of energy between different
utilities connected to the grid.
Consumers connected to the distribution utilities,
though consuming active energy may or may not
consume reactive energy. There may be consumers
whose loads are predominantly inductive and
other consumers whose loads are predominantly
capacitive. There may be bulk consumers who have
their own generators who operate their generators
in synchronism with the grid, drawing active
energy from the system or even exporting active
energy into the system.
The exchange of electricity is complex in such
situations, and four quadrant energy
measurements are needed to accurately measure
the active and reactive energy under different
export/import conditions for both active & reactive
energy.
Energy measurement under such situations will
depend on applicable tariff structures, and hence
to cater for different tariff structures in the
environment of import/export of active/reactive
energy special data logging/measuring features are
required in meters.
In this regards there are three forms of
measurements to deal with (in metering) and these
are active energy, reactive energy & apparent
energy. The definitions and inter-relations are
explained for import/export are explained below.

Power flow
We need to understand the definition of power
flow. Power flow is always measured with respect to
the Voltage, and the Voltage at the point of
measurement is taken as reference vector for
defining the direction of power flow. The angular
position of the current vector with reference to this
reference Voltage vector defines the direction of the
flow for active, reactive and apparent energy.
When we consider vectors, and we assume that the
voltage vector is a reference vector (with the current
vector as a variable vector based on the load), the

Page 1 of 4

current vector may assume any position within 3600 of the voltage vector.
Suppose we now divide the 3600 into four equal quadrants of 900 each, we
shall have four quadrants, and for import/export of active/reactive power, the
current vector can lie in any of the four quadrants. Let us call these quadrants
as Quadrant 1, 2, 3 & 4.
When the current vector is placed in any of these quadrants, it forms an angle
with respect to the voltage vector. The in-phase component of the current,
arrived at by considering the Cosine of the angle between the voltage & current
vectors is known as the active current. Multiplication of this active component
of the current with the voltage gives us the active power. The integration of the
active power with time gives us the active energy.
The quadrature component of the current, arrived at by considering the Sine of
the angle between the voltage & current vectors is known as the reactive
current. Multiplication of this reactive component of the current with the
voltage gives us the reactive power. The integration of the reactive power with
time gives us the reactive energy.
The point to emphasize is that the reference point or point of measurement is
critical in defining whether the power (both active or reactive) is imported or
exported, and it is with respect to the Voltage vector at this reference point
that the definitions are made.
The diagram shown below illustrates two positions of measurement and
defines the import and export of electricity in accordance to the above
definition.

Utility A

Utility B
A

B
Figure 1

Shown in the above example is a condition where power (in general) is flowing
from utility A to B.
At point A the power is being exported and at point B the power is being
imported. These import/export definitions are always with respect to the
voltage vectors at the respective points. Hence, to be able to measure the
import & export correctly, we have to see these with relation to the polarity of
current connections of the meter. Incorrect current connections at the meter
end will result in an export energy to be recorded as an import energy and
vice versa. There is therefore a need to check connections of meters carefully in
the field.

Power flow quadrants

It is now explained how the angle of 3600 can be divided into 4 quadrants of
900 each. The active/reactive power flow is defined as per these 4 quadrants
by IEC 62053-23, with the voltage at the measuring point taken as the reference
vector at vertical position shown as the 00 position.

Secure Meters Ltd

The 4 quadrants are illustrated in Figure 2 below. Illustrated in the diagram are
the vectorial position of the current with respect to the voltage to show what is
meant by import and export for active and reactive power (or energy).

The power flow quadrants as per IEC 62053-23 are shown in the figure 3.

V
PF:
Leading
/capacitive
Export Reactive Power

Import Active Power

Q1
PF: lagging/
Inductive

Q3
PF: lagging
/Inductive
Export Active Power

Figure 3

Import Reactive Power

Q2
PF:
Leading /
capacitive

Active energy
The loads are comprised of a combination of inductive load, resistive load and
capacitive load. The current vector can be maximum 90 away from the voltage
vector when the load is either inductive or capacitive. It is in-phase with
voltage when load is resistive.
When the angle between the voltage and active component of current is 00
degrees, the power flow is considered as active import. All energy recorded
by the energy meter for this type of power flow is recorded as import
energy.The current vector lies in either quadrant 1 or 2, active energy is being
consumed.. The quadrants defined in IEC for active energy import are 1 & 4 as
shown in figure 3.
When the angle between the voltage and active component of current is 1800
degrees, the power flow is considered as active export. All energy recorded
by the energy meter for this type of power flow is recorded as active export
energy. The current vector lies in either quadrant 3 or 4 active energy is being
generated. The quadrants defined in IEC for active energy export are 2&3 as
shown in figure 3.

Page 2 of 4

There can be two types of reactive power (or

energy), namely (i) capacitive power and (ii)
inductive power.
When the angle between the voltage and reactive
component of current is 900 degrees, the power
flow is considered as reactive import. All energy
recorded by the energy meter for this type of power
flow is recorded as import of reactive energy.
When the load (or power) is capacitive, the current
vector leads the voltage vector. The current vector
therefore lies in Quadrant 2 (or 3) depending on
whether the capacitive load is import or export, and
the quadrature component of the load current
(capacitive current) is either at a 900 angle or 2700
with respect to the voltage vector, as shown in
figure 2. This reactive energy is called Reactive
energy capacitive or simply Reactive energy lead.

Figure 2

Q4

Reactive energy

When the angle between the voltage and reactive

component of current is 2700 degrees, the power
flow is considered as reactive export. All energy
recorded by the energy meter for this type of power
flow is recorded as active export energy. When
the load (or power) is inductive, the current vector
is leads the voltage vector. The current vector lies in
Quadrant 1 (or 4) depending on whether the
inductive load is import or export, and the
quadrature component of the load current (reactive
current) is either at 2700 angle or 900 angle with
respect to the voltage vector as shown in figure2.
This reactive energy is called Reactive energy
Inductive energy or simply Reactive energy lag.
Reactive energy is always defined in association
with active energy. Thus reactive energy is defined
for each quadrant separately. Based on the
quadrant, reactive energy is either an import
reactive energy or an export reactive energy. The
form of reactive energies are defined as: Reference
Figure 2.
1. In Quadrant 1, active energy is considered as
import, reactive energy is also considered as
import. This is called reactive (inductive)
while active import. The power factor of this
type of load is a lagging power factor.
2. In Quadrant 2 active energy is considered as
import, but reactive energy is considered as
export. This is called reactive (capacitive)
while active import The power factor of this type
of load is a leading power factor.
3. In Quadrant 3 active energy is considered as
export, reactive energy is also considered as
export. This is called reactive (inductive)
while active export because this is a mirror
image of inductive import (of quadrant 1). The
power factor of this type of load is a lagging
power factor.

Secure Meters Ltd

4. In Quadrant 4 active energy is considered as

export, but reactive energy is considered as
import. This is called reactive (capacitive)
while active export because this is a mirror
image of reactive import (capacitive) (of
quadrant 2). The power factor of this type of
load is a leading power factor.
The quadrant definitions are as per IEC62053-23 is
shown in figure 3, and the energy definition is as
illustrated in Figure 2.

Apparent energy
Apparent energy is essential the product of the
scalar values of the voltage and current. Because
the current vectors can lie in any of the four
quadrants, it is not sufficient to define the apparent
energy as the product of voltage and current. For
every type of energy we need to define a direction to
state whether the energy is being imported or
exported, and the same is also needed for apparent
energy. Hence defining apparent energy is not as
simple as stating that it is the product of voltage &
current.
Apparent energy is the product of voltage & current
(scalar quantities) and is considered as apparent
import in case the current vector lies in Quadrant 1
or 2, and apparent export in case the current
vector lies in Quadrant 3 or 4.

As we have seen, different energies can be defined as Active, Reactive and

Apparent based on the direction of active energy and in relation to the
position of the voltage vector at the point of measurement. The following
energy registers are required to record them accordingly
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)

Active import
Active export
Reactive (inductive) while active import
Reactive (capacitive) while active import
Reactive (inductive) while active export
Reactive (capacitive) while active export
Apparent import (based on definition of apparent energy)
Apparent export (based on definition of apparent energy)

Energy registers
An example of a single tie line with generators and loads are shown in the fig 2.

Tie Line
Gen
Gen

A
Generator

100
kVAr

Load
Load

FIG. 4

The quantities measured by meters are the active

and reactive components of the current (with
angle). Hence, using these values the apparent
energy can be defined in two different ways, and it
is important to recognize that for each of these
definitions we shall get a different value for the
apparent power (or energy).
In the first definition, the apparent power can
either be defined as the Pythagoras Sum of sum of
inductive plus capacitive and the
corresponding active power .
In the second definition, the apparent can be
defined as the Pythagoras Sum of sum of
inductive component only and the
corresponding active power .
As both the definitions do not give the same
value for apparent power, the concept of having
apparent energy tariffs can be fraught with
misunderstanding. (There are of course many other
technical & commercial reasons why tariffs based
on apparent energy is illogical)
The Apparent power is called as import apparent
power when current vector lies in quadrants 1 or 2
as shown in figure 1. Apparent power in quadrant 3
and 4 is called as export apparent power, in
these quadrants active power is exported

Page 3 of 4

As shown above, various loads are connected to the system. These loads can be
inductive, capacitive, resistive or mixed. (Generally the loads are mixed with
some active & some reactive component, but in the reactive component they
may be either predominantly inductive or predominantly capacitive).
The lines (shown above as a tie-line) are generally long HT lines that have a
significant capacitance. The tie line capacitance for the above example is
assumed as 100 kVAr. The points marked as X are the locations where meters
are installed.
Lets consider point B as metering point and examine the different load
conditions. As meters are installed, the increment of the energy registers will
depend on the vectorial position of currents at metering point with respect to
their respective voltages.
Case -1 (The load at metering point B is predominantly inductive, but more
than the VARs generated by the tie-line)
When the load is inductive, it draws reactive power from the system (i.e. grid).
This reactive power requirement is met by capacitances in the system
(synchronous condensers, fixed/switched capacitors, generators supplying
VARs, capacitance of the lines etc.)

Secure Meters Ltd

If the reactive requirement of the inductive load is more than the reactive VARs
generated by the tie-line capacitance, the generator will start supplying
reactive energy to meet the reactive demand of the load. Under these
conditions the load and meter (at point B) will operate in quadrant 1 but the
generator (and the meter at point A in generator end) will operate in quadrant
3.
Suppose the capacitance of the tie-line (i.e. the 100 kVAr generated by the tieline) meets the reactive requirements of the load reactive power will flow from
the tie line to the load to meet the reactive demand and this will be measured
by the meter located at point B. It may be noted that there will be no reactive
flow towards the metering point located at A.
At Point B, active & reactive power is sensed as being imported and the
current vector will lie in Quadrant 2.
Case -2 (The load at metering point B is predominantly capacitive)
If the reactive requirement of the load is capacitive, the reactive VARs
generated by the tie-line and the capacitive reactive energy of the load will flow
towards the generator side. The meter connected at the generator end will
operate in quadrant 4 and the meter at metering point B will operate in
quadrant 2.
When the load is predominantly capacitive, reactive energy will flow from the
load into the system (grid). The tie line capacitance and load capacitance will
add up and flow towards the generator and become a reactive energy reserve
for the grid. This will lead to two conditions
(i)

(ii)

Either the generator absorbs the VARs by operating at a leading power

factor (i.e. endangering the stability of generator, as leading PF
operation is close to the stability limits)
Or, the voltage at the generator terminals (at Bus A) will rise sharply.

Under these conditions, at point B reactive power will flow from the tie line,
and sum of both load-end reactive power and tie line's reactive power will
flow towards the meter located at point A near the generator. The point B
(load end meter) will operate in Quadrant 2, and the point A meter will
operate in Quadrant 4.
The different conditions can be explained in the way stated above for other
quadrants as well, by assuming that the tie-line is predominantly inductive
instead of capacitive.

Page 4 of 4

Secure Meters Ltd