Some of the most remarkable issues related to interharmonic theory and modeling are presented. Starting from the basic definitions and concepts, attention is first devoted to interharmonic sources. Then, the interharmonic assessment is considered with particular attention to the problem of the frequency resolution and of the computational burden associated with the analysis of periodic steady-state waveforms. Finally, modeling of different kinds of interharmonic sources and the extension of the classical models developed for power system harmonic analysis to include interharmonics are discussed. Numerical results for the issues presented are given with references to case studies constituted by popular schemes of adjustable speed drives.

This paper proposes an impedance-based analytical method for modeling and analysis of harmonic interactions between the grid and aggregated distributed generation (DG) inverters. The root cause of harmonic interaction/resonance problems is the impedance-network quasi-resonance between the effective output impedance of the inverter and the equivalent grid impedance at the connection point. Starting with the output impedance modeling of an inverter, a Norton model of the inverter is derived. Comparing with the switching model and the average model of the inverter, simulation results show the effectiveness of the model. This paper proposes that impedance limits should be specified and used as an extra design constraint for DG inverters in order to minimize the harmonic distortion impact on the grid. Assuming the impedance models of individual inverters and local loads within a distribution grid are known, especially in the case of new grids under construction, harmonic interactions between the grid and a certain number of DG inverters can be preliminarily estimated.

The Hilbert-Huang method is presented with modifications, for time-frequency analysis of distorted power quality signals. The empirical mode decomposition (EMD) is enhanced with masking signals based on fast Fourier transform (FFT), for separating frequencies that lie within an octave. Further, the instantaneous frequency and amplitude of the constituent modes obtained by Hilbert spectral analysis are improved by demodulation. The method shows promising time-frequency-magnitude localization capabilities for distorted power quality signals. The performance of the new technique is compared with that of another multiresolution analysis tool, the S-transform-a phase corrected wavelet transform. Analysis on actual measurements of transformer inrush current from an existing laboratory setup is used to demonstrate this technique.

This paper presents a review with a concise description and analysis of the fundamentals, characteristics, analytical details, merits, and drawbacks associated with existing methods in frequency and time domain for harmonic analysis in practical power networks. The description and analysis are centered on methods developed in the harmonic domain, hybrid frequency-time domain, and time domain, respectively. Validation of the reviewed methods for harmonic analysis, against one of the widely accepted digital simulators, such as EMTP, EMTDC, or MATLAB/SIMULINK, is reported in the cited individual contributions.