To meet Europe’s aim of carbon-neutrality by 2050 involves an increased use of renewable energy. The power industry is investing heavily in renewable energy facilities, and interconnected distribution grids to meet the production imbalances. Introduction of converters for small-scale generation and other highly nonlinear power electronic devices to the grid decreases the power quality, and higher precision in grid monitoring is needed. Existing quantum standards are usable up to 1 kHz, while the bandwidth needed for power quality measurements goes up to 75 kHz. Thermal transfer standards measure AC voltages up to 100 kHz but traceability to the SI is complex and lacks information on harmonic content – important as network devices such inverters generate multi-tonal signals. Quantum DC standards provide direct traceability to the SI and can measure real spectral components up to 1 kHz. For measuring the voltages required by grid operators these require adapting to AC voltages with increased bandwidth, which is technically too challenging for a single metrology institute.

This project brings together emerging and advanced European metrology institutes to develop a wideband quantum-based voltmeter operating at frequencies up to 100 kHz. Three quantum systems will be developed, and their performance validated through international comparisons. Descriptions of the new wideband quantum systems, open-source data processing algorithms, and control software will be delivered, providing know-how and improving the European metrology network for AC measurements. With reduced measurement uncertainties in AC voltage over a wide frequency range these will provide simplified calibration methods compared to current thermal standards.

This will advance quantum metrology capability in Europe and, through the improved waveform measurements, aid the integration of renewables into existing power networks and help Europe in its climate goals.