Power quality improvement in a landmark museum project in Egypt

The Grand Egyptian Museum improved power quality by reducing THDi from approximately 24% to around 8%, helping protect sensitive exhibition equipment and achieve IEEE 519-2014 compliance.

Segment background

Modern museums rely on advanced lighting, HVAC systems, and digital technologies to create controlled and immersive environments. In large facilities, extensive use of LED lighting and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) introduces non-linear loads that can generate harmonic distortion. These disturbances can affect equipment performance, weaken electrical efficiency, and disrupt the precise climate conditions required to protect valuable artifacts. Reliable power quality is essential to ensure smooth operation and safeguard both visitors and collections.

Challenges at the customer’s museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum, the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization, required a highly reliable electrical infrastructure to support its extensive exhibition spaces, advanced lighting systems, and modern HVAC systems. The facility relied heavily on variable frequency drives and LED lighting, which together caused elevated levels of current harmonic distortion. Before corrective actions, the site recorded THDi levels of about 24%. This created unnecessary stress on equipment and posed challenges for meeting required power quality standards.

Merus^® Solution

ETA Electric, Merus Power’s trusted local sales partner in Egypt, conducted detailed on-site power-quality measurements to identify the root causes of the disturbances. Their analysis highlighted the need for a robust, scalable harmonic mitigation solution to ensure stable operation across the museum’s sensitive exhibition areas.

Based on the findings, a Merus^® A2-Active Harmonic Filter system was recommended. The final setup consisted of three 200-amp modules and one 150-amp module, providing the right balance of capacity, performance, and room for future load variation. The customer placed their trust in ETA Electric’s expertise and accepted their proposal to implement the Merus^® Solution.

Results after installation

Once commissioned, the Merus^® A2 system reduced THDi from roughly 24% to around 8%. This significant improvement enhanced equipment reliability and ensured compliance with IEEE 519-2014 harmonic standards. With stable, cleaner power, the museum’s electrical network now operates more efficiently across all showroom areas. The combination of Merus^® Technology and ETA Electric’s strong local support delivered long-term electrical stability for one of Egypt’s most important cultural sites. The Grand Egyptian Museum now operates on a dependable and efficient power system that protects sensitive equipment, contributes to energy performance, and strengthens the visitor experience across the entire facility.