7/22/2017 Reactive Power and Compensation Solution Basics | EEP

Reactive Power and Compensation Solution

Basics For Students
Why we dont like reactive power
The total power, the so-called apparent power, of a transmission network is
composed of active and reactive power (Figure 1). While the power consumers
connected into supply transform the active power into active energy, the
reactive energy pertaining to the reactive power is not consumed. The reactive
power at the consumer side is merely used for building up a magnetic field, for
example, for operating electric motors, pumps, or transformers.

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Reactive power is generated when power is drawn

from the supply network and then fed back into the
network with a time delay.

Reactive Power and Compensation Solutions Basics For Students (photo credit:
eltrex.ro)

This way it oscillates between consumer and generator. This constitutes an

additional load on the network and requires greater dimensioning in order to
take up the oscillating reactive power in addition to the active power made
available. As a consequence, less active power can be transported.

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Figure 1 Composition of the total power of a transmission grid

Reactive power has zero average value because it pulsates up and down,
averaging to zero. Reactive power is measured as the maximum of the
pulsating power over a cycle. It can be positive or negative, depending on
whether current peaks before or after voltage.

By convention, reactive power, like real power, is

positive when it is supplied and negative when it is
consumed. Consuming reactive power lowers
voltage magnitudes, while supplying reactive
power increases voltage magnitudes.

Solution with compensation //

With a reactive power compensation system with power capacitors directly
connected to the low voltage network and close to the power consumer,
transmission facilities can be relieved as the reactive power is no longer
supplied from the network but provided by the capacitors (Figure 2).
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Figure 2 Principle of reactive power compensation using

low voltage power capacitors

Transmission losses and energy consumption are reduced and expensive

expansions become unnecessary as the same equipment can be used to
transmit more active power owing to reactive power compensation.

Determination of capacitor power

A system with the installed active power P is to be compensated from a

power factor cos 1 to a power factor cos 2. The capacitor power necessary
for this compensation is calculated as follows:

Qc = P (tan 1 tan 2)

Compensation reduces the transmitted apparent power S (see Figure 3).

Ohmic transmission losses decrease by the square of the currents.

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Figure 3 Power diagram for a non-compensated (1) and a compensated (2)

installation

Reactive power estimate

For industrial plants that are still in a configuring stage, it can be assumed by
approximation that the reactive power consumers are primarily AC induction
motors working with an average power factor cos 0.7. For compensation
to cos = 0.9, a capacitor power of approximately 50 % of the active power is
required:

Qc = 0.5 P

In infrastructural projects (offices, schools, etc.), the following applies:

Qc = 0.1 to 0.2 P

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Power Factor Correction

Calculation of the reactive power

(Based on the electricity bill)

For installations which are already running, the required capacitor power can be
determined by measuring. If active and reactive work meters are available, the
demand of capacitor power can be taken from the monthly electricity bill.

tan = reactive work / active work

For identical meter operating times in the measurement of reactive and

active work //

tan = reactive power Q / active power P with

tan = (1 cos2 ) / cos

The compensation power Qc matching the active power P can be

calculated for a desired value of cos 2.

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Qc = Q1 Q2 = P F

In this case F = tan 1 tan 2

To simplify the calculation of Qc, Table 1 states the conversion factors F when
a measured cos 1 is to be compensated in order to attain a power factor cos
2 in operation.

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Table 1 Conversion factors F for phase angle adjustments

3 main types of compensation //

Capacitors can be used for single, group, and central compensation. These
types of compensation will be introduced in the following //
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Single compensation

In single compensation, the capacitors are directly connected to the

terminals of the individual power consumers and switched on together with
them via a common switching device. Here, the capacitor power must be
precisely adjusted to the respective consumers. Single compensation is
frequently used for induction motors (Figure 4).

Figure 4 Single
compensation

Single compensation is economically favourable for:

Large individual power consumers

Constant power demand
Long ON times

Here, load is taken off the feeder lines to the power consumers. A
continuous adjustment of the capacitor power to its reactive power
demand is not possible, however.

Group compensation
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With group compensation, each compensation device is assigned to a

consumer group. Such a consumer group may consist of motors or discharge
lamps, for example, which are connected into supply together through a
contactor or switch. In this case, special switching devices for connecting the
capacitors are not required either (Figure 5).

Figure 5 Group
compensation

Group compensation has the same advantages

and disadvantages as single compensation.

Central compensation

Reactive power control units are used for central compensation, which are
directly assigned to a switchgear unit, distribution board, or sub-distribution
board and centrally installed there. Control units contain switchable capacitor
branch circuits and a controller which acquires the reactive power present at
the feed-in location.

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Figure 6 Central compensation

If it deviates from the set-point, the controller

switches the capacitors on or off step by step
via contactors.

The capacitor power is chosen in such a way that the entire installation reaches
the desired cos (Figure 6). Central compensation is recommended in case
of:

Many small power consumers connected into supply

Different power demands and varying ON times of the power consumers

References //

Planning of Electric Power Distribution by SIEMENS

Principles for Efficient and Reliable Reactive Power Supply and
Consumption by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

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About Author //

Edvard Csanyi

Edvard - Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly

specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking
(<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry fascilities.
Professional in AutoCAD programming. Present on Google+

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