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Capacitor Banks in Power System Part Four
Capacitor Banks in Power System Part Four
http://electrical- engineering- portal.com/capacitor- banks- in- power- system- part- four December 8, 2012
Alternator capability curve - Green area is normal operating range of a typical synchronous machine, yellow is abnormal but not damaging and operating in red regional will cause damage or misoperation.
Continued from technical article: Capacit or Banks In Power Syst em (part t hree)
1. Apprehension that the DG set may get over loaded due to the fact that the kVA rating or current delivered by the DG set is generally considered as the indicator of output of DG set. It is well known that use of capacitors will reduce the kVAR requirement from DG and hence kVA requirement will go down which in turn will reduce the current drawn from the DG set and could thus tempt the to add more loads on a given DG set. . 2. The other reason for such an opinion is related to the risks arising due to sustained leading power factor conditions that would occur with the use of fixed capacitors in variable load situations. However with meticulous application of PF correction capacitor we can improve the overall efficiency of DG set operation and result in considerable economic benefits to the DG set user. This article tries to analyze the same in the following paragraphs.
exceeded. Let us consider an example for the same: ** Any industry has a 1000 kVA DG set which is loaded at an average of 600 kW at 0.7 PF. In addition, there are 125 kW of other loads within the same installation, which are not loaded on the DG set due to capacity restrictions that arise during occurrence of short-term peak loads, such as motor starting, and intermittent welding load. Due to this, productivity in the Industry is lowered when the DG Set is in operation. During the period when Utility supply is available all loads can be operated. Is it possible to improve productivity when DG Set is in operation? ** A well designed power factor correction capacitor bank panel can improve the cost of electricity consumed from utility as well as improve productivity when DG Set is in operation. DG rated capacity = 1000 kVA kW of load connected to DG = 600 kW Average load power factor in industry where DG is installed = 0.7 kVA drawn at normal condition = 600 / 0.7 = 857 kVA Hence percentage load on DG without Capacitor bank = 857 /1000 = 85.7% Now if we connect the suitably sized and designed (already discussed in part 1 t o 3) capacitor bank in parallel to the loads connected to DG and improve the average overall load power factor from 0.7 to 0.85 than for the same percentage loading of 85.7% that is 857kVA the active power that can be drawn is = 857 x 0.85 = 728.45 kW Hence one can see the moment capacitor bank is connected in parallel to the loads connected to the DG the additional requirement of 125kW is comfortably met without exceeding the percentage loading on DG. During the period when the Industry is using supply from the Utility the Capacitor banks system can ensure consistently high PF, thereby achieving demand savings and reduction in losses and elimination of any PF penalty. Consequently, cost of electricity consumed from the EB will be minimized. The same Capacitor banks system can be also used when the Industry is using supply from the DG set. The fast acting property of the Capacitor banks system will reduce the peak load requirements that are to be met from the DG set. This is achieved by providing instantaneous compensation from the Capacitor banks system during conditions when motors are started and / or welding machines are being operated. This will enable the Industry to transfer the 125 kW of additional load on to the DG set and ensure that productivity is improved when the DG set is in operation. Due to better loading, the DG set efficiency will improve as for same 857 kVA ; Active power now delivered is now 728.45 kW instead of 600 kW. REACTIVE POWER COMPENSATION SYSTEMS by Capacitor Banks can enable D.G set users to reconfigure their loads / D.G sets to achieve better percentage loading and efficiency on the machines. As a result reduction in cost / kWh can be attained.