POWER COMPENSATION

Power Compensation

Why do we need Power Compensation ?

An Alstom Grid company

Power factor correction

Connected equipment (transformers, motors, air-conditioning, refrigerators, etc.)
cause a phase angle between current and voltage. When the current is phase-shifted,
it takes more current to deliver the same amount of active power.
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Voltage and current

should be like this... but are like that.

(maximum active power) (deteriorated active power)

1,5 1,5
1 1
0,5 0,5
0 0
-0,5 -0,5
-1 -1
-1,5 -1,5
Voltage Current Voltage Current

Power factor = Active power / Apparent power

Dephasing between

= <
current and voltage
decreases the active
power (only the active
power is converted
Active Apparent Active into useful mechanical
Power = Power Power < Apparent
Power power).

Impact of reactive power
• Transmission equipment has to be sized for the
apparent power, yet only active power is useful
• Increased losses in the network
• You pay for apparent power but use active
power (higher electricity bill)
• Penalty fees to customers with a low power
factor (example < 0.95)
Customer Benefits
Who • Money Savings
• Power consumers, network operators, power • More power
supplier, power industry, hospitals, offices, • Less CO2
public buildings, factories • A range of products based
Solution on field-proven experience
• The power factor of a facility can be improved
by installing capacitor banks

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 POWER COMPENSATION

Why do we need Power Compensation?

Harmonic filtering
Variable speed drives (process industries, uninterruptible power supplies for computers,
lifts, air conditioning pumps, etc.), electronic equipment, etc. distort the current
(introduce harmonics).

Current
should be like this... but is like that. Impact of harmonics on transmission /
distribution equipment
• Additional losses (paid for by the end user)
• Heating in power cables
Current (Amps)
Current (Amps)

• Audible noise (transformers)

Impact of harmonics
on equipment connected

Time (ms) • Decreased machine efficiency and lifetime

Time (ms) Current oscillogram before filtration • Costly process shutdowns
• Disturbed electronic equipment
(computers, telephones)

Who
• Power consumers, network operators, power
supplier, power industry

Solution
• Harmonics can be filtered through a
combination of reactors and capacitors
(passive filtering) or by injecting the exact
opposite of the harmonics detected (active
filter) into the network

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 POWER COMPENSATION

Series Compensation
Long overhead lines cause the voltage to
drop along the line. More current is needed to
deliver the same power.

Voltage
should be like this... but is like that.

Voltage Voltage

Impact
• Decreased useful power
• Aditional losses (network power losses are
proportional to the square of the current)
• Reduced transmission capacity of the
overhead line
Who
• Transmission utilities
Solution
• Voltage could be increased with the help of
capacitor banks connected in series

Main Advantages
• Today, Alstom Grid is the only international
company to provide both air-core reactors and
capacitors, the key elements for medium and
high voltage reactive power compensation
solutions

• We analyze the electrical installation of our

customers (industries or utilities) to propose
and supply the most suitable compensation
solution

• Complete solutions have been designed and

manufactured by our Tampere (Finland) unit for
more than 50 years (Nokian Capacitors factory
acquired by Alstom Grid in January 2008).
We currently carry out this activity also in
Brazil, Mexico and China

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of such data or the achievements of any projected performance criteria where these are indicated. No liability is accepted for any reliance placed upon the information contained in this brochure. Alstom reserves the right to revise or change these data at any time without
and other data contained in this document are provided for information only. Neither Alstom, its officers nor employees accept responsibility for or should be taken as making any representation or warranty (whether express or implied) as to the accuracy or completeness
« Power Quality
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Benefits of power factor correction
German example
By decreasing the electrical losses in the transmission and distribution
networks, and hence reducing the emissions of CO2, this technology is
making an active contribution to reducing global warming.

Benefits of power factor correction

9 billion kWh • Power factor correction reduced network
36,4 losses in Germany in 1999 by 9 billion kWh (5.1 million ton of CO2)
billion 4,3 billion kWh
kWh • With the maximum possible use of power factor correction, there is the
27,4 potential for a further reduction in network losses of 4.3 billion kWh
billion
kWh 23,1 • An additional improvement can be obtained by harmonic filtering,
billion avoiding harmonic currents flowing in the network
kWh
Source: German electrical and electronic manufacturers’ association – September 2003

No Partial Full
correction correction correction
(status quo)

Current-dependent network losses (1999 values)

Power Compensation brings

Economic benefits Environmental benefits
• Saving the costs of reactive power • Reduced CO2 emissions
• Additional savings through reduced active power losses Customers see environmental benefits through energy savings and
• Reduction in investment cost more efficient power systems

Return on investment is generally By saving millions of tons of CO2,

below 18 months. power compensation makes
an active contribution to protecting
the environment

Alstom Grid Worldwide Contact Centre

www.grid.alstom.com/contactcentre
Tel: +44 (0) 1785 250 070
www.grid.alstom.com
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