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Power factor correction - reducing electrical charges
Many companies are paying surcharges on their electrical bills for items such as Reactive and capacity charges. Once the EnviroVAr power factor correction system is installed it will reduce and eliminate these charges and payback is usually within 1 to 2 years.
The EnviroVAr power factor correction. provides effective reactive power compensation for all industrial, commercial and large retail environments where excess charges are being applied and or where current availability is limited and the cost of a replacement transformer or increased supply is prohibitive.
Please find below the technical explanations:
Financial Benefits of Power Factor Correction
- Reduction in kVA required to supply a given kW load means that initial capital expenditure can be reduced, as the primary distribution network components (transformers, switchgear etc.) can be reduced in rating and hence Cost.
- Reduction in losses in distribution equipment due to reduced demand on the supply is reflected in the kWh usage for the site. Whilst this reduction in kWh consumption may at first appear to be small, it can amount to between 1% and 3% of the total consumption, with the associated savings in electricity charges.
- The tariff under which charges are made for electricity may include items which relate directly or indirectly to poor power factor. These are usually specific to the consumer, and hence generalizations are difficult. Items falling into this category which may be affected include Authorized Supply Capacity, Metered Monthly Maximum Demand, and Reactive Unit charges.
Physical Benefits of Power Factor Correction
The reduction in demand on the supply from the installation of Power Factor Correction equipment results in:
- ‘Spare’ supply capacity which may be used to connect additional load without the necessity of network reinforcement.
- Reduced losses and hence reduced heating in transformers, cables and switchgear, increasing reliability, useful service life, and reducing servicing costs.
- Reduction in reactive power demand from the supply improves voltage regulation, as to a first approximation, the voltage drop in a supply network is proportional to the reactive power supplied by that network ( D V @ QX, where D V is the voltage drop, Q the reactive power demand, and X the system reactance).
- An increase in Power Quality, as the presence of a large capacitor bank gives significant attenuation of mains borne voltage spikes, and can also reduce the effects of short duration dips or notches in the supply voltage.
- Reduction in distribution system losses means that fewer kWh are required from the electricity generators, resulting in lower carbon dioxide emissions.
EnviroVAr systems are available as both “standard” systems and also as “detuned” systems with additional inductive reactive filters to limit harmonic currents within a circuit. For a full understanding of these systems go to the links above and then contact your local EMS (European) representative to arrange a site survey to best advise you as to how you can benefit from effective power factor correction