Why is Reactive Power Control Important?

[Nerdan]

Reactive power control is of paramount importance for commercial businesses and industrial facilities. To express this importance more clearly, it is first necessary to look at what it consists of and what effects it produces.

What are Active and Magnetic Power?

Looking at the use of electrical energy, it is seen to consist of two factors. The first of these is the Active Power that does the work, and the Magnetic field generated during this flow. Motors and transformers, which are among the applications of electricity, require an inductive load. To create the magnetic field in this working area, they draw reactive power from the grids. This drawn reactive power, without being converted into useful work, causes unnecessary current circulation on the grid.

The situation described above will lead to energy losses in the grid lines, a decrease in the efficiency of the equipment operating on these lines, and a drop in voltage. Due to these consequences, energy distribution companies impose a certain reactive power consumption limit on businesses, and if this limit is exceeded, they apply a penalty.

Reactive Power Limits and Ratios in Turkey

In our country, these limitations are determined as follows: In businesses with an installed power of 50kVA and above, inductive reactive consumption cannot exceed 20% of active energy, and capacitive reactive consumption cannot exceed 15% of active energy. If it exceeds these limits, the distribution company will apply a penalty.

Why is Reactive Power Compensation Necessary?

Industrial facilities and businesses must pay attention to the ratios mentioned above due to their high electricity consumption. Differences that may occur in heavy usage mean paying high penalties. To prevent such energy losses and thus penalties, Reactive Power Compensations are needed.

What is Compensation?

Compensation is the addition of capacitive reactive power to the system via capacitors to balance the power drawn by inductive loads. Within the operation created with a compensation panel, automatic guidance is provided with the help of capacitors and a reactive power control relay. The relay instantly monitors the system's power needs, engaging or disengaging the capacitors.

What are the Advantages of Reactive Power Control?

As stated above, reactive power control, in addition to preventing penalties, increases the efficiency of the electrical system and reduces energy losses. Besides all these, it also supports the long-term operation of equipment fed from the grid, while also helping to reduce costs.