BEAMA

22 February 2012

A new Introduction to Power Factor Correction Guide produced by the BCMA and ECA has been released providing fundamental principals and key selection criteria when considering the installation of Power Factor Correction equipment to save energy, reduce losses and hence reduce CO2 emissions. Example data provided also demonstrates the financial savings available.

In installations with reactive loads, Power Factor Correction (PFC) can:

i) Significantly reduce or eliminate Excess Reactive Power charges.

ii) Reduce maximum demand (kVA): providing potential reduction of Authorised Supply Capacity and corresponding costs. Also, in many cases costly distribution infrastructure up-grade can be avoided.

iii) Reduce system losses and voltage drop; improving performance and reducing energy consumption (kWh) and CO2 emissions.

A recent report commissioned by BCMA suggests that savings of up to 146kg of CO2 per annum could be saved for each kVAr of PFC installed, as opposed to 105kg as previously calculated.

A new Technical Bulletin quantifies the Effect of Low Voltage Power Factor Correction on Losses and CO₂ Emissions in the UK Transmission and Distribution System.

In April 2010 all UK mainland Distribution Network Operators (DNO’s) adopted a common methodology for applying “Use of System” charges (CDCM); this includes a charge for Excess Reactive Power based on every kVArh in excess of 33% of kWh consumption in each half hour period. This charge applies to both Imported (lagging) and Exported (leading) kVArh units. Essentially, a power factor of 0.95 or better should be maintained at all times and load conditions.

Traditionally PFC equipment has been applied as fixed or automatic multi-stage compensation (or a combination of both). The CDCM has made dimensioning the correct equipment much more complex and fixed type compensation may not necessarily be financially viable for sites with a non continuous load profile unless applied to specific loads.

BCMA are working with the energy providers to ensure that consumers have full information regarding power factor correction and losses on their installations.