Application of Capacitor to Distribution System for Minimization of Power Looses

Abstract

Generating reactive power in a power plant and delivering the load over long distances is not economically acceptable, but this reactive power is simply provided by capacitors or excited motors in the load centers. The distribution system usually has two main problems, high power loss and poor voltage profile. One of the reasons for low power factor losses is that if the power factor is low, the current will increase and as a result there will be additional losses of active power in all elements of the energy system. One way to minimize technical losses and improve the voltage profile is the optimal location or installation of capacitor banks in the distribution system. This paper describes the static and dynamic effects of placing capacitor banks on busbars of a 20 kV system in distribution systems using measurements and tests performed before and after the installation of capacitor banks 3.42 MVAr and capacitor banks 2.16 MVAr systems. Load analysis is performed to predict the magnitude of the supply current, power factor, voltage levels and total losses in the system branches. The size of the capacitor batteries is also designed to maintain an acceptable power factor.