Energy Saving by Power Factor Correction: Application to Qatar Industries

Abstract

Abstract The industrial power distribution networks of the State of Qatar would have inductive loads at low power factor. These distribution networks experience increase in power losses especially during the peak summer period. Low power factor is most commonly corrected by connecting shunt VAR compensation such as shunt capacitors bank at the desired location to perform the power factor correction. The power factor correction using shunt capacitors bank produce economic saving in capital expenditures through the reduction of power losses through the distribution network. This paper presents a practical case study of power factor correction for an 11 kV industrial distribution network in the State of Qatar. The network model has been developed using EDSA professional power system software. The energy after adding the shunt capacitors (i.e. after power factor correction) has been determined from the power flow solutions. The on-site measurements have been conducted and the measurements have been verified b...