A Case Study on Improvement of Power Factor of an Industrial Load

The ability of power utilities to provide a stable power flow within the specified voltage and frequency range is a critical aspect of power system operation. In an electrical power system with a high reactive load, a power factor closer to one is a strong predictor of overall power quality. A poor power factor results in considerable power losses higher utility rates and requires the electric power utility to meet high maximum demand. So, improving the power factor is one of the most effective ways to maintain electrical power quality while also delivering several additional benefits. This article describes research conducted at an industrial site to improve power factor by integrating a capacitor bank and a comprehensive implementation of the technical and economic benefits of power factor improvement. A simulation interface is used to model and analyze the electrical network of the site with the motor loads. The capacitor bank’s size, type, and connected duration to the system are determined by analyzing the site’s power factor, active power, and reactive power values. The findings demonstrate that the suggested 130 kVAr capacitor bank can successfully increase the power factor by 4% while reducing power factor overcorrection. Furthermore, the results indicate a payback period of 16 months can be expected with monthly savings of 52470 LKR.