Break Through Projects/Case Study;

Distribution Reform Upgrades and Management Project (DRUM)

Title of Study

--- Installation of 11 KV, 0.6 MVAR Line Capacitors On 11 KV Feeders

Site Address

--- Aurangabad Urban Division-I, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited

Period of Study --- Jul 2008 to Dec 2008 Rating --

Content 1. Introduction 2. Scheme 3. Implementations 4. Results 5. Cost Benefit Analysis 6. Lessons Learnt and Conclusions

Page Nos 3 5 6 7 8 9 9

7. Guidelines for Repeatability in other Distribution Areas - Benefits - Challenges - Key Pitfalls/precautions

1. INTRODUCTION

Reactive power compensation is defined as the management of reactive power to improve the performance of alternating-current (ac) power systems. In general, the problem of reactive power compensation is related to load and voltage support. In load support the objectives are to increase the value of the system power factor, to balance the real power drawn from the ac supply, to enhance voltage regulation, and to eliminate current harmonic components produced by large and fluctuating nonlinear industrial loads. Voltage support is generally required to reduce voltage fluctuation at a given terminal of a transmission line. Reactive power compensation in transmission systems also improves the stability of the ac system by increasing the maximum active power that can be transmitted. In electric power distribution system, most of the electrical equipments connected release certain amount of reactive power in the network. Thus the electrical lines/feeders carry active power as well considerable amount of reactive power. Unlike true power, reactive power is not useful power because it is stored in the circuit itself. In electric power distribution, shunt capacitors are used for power factor correction. Such capacitors often come as three capacitors connected as a three phase load. Usually, the values of these capacitors are given not in farads but rather as a reactive power in volt-amperes reactive (VAr). The purpose is to counteract inductive loading from devices like electric motors and transmission lines to make the load appear to be mostly resistive. The advantages of installation of these capacitors are as below: Reactive component of the network is reduced and so also the total current in the system I2R power losses are reduced in the system because of reduction in current Voltage level at the load end is increased KVA loading on the source generators as also the transformers and lines upto the capacitors reduces giving capacity relief. A high power factor can help in utilizing the full capacity of your electrical system

When reactive power is provided only by power plants, each system components (i.e., generators, transformers, transmission lines and distribution feeders, switch-gear, and protective equipments) has to be increased in size accordingly. Capacitors can mitigate these conditions by decreasing the reactive power demand all the way back to the generators. Line currents are reduced from capacitors locations all the way back to the generation equipment. As a result, losses and loadings are reduced in distributions feeders, substation transformers, and transmission lines. Depending upon the uncorrected power factor of the system, the installation of shunt capacitors can increase generator and substation capability of additional load at least 30 percent, and can increase individual circuit capability, from the voltage regulation point of view, approximately 30 to 100 percent. Furthermore, the current reduction in transformer and distribution equipment and lines reduces the load on these kilovolt ampere-limited apparatus. In general, the economic benefits force capacitor banks to be installed on the

primary distribution network rather than on the secondary. The methods used by the utilities to determine the economic benefits derived from the installation of capacitors vary from company to company, but the determination of the total installed cost of a kilovar of shunt capacitors is easy and straightforward. In general, the economic benefits that can be derived from capacitor installation can be summarized as: Benefits due to released generation capacity Benefits due to released transmission capacity Benefits due to released distribution substation capacity Benefits due to reduced voltage drops (voltage improvement) Benefits due to released feeder capacity Benefits due to reduced energy losses

2. SCHEME At the time of preparation of DPR of DRUM Project for MSEDCLs Aurangabad Urban Division No.I, there were 41 Nos. of 11 KV Feeders catering the load of the area. Out of them, sample 6 nos of feeders listed below from different localities were chosen for installation of switched Capacitor Banks of 0.6 MVAR capacity. They are tabulated below

Sr.No

Name of Feeder Aurangpura

11

KV

Name of emanating

S/S

from

which

Remarks

33/11 KV Power House

Mainly catering residential, commercial, industrial and street lighting loads in urban area Mainly catering residential, commercial, industrial and street lighting loads in urban area Mainly catering residential, commercial, industrial and street lighting loads in urban area Catering residential, commercial, industrial, street lighting loads and agricultural pumping load. Catering residential, commercial, industrial, street lighting loads and agricultural pumping load Catering residential, commercial, industrial, street lighting loads and agricultural pumping load

Cantonment

33/11 KV Chhawani

Residential

132/11 KV Waluj

Town-8

132/11 KV Harsool

Golwadi

33/11 KV Railway Station

Kanchanwadi

33/11 KV Railway Station

In order to reduce the line losses and to improve the line efficiency, installation of switched capacitor banks of 0.6 MVAR capacity on the above feeders is envisaged in the DPR of DRUM Project. This exercise is on sample basis. Switched capacitors are proposed since the loads on these feeders vary during the period of 24 hours daily. The equipment consists of a set of 3 capacitor units each of 0.2 MVAR capacity connected to each phase. A vacuum contactor switch of 11 KV, 400 Amp rating suitable for 50 Amp of capacitive current is provided for on-load switching on and off the capacitor. The control is based

on self powered controller placed in the switch, which offers excellent performance under different voltage and current levels.

3. IMPLEMENTATION The work of installation of the capacitor banks on above mentioned six 11 KV feeders was carried out by M/s L & T Ltd. through turnkey contract at a total cost of Rs 18.997 Lakhs as against the DPR estimated cost of Rs 15.445 Lakhs. The 11 KV capacitor bank along with automatic power factor control switch is mounted on double pole structure as can be seen in the picture given below:

4. RESULTS The data of all 6 feeders on which the capacitor banks were installed is as below:

Sr No 1

Particulars

Residential Feeder 150 Amps

Cantonment Feeder 130 Amps

Town-8 Feeder 100 Amps

Golwadi Feeder 60 Amps

Kanchanwadi Feeder 60 Amps

Aurangpura Feeder 105 Amps

Remarks

Line current without capacitor bank Line current with capacitor bank Reduction current in

133 Amps

111 Amps

82 Amps

48 Amps

46 Amps

89 Amps

17 Amps

19 Amps

18 Amps 18.00%

12 Amps 20.00%

14 Amps

16 Amps

Percentage reduction in current Power Factor without capacitor bank Power Factor with capacitor bank

11.33%

14.61%

23.33%

15.24%

0.85

0.87

0.83

0.83

0.80

0.85

0.95

0.95

0.93

0.94

0.92

0.95

Percentage improvement in P.F.

11.76%

9.20%

12.05%

13.25%

15.00%

11.76%

It can be seen from the above that reduction in current is about 11-15 percent in feeders catering to purely urban localities and 18-23 percent in feeders catering to urban-cum-rural localities.

5. COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS The monetary benefit derived from installation of the capacitors can be calculated by evaluating total reduction in energy losses i.e. energy saved. The benefits available in the distriburion system is only considered as the transmission network is not owned by Mahadiscom. The calculations are tabulated below:

Sl No 1

Particulars

Residential Feeder 150

Cantonment Feeder 130

Town-8 Feeder 100

Golwadi Feeder 60

Kanchanwadi Feeder 60

Aurangpura Feeder 105

Line current without capacitor bank in Amps Line current with capacitor bank in Amps Current Amps Reduction in

133

111

82

48

46

89

17

19

18

12

14

16

P.F. Without capacitor bank P.F. bank With capacitor

0.85

0.87

0.83

0.83

0.80

0.85

0.95

0.95

0.93

0.94

0.92

0.95

Demand without capacitor bank in KVA Demand with capacitor bank in KVA Reduction Demand in KVA

2858

2477

1905

1143

1143

2000

2534

2115

1562

914

876

1696

324

362

343

229

267

304

9 10

% Reduction in Demand Type of Line conductor

11.34 ACSR Weasel 6.0 631.13

14.61 ACSR Mink

18.00 ACSR Mink 4.5 161.34

20.03 ACSR Weasel 4.0 113.34

23.36 ACSR Weasel 7.0 227.12

15.20 ACSR Weasel 4.3 291.82

11 12

Length of Line in KMs Energy loss reduction on 11 KV side per day in KWH Saving per day taking average Power purchase rate as Rs. 2.30

3.0 150.34

13

1451.59

345.78

371.07

260.69

522.38

671.19

14

Total savings per month from all the six feeders Rs.108681.20

15

Total Cost of Capacitor Banks

6 Rs. 1899700

16

Pay back period Assumption

17.5 Months

Working hours of Capacitor Banks are assumed as 8 hours in a day.

6. CONCLUSION As the results show, the installation of switched capacitor banks definitely improve power factor, reduce line loss, improve voltage profile and enhance the line efficiency. MSEDCL should consider installation of these capacitor banks not only on all the remaining feeders in Aurangabad city but also throughout the State. 7. GUIDELINES FOR REPEATABILITY IN OTHER DISTRIBUTION AREAS a. Benefits:- Cost benefits of installation of above capacitor banks are:a) Reduced kVA (Maximum demand) charges in utility bill b) Reduced distribution losses (KWH) within the plant network c) Better voltage at motor terminals and improved performance of motors d) A high power factor eliminates penalty charges imposed when operating with a low power factor e) Investment on system facilities such as transformers, cables, switchgears etc for de for delivering load is reduced. Looking at the multiple benefits at reasonable cost, the DISCOMs throughout the country and other power utilities can consider using these switched capacitor banks in their distribution networks. Moreover the installation and operation of these capacitor does not require any special skill. b. Challenges:- Execution of project is simple. However the staff should be suitably trained for correct operational procedure for switching on and off of the banks. Also periodical maintenance of the equipment is to be carried out strictly as recommended by the manufacturer for trouble free operation c. Key pitfalls/precautions:- Regular monitoring of healthiness and working of the capacitor banks is necessary for reaping the benefits. The feeder peak loads and their durations to be correctly assessed and accordingly the current setting to be chosen wisely in order to derive optimum benefits on account of reactive compensation.