Real-Time Power Factor Monitoring and

PROJECT TITLE
Improvement for Household and Small
Industrial Loads Connected to Weak Bus
System

DEPARTMENT AND Department of Electrical Engineering

SPECIALIZTAION (Power Engineering)

STUDENT NAME Faheem Ali

FATHERS NAME Ihsan Ali

CONTACT NO. 03469000030

EMAIL faheem@uetpeshawar.edu.pk
Registration No 08PWELE3436

Date of Registration.
RESEARCH SUPERVISOR Prof. Dr. Mohammad Naeem Arbab

CO-SUPERVISOR (IF ANY)

1. Introduction

In Pakistan, we are faced with the energy crises is a bitter truth, where the generation is
not meeting our consumption demands, . As a thus resulting we are faced with in load
shedding and scheduled outages. The Ttechnical Losses and tTheft has made the situation
even worse. Moreover, Tthe distribution system is outdated and overstressed where most
of the transformers are overload especially in summers where the air-conditioning and
refrigeration load is considerably high [1, 2]. Poor power quality on a weak grid
infrastructure has not only contributed to reactive power losses but has affected the
overall system efficiency [3]. The loads connected to electrical network with poor power
factor tends to draw more current which may might exceed the rated current of the
equipment in poor power factor scenarios and thus threatens the equipments operating
life span of such loads [4]. The main cause of poor power factor is the inadequate supply
of reactive power, and thus the system isthat results in an overstressed and under
overburdened system.
It has been observed that most of the industrial loads and some of the residential loads are
highly inductive in nature such as motors, air conditioners, drives, welding, machines, arc
furnaces, fluorescent lights, etc [5]. Such loads when connected under stressed conditions
to a weak tie distribution grids results in a poor power factor, which may force the utility
to impose penalty. Weak grid is unable to compensate the reactive power demand and
thus results in poor system efficiency. To cope with low voltages, household consumers
install voltage stabilizers, which keep on changing its tap position on a multi-tap level to
keep the voltage within an acceptable range [6]. The industries having almost constant
reactive power requirement for their heavy inductive drives and machines employ
switched capacitors. Each method of power factor correction has its own advantages and
limitations. Depending upon the nature of load, load constancy, load capacity, and
method of motor staring one may employ the best suited power factor correction
technique that may serve your purpose. In case of light loads a certain power factor
improvement technique may give rise to unnecessary and objectionable voltages that may
lead to power flow problems.

The Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System (FACTS) power factor correction
device can provide steady state compensation for both low and high voltage scenarios. It
requires attention to achieve stable and rapid response under all system conditions [7].

2. Problem Statement:
In Pakistan, where the distribution system is overstressed and outdated, power quality is a
major concern especially in summers where the reactive power demand is very high and
the voltage is unacceptably low. A power factor correction equipment system needs to be
developed that can improve the power factor, keep the voltage within an acceptable
range, and possibly avoid objectionable rise in voltages in case of light loads. This
research will help in developing a cost-effective power quality improvement device for
household and industrial consumers that will improve the system efficiency. The device
will be robust enough to work well under all system conditions relieving the distribution
grid from being overloaded. This research will investigate the latest technology of voltage
regulation that will provide real-time control of reactive power employing Power
Electronics Devices and Pulse Width Modulation Switching Technique, i.e. Flexible
Alternating Current transmission System (FACTS).

3. Literature Review:
Pakistan Energy sector is a mix of Hydel, Thermal, and Nuclear along with some
independent power producers (IPPs). The two major public sector utilities are Water and
Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and Karachi Electric Supply Company
(KESC). The IPPs being a significant contributor is recent years. It has been a decade
that Pakistan could not bridge supply and demand. Unfortunately the construction of
some huge Dams was made controversial due to political rivalries. The Public Sector
utilities have failed in revamping the outdated networks due to the capital cost involved
in it. High tariffs, low efficiency, and lack of recovery have made the situation even
worse. The circular debt has significantly increased and is the major barrier for future
investment in energy sector. The economy and industrial growth and sustainability have
been badly affected. The short term solution is off course renewable energy resources
(Solar, and Wind etc.). Construction of Hydro-Electric Dams, and Production from coal
and nuclear may help in long term. This situation has forced us to think of energy
conservation at all levels in the country. However, the import of electricity from the
neighboring countries needs to be considered, after critical analyses and feasibility study
[1].
The structural and regulatory reforms that initiated in 1990s in Pakistan were a complete
failure. In focus are the network part and the role of regulatory authorities. Reports reveal
that no considerable progress has been shown in the last two decades and we are in no
mans land. The total generation capacity is less that the demand in summers; this has
badly affected the industrial stability and growth. The load shedding in major part of the
networks for hours has been a routine matter for the last few years. The attention is drawn
to the major causes of failure of the reform process and poor functioning of the regulatory
authorities. The aim is to revise tariffs, improve recovery, and reduce losses so as to
streamline the investment opportunities for long term stability of electricity market [2].
The World is shifting from conventional to renewable energy resources which are
everlasting and have minimum environmental hazards. Also the operating cost is
negligibly small. In India the percentage of power generation from wind farms especially
in remote areas have considerably improved. The grid connection of WPPs does affect
the power quality of the system. With reference to Indian local condition, where wind
farms are tied to a weaker grid, have several power quality issue. These issues have been
highlighted by joint Danish and Indian research study on Power Quality and Integration
of Wind Power Plants to a Weak Grid. This project has been funded by Danish Energy
Agency and Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES) in India. The power
quality issues of wind farms in India have been identified based on collected. Problems
have been highlighted and solutions have been recommended for improvement of power
quality. It has been concluded that power quality on a weak grid has contributed to in
efficiency of the distribution network as well as increased reactive power losses along
with poor power factor [3].
Loads connected to the system having good power quality have minimum losses, good
efficiency, and prolonged operating life. On the other hand, those connected to a system
with poor power quality will have higher losses, poor efficiency, and the equipment has
reduced operating life [4]. This is because the equipment tries to draw more current from
the system in order to meet the reactive power demand and thus keep changing the tap
position on a multi-tap auto-transformer. With each tap change, the line current increases
and thus puts an extra burden on the already weak system. This results in higher reactive
losses as the losses are proportional to the square of current. In addition to this, poor
power factor causes unexpected failure of power supply, component malfunctioning,
heating and electronic communication interference.
Industries normally employ heavy machinery and rotating electrical devices (motors,
furnaces, transformers, stamping machines, single stroke presses, saws, grinders, welding
machines, milling machines, weaving machines, and fluorescent lamps etc. ) for different
purposes which are highly inductive in nature and have very high lagging kVAR
requirement. As a result, the overall industrial power factor is very low. This increases
the burden on a weak and heavily loaded grid. Industries mainly install automatic
capacitor banks for power factor improvement at voltage stability, to avoid penalty
imposed by the utilities for poor power factor. These capacitor banks when used for
power factor correction during light loading condition may give rise to unexpectedly high
voltages art the receiving end. This contributes to other technical problems, thus needs to
be avoided. For this reasons, capacitors of proper rating and a careful design is required
which is not possible without sound technical knowledge [5].
A consumer, whether industrial or residential, employing high inductive loads suffers
from poor power factor. Lower power factor forces the utilities to charge them with
penalties. For a poor power factor and overstressed distribution system, the reactive
demand is not met by the weaker grid and thus the system is highly inefficient where
losses are the maximum. In order to cope with low voltage, the residential consumers
install voltage stabilizers so that to rise the voltage to an acceptable level. This in turn
draws more current and thus contributes to system losses. The industries having almost
fixed reactive power demand employ switched capacitors for power factor correction
[6,7]. FACTS devices provide good compensation both in low voltage and high voltage
situations but they do require attention to have rapid response [7].

4. Challenges:
Power factor improvement in weak distributed grid is a challenging job itself particularly
when is highly uneconomical to upgrade the existing networks. In Pakistan, we have to
deal with an overstressed and outdated power network, therefore voltage stabilizers and
static capacitors are employed for voltage stability and power factor improvement. Power
factors needs to be improved for the following reasons:
To avoid penalty against operation at considerably low power factor.
To avoid excessive losses in the power system network.
To avoid over-heating and premature failure of the equipment.

The voltage stabilizers try to maintain constant output for loads that require reactive
power. They are equipped with auto-transformers where a servo-mechanism is used to
select appropriate level on multi tap transformer. The servo motor keeps on changing its
tap position unless and until the output voltage is within required range. With each
change in tap levels either turns are added or subtracted from the secondary side of
transformer. Dead band is present to avoid frequent tap changing for small
fluctuations/variations in output voltage.
The reactive power demand considerably rises in summers with increase in air-
conditioning and refrigerating load, and thus if not provided leads to voltage dips. Voltage
stabilizers are required to keep the voltage at required level, however with each tap
change the line current increases and thus contribute to excessive reactive power loss.
The grid voltage may reduce in case of voltage stabilizers especially on a weaker grid.
The result may lead to voltage instability. In case of constant load voltage, static
capacitors can be employed to provide the reactive power support. This might not be the
case if the voltage keeps on changing frequently. The voltage level varies with change in
load demand and thus a device is required that can automatically regulate the reactive
power. Another problem associated with static capacitors is that of harmonic resonance.
This problem can be overcome if synchronous motors are used for power factor
correction in over-excited mode, what are known as synchronous condensers.
Static VARs Compensators when operated in leading mode improves power factor as
well as increase the voltage at the far end of long transmission lines. In case of light loads
leading VARs may be objectionable as the give rise to voltages that may affect the power
flow from source to load, specifically when the voltage at the receiving end is higher than
at the sending end. In such cases SVCs can be operated in lagging mode to avoid un-
necessary increase of voltage at the end of a transmission line. The disadvantage with
SVC is generation of considerable amount of harmonics that need to be filtered out. Cost
is another concern while using SVCs for power factor correction in case of household or
small industrial consumers. The challenge is to trade-off between performance, cost, and
scope. We have to come up with cost effective and reasonable power factor improvement
equipment.
5. Research Aims:
The prime aim of this PhD research is Tto model all possible power factor correction
devices that can address our local problems and acquire come up with the most cost
effective model (based on set of collected data), that will meet the real time reactive
power demand. The research project will employ using Power Electronic Devices as
switches and Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) switching Techniques with the objective
to.:
To improve efficiency of local grids and local load.
To free the distribution grid from operation under stressed conditions.
Come up with robust design that can work under all system conditions.
To utilize fast switching devices such as Silicon Controlled Rectifiers
(SCR/Thyristors) and Insulated Gate Bi Polar Junction Transistor (IGBTs) along
with inductors, capacitors, and energy storage devices for modeling.

6. Research Objectives:
To develop simulation models in PS-CAD that can:
Automatically correct the power factor if it is below a certain level.
Sense real-time Reactive Power Requirements and provide the necessary support.
Minimize losses due to lagging Power Factor and thus improve Power System
efficiency.
Eliminate the conventional electromechanical relays by Power Electronics fast
switching devices.
Achieve Fast Dynamic Response.

7. Advantages:
Improved Power Factor.
Reduces the burden on the mains.
Reactive Power support on weak grid improves voltage stability.
Reduced Electricity Bills.
Freeing up available energy.
Enhances equipment operating life.
Reduced heating, Reduction in Energy Losses.
Addresses the shortcomings of Voltage Stabilizers and static Capacitors.

8. Approach and Methodology:

In order to achieve the above mentioned goals the research is categorized systematically.
First of all, conducting surveys for collecting the Power Factor and Voltage data at
different industries, 11 kV distribution grids, Distribution Transformers, and Local
Residential consumers. Based on the available data, investigating through simulation
programs all power factor improvement possibilities and finally come up with the most
cost effective model. The focus is on development of below mentioned models:
 Thyristor Switched Capacitors: Uses fixed capacitors in order to inject reactive
power in to the grid using Silicon Controlled Rectifiers as AC Switches.
Thyristor Switched Reactor with fixed Capacitors: Uses either Inductor or fixed
Capacitor to absorb or inject reactive power in to the grid. Inductor is connected
through a Thyristor.
Thyristor Switched Reactor with Thyristor Switched Capacitors: Injects or absorbs
reactive power with Inductor and Capacitor. Thyristor controls switching of the
Inductor and Capacitor.
Insulated Gate Bipolar Junction Transistors with Capacitors or Energy Storage
Devices: Insulated gate Bipolar Junction Transistor has fast switching capability as
compared to ordinary thyristor, hence switching is improved. IGBT controls the
injection or absorption of reactive power.
Once all the possibilities are worked out, the real time data would be tested against
each model and their result would be compared based on both performance and cost.
Based on simulation results the most cost-effective model would be selected for
prototype development that would meet the already set goals. The model would also
address long term voltage stability problems and efforts would be made to minimize
the associated harmonics.

8. Work Plan:

2015 2016 2017

S.
Milestones Spri Spri Spri
No. Fall Fall Fall
ng ng ng
1.
Course Work

2.
Literature overview

3. Industrial Survey and

Data Collection

4. Tool Purchase and

Learning
 5. Modeling thyristor
switched capacitors
Modeling thyristor
6. switched reactor
with fixed
capacitors
Modeling thyristor
7. switched reactor
with thyristor
switch capacitors
Modeling IGBTs with
8. capacitors or
energy storage
devices
Results Comparison
9. and Prototype based
on the most cost
effective model
10. Thesis Writing

9. References:
[1] ISLAMABAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. ISLAMABAD
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. [Online].
http://icci.com.pk/data/downloads/63/1293619048_1.pdf
[2] Amir Jahan Khan, Structure and Regulation of the Electricity Networks in Pakistan,
Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi.
[3] P Sorensen, P H Madson et al., Power Quality and Integration of Wind Farms in
Weak Grids in Indian, RISO Technical University of Denmark, April 2000.
[4] Dr. Kurt Schipman, Dr. Franois Delince, THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD POWER
QUALITY, in ABB Power Quality Products, Belgium.
[5] Marlar Thein Oo, Ei Ei Cho, Improvement of Power Factor for Industrial Plant with
Automatic Capacitor Bank, in PROCEEDINGS OF WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCE,
ENGINEERINGA ND TECHNOLOGY,Vol. 32, pp. 695-701, August 2008.
[6] Akinlolu Adediran Ponnle, Performance of Domestic AC Voltage Stabelizers in
Meeting Low Voltage Problems in Nigeria: A Case Study of 12 Different Brands,
International Journal of Engineering and Technology, Vol. 05, No. 06.
[7] P. C. Pradhan, P.K. Ray, R. K. Sahu and J. K. Moharana, Performance of FACTS
Controller for Power Quality Improvement in a Distribution Supply System,
International Journal of Advanced Research in Electricalm, Electronics and
Instrumentation Energy, Vol. 03, No. 06, June 2014.