Power Quality

Training Courses

Compensation of reactive power,

Voltage and current unbalance

LPQIVES is co-finaced by:

LPQIVES is a programme of:

LPQI is part of:

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 Module 8

Compensation of reactive power, Voltage and current

unbalance

1 INTRODUCTION
Reactive power control, which is the theme of this seminar, has grown in importance for a number
of reasons. First, the requirement for more efficient operation of power systems has increased with
the price of fuels. Second, the requirement for a high quality of supply has increased because of
the increasing use of electronic equipment and because of the growth in continuous-process
industries.

1.1 General aims

Because of the fundamental importance of reactive power control this seminar should appeal to a
broad cross section of electrical, electronics, and control professionals. Practising engineers in the
utility industry, and in industrial plants can find both the theory and the description of the reactive
power control equipment invaluable in solving problems in power-factor correction (from the simple
power-factor correction capacitor used with a single inductive load, to the sophisticated algorithms
in Static VAR compensators), voltage control/stabilization, and phase balancing. The subject of
reactive power control is closely connected with the subject of harmonics, because reactive power
compensation and control is often required in connection with loads which are also sources of
harmonics. It is important that compensation systems be deployed in such a way as to avoid
problems with harmonic resonances. On of the session deals with these matters and includes a
treatment of filters with practical examples.

1.2 Target groups

This module’s target group are mainly:
− end-users of equipment;
− designers;
− installers or contractor of installations;
− electric networks operators;
− equipment sellers and services providers in the electricity sector.

2 SPECIFIC AIMS AND TOPICS

The pathway of learning consists of a 2 days course, subdivided in sections (with different
duration), with these contents and related aims.

1st day
Contents Power theories in electrical circuits, Capacitor banks and reactive power supply, power
factor correction, Capacitor ratings, Harmonic amplification, Resonance (series and
parallel), Capacitor arrangements and protection, Capacitor switching process, harmonic
elimination, harmonic filters, voltage support, Series compensation
Aims The first day lessons aim to provide the user the basic knowledge about power
capacitors and power factor correction, and about harmonics filtering
2nd day
Contents Rotating compensator (synchronous motor), Static VAR compensators, Automated
controls, TSC, FC/TCR, STATCOM, Voltage/current unsymmetry, Description of the
phenomenon, definitions, sources of the unbalance, Effects of the unbalance, Principle of

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 symmetrization Improving symmetry in supply networks, Limit values, Methods for
calculation and measurement of unbalance factors, Calculation of the unbalance factor,
Principles of measurement , Assessment of equipment immunity
Aims The first day lessons aim to provide the user the basic knowledge about static and
rotating compensators, and about voltage and current unbalance related issues. Use of
the obtained knowledge to analysis and solving problems related to the topics.

Below there’s a detailed overview of the course contents.

2.1 Pathway of learning flow chart

Time progression
(hours)

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3 COURSE DETAILED PROGRAM

First day:

60 mins Participants registration

5 mins Openning, informations, course introduction, course introduction

60 mins Section 1: Power theories in electrical circuits

Modality: Lesson and discussion

60 mins POWER CAPACITORS AND THEIR APPLICATION

− Capacitor banks and reactive power supply, power factor
correction
− Capacitor ratings
− Harmonic amplification
− Resonance (series and parallel)
− Capacitor arrangements and protection
Modality: Lesson and discussion

15 mins Coffee Break

60 mins Section 2: CAPACITOR SWITCHING PROCESS

Modality: Lesson and discussion

Second day:

60 mins Section 3: HARMONICS ELIMINATION, HARMONIC FILTERS

− Series-tuned filters
− Double band-pass filters
− Damped filters
− Detuned (anti-resonant) filters
− An example of harmonic filter design
Modality: Lesson and discussion

30 mins VOLTAGE SUPPORT

Series compensation
Modality: Lesson and practical training

15 mins Coffee Break

60 mins Section 4: Rotating compensator (synchronous motor)

− Static VAR compensators
− Automated controls
− TSC
− FC/TCR
− STATCOM
Modality: Lesson and discussion

60 mins Section 5: VOLTAGE/CURRENT UNBALANCE

− Description of the phenomenon, definitions
− Sources of the unbalance

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 − Effects of the unbalance
Modality: Lesson and discussion

15 mins Coffee Break

45 mins Section 6: Principle of symmetrization

− Improving symmetry in supply networks
− Limit values
Modality: Lesson and discussion

60 mins Methods for calculation and measurement of unbalance factors

− Calculation of the unbalance factor
− Principles of measurement
− Assessment of equipment immunity
− Unbalanced loads - case analysis
Modality: Lesson and practical training

45 mins Final discussion and conclusions

End of the course - user satisfaction survey (user’s questionnaire)
Confirmations of attendance

4 GENERAL NOTES

− each day there will be two coffee breaks according to the seminar program;
− at the beginning of the course the lecturer will explain course aims and at the end he will verify
their fulfilment;
− the course will be divided in theoretical and practical sections;
− at the end of the lessons, a user satisfaction survey will help the lecturer in monitoring the course
quality.

5 TEACHING METHODS

Teaching methods are summarized in three main moments:

− knowledge transfer (Lesson)

topics exposure by the lecturer with the help of slides and presentation of practical cases;
− deepening/learning verification (Discussion)
general discussion stimulated by the lecturer (also during the lesson) to verify knowledge
transfer;
− practical training, laboratory activities; group work

During all the sections, the lecturer will always attend, with teaching and/or activity coordination
duty.

6 DIDACTIC MATERIAL AND TOOLS

The didactic tools which will be used by the lecturers will be:
− Blackboard
− Video-projector
− Notebook
− Microphone

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The lecture room will be suitable to allow the use of all the above listed didactic tools and to enable
group work for the attendants.

Each user will receive, during the registration, a folder containing:

− course program;
− lecture notes containing all or part of the lecture slides.

Some additional electronic tools will be available also in electronic format at: http://www.leonardo-
energy.org/drupal/ .

The folder will also include a user satisfaction questionnaire and a knowledge test (which will be
both filled and submitted at the end of the course).

7 EXISTING KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

The following (on the basic level) shall be prerequisite for the participant:

− electric circuits theory: AC circuits;

− electric machines;
− electric power engineering; power system;
− power electronics;
− electric metrology.

8 ACQUIRED COURSE KNOWLEDGE

The knowledge acquired during the course should be sufficient for:

− design of capacitor bank used for power-factor correction, voltage control/stabilization, and
phase balancing;
− elimination the over- current and over-voltages during the capacitor switching process;
− design of passive harmonic filters ;
− proposing other compensation systems.

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