How does capacitor bank integration affect a distribution system?

Distribution systems commonly face issues such as high power losses and poor voltage profiles, primarily due to low power factors resulting in increased current and additional active power losses. This article focuses on assessing the static effects of capacitor bank integration in distribution systems.

How shunt capacitors are used in distribution networks?

For compensating reactive power, shunt capacitors are often installed in electrical distribution networks. Consequently, in such systems, power loss reduces, voltage profile improves and feeder capacity releases. However, finding optimal size and location of capacitors in distribution networks is a complex combinatorial optimisation problem.

What is a capacitor bank?

Capacitor banks are a common solution for reducing power losses, improving voltage profiles, correcting power factors and increasing system capacity in power distribution systems.

How many MVAR capacitor banks in a 20kV distribution system?

This article describes 3.42MVar capacitor banks in 4 busbars of a 20kv system and 1.164MVar capacitor banks in 2 busbars of a 0.4kv distribution system to provide capacitive reactance compensation or power factor correction.

What are shunt capacitor banks?

Shunt capacitor banks are widely utilised in distribution networks to reduce power loss, improve voltage profile, release feeder capacity, compensate reactive power and correct power factor. In order to acquire maximum benefits, capacitor placement should be optimally done in electrical distribution networks.

How do capacitors affect voltage levels across a distribution network?

The placement of capacitors resulted in improved voltage levels across the distribution network. Voltage deviations from the nominal value were significantly reduced. There was a notable reduction in active power losses (I2R losses) throughout the distribution lines.