Significant reduction in electricity bill, even after introduction KVAh billing by selections of IGBT based active compensator for power quality products, also helps reduction in CO2 emissions, in steel plant: Case Study Dr. Dattatraya Magar Sharadkumar1, Biswas Panna Lal2, Mayavel Natesh3 1Director Operation, Hoganas India Private Limited, Ahmednagar 2MD & CEO, In Phase Power Technologies, Bangalore 3CTO, In Phase Power Technologies, Bangalore Online published on 6 May, 2023. Abstract It all started when electricity supplier, Maharashtra, in India started billing for electrical consumption based on ‘KVAh - Apparent Energy ’ (which includes not only active Energy (KWh) but also Lagging and Leading reactive power (KVAr) & Harmonics as well) instead of just ‘KWh’. This is a major change that essentially means businesses for Steel Industries will have a high impact on electricity drawn from the gird. There was another problem related to harmonics, as more numbers of high variable frequency drives installed causes overheating of cables, Transformers apart from lowering the True Power Factor (PF). In order to arrive at the correct power quality solutions, at first the power quality study was conducted at-the plant level, at all network voltages, right from the PCC main incomer, till down the line 690V and 415V. This paper presents right from power quality study, proposed technical solution, implementing the same at site and power quality study after the same and achieving the performance targets. After undertaking a complete power quality audit and implementation of Active compensation technology, the plant is able to save around 10% on its electricity costs. The plants power factor was improved from just 0.87 Lag to > 0.99 Lag and Harmonics are also maintained within IEEE-519, 2014 limit, as Steel Plant loads are highly dynamic in nature and non-linear due to Furnace operation and numbers of variable frequency drives. From the day of commissioning of entire active system, apart from the technical benefits and compliances-plant is commercially saving 22 Lacs rupees (approx. Rs.24,000) per month. This project also came well within budget, and payback will be within one year. Apart from cost, it has reduced CO2 emission at generating station by approximately 2250 tons per year. Top |