Power Factor Correction
All electrical installations can be confronted with power factor correction (PFC), power quality or reliability problems. The economic impacts of these problems can be operationally and financially damaging.
The increasing quantity of electrical equipment, such as motors and pumps, coupled with economic and environmental pressure give rise to the increasing need to optimise power consumption and reduce electricity bills.
Power factor is essentially a measure of how efficiently electricity is used. In an ideal world the power factor would be 1. You may see a power factor charge on your electricity bill, which is there to directly target those companies who display inefficient energy use. Generally speaking a power factor of less than 1 means you may be paying too much for your electricity, as you’re being charged a premium on the kW being consumed.
Power factor correction solutions can reduce the kVA demand to lower your energy bills and reduce carbon emissions, in networks with varying levels of harmonics.
By reducing the reactive current drawn from the supply, the following value proposition presented by Schneider Electric highlights where and how savings can be made:
Reduction in your operating expenses up to 10%
- Reduce the energy bill if penalties or bonus are applied
- Save energy thanks to the reduction of the losses
Reduction in your capital expenses up to 30%
- Optimize the size of your installation
- Increase the power availability
- Reduce the size of transformers, cables and switchgear equipments
A lower energy consumption up to 3% and reduction in CO2 emissions.
Pay back periods are typically 12-24 months making PFC a great addition to your energy saving portfolio. Contact our energy specialists today to see how PFC can save you money.