Power Factor Correction
We have gained a strong reputation in power factor correction consultancy services since the introduction of the kVAh Enemalta tariffs which provide incentives for power factor improvement to the industrial and commercial sectors.
We have invested in state of the art test equipment enabling us to monitor:
- power consumption patterns over prolonged period of time
- harmonic content of electrical loads
- waveform analysis
- transient over/ undervoltage detection and recordingThrough careful load analysis and specification of equipment, harmonic levels are kept to acceptable levels even at a power factor close to unity. In many cases, the payback period for power factor correction equipment specified by our firm was less than 12 months.
Our services with respect to power factor correction include:
- A monitoring and data collection exercise over a representative period of time. For the purpose of this exercise, we utilize our portable energy and harmonics analyzer and associated PC software for detailed analysis.
- A detailed analysis of the plant’s energy consumption pattern and power quality with special attention to harmonics.
- Design of a power factor correction system according to the results obtained. The design shall take into consideration the harmonic content of the electrical loads, the possibility of resonance of the PFC unit with the supply transformers, ambient temperature, imbalances in the electrical loads, future expansion plans, capital investment and payback period.
- Request for quotation or preparation of tenders for the supply and installation of PFC equipment from suppliers and contractors.
- Technical evaluation of submissions and assistance in the adjudicating process.
- Supervision and certification of works.
- Monitoring of Energy and kVAh quantities prior to submission of application to Enemalta to migrate to new tariffs.
- Training of client’s nominated personnel in the monitoring of real savings and performance of power factor correction unit. To facilitate the monitoring exercise , we have developed a user friendly spreadsheet, which calculates savings in the electricity bills, average power factor obtained and other relevant parameters.
What is the power factor correction incentive ?
The installation of power factor correction equipment in Malta took a major boost toward the end of 2003 when Enemalta launched the new power factor tariff incentives by means of the publication of Legal Notice 99 of 2003. The kVAh tariff scheme is aimed at providing an incentive to Enemalta’s non residenatial consumers with a service rated at 100A or over in order to reduce reactive power losses.
Migration from the kWh consumption rates to the kVAh rates is on a voluntary basis, that is, consumers can choose to stay with the current rates or opt for the newer ones by submitting an application to Enemalta Corporation. Only consumers with a service rated above 100A per phase can apply to migrate to the kVAh tariffs.
The kVAh would only lead to lower electricity bills if the consumer’s electrical system has a power factor which is greater than 0.92. Due to the inherent characteristics of electrical loads, the power factor in industrial and commercial electrical systems rarely exceeds 0.9 and in some instances can also be below 0.8 unless measures to correct the power factor have been undertaken.
Should the consumer’s power factor be unity (ie 1.0), the consumer would be reaping maximum benefit from the new tariffs. In such a case the electricity bill would be reduced by approximately 8%.
