Electrical compensation of reactive power is the best solution
SVGs compensate reactive power caused by inductive or capacitive loads. An SVG is sometimes called an active power factor compensator (APFC). The reason for this is that a SVG reactive power is provided by means of electronics, as opposed to traditional capacitor banks, which can only compensate in fixed step sizes due to the use of passive components.
The advantages of Static VAr generators (SVG)
Always the right amount of compensation
Traditional capacitor bank response is stepped,which means there is almost always too little or too much compensation. A key advantage of an SVG is the fact that it provides exactly the right amount of reactive power at all times. The reaction time of an SVG is in the order of milliseconds. This means reactive inrush currents of motors can be fed, which reduces the chance of voltage dips.
An SVG is also capable of compensating capacitive grids – something a traditional capacitor bank cannot do. Unkike a traditional capacitor bank, an SVG can also compensate for capacitive grids. In today’s office buildings and laboratories, the power grid is becoming increasingly capacitive due to the increased uptake of electronics, such as LED lighting, and the decreasing linear load.
Robust compensation
An active filter can be seen as an SVG that is also capable of removing harmonic currents from the installation. An SVG is resistant to high levels of harmonic voltages. However, the other components in the installation are probably not. Harmonic voltages reduce the operational lifetime of electronic equipment. Active filters can also prevent other Power Quality issues such as Power Factor correction, reduction of harmonic currents, unbalance and short voltage dips.
One step further: taking out harmonics
An active filter can be seen as an SVG that is also capable of removing harmonic currents from the installation. An SVG is resistant to high levels of harmonic voltages. However, the other components in the installation are probably not. Harmonic voltages reduce the operational lifetime of electronic equipment. Active filters can also prevent other Power Quality issues such as Power Factor correction, reduction of harmonic currents, unbalance and short voltage dips.
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