Rice Distributor Network operating company – UKPN – London
Reactive power charge at time of survey – 0.329p / kVArh in excess of 33% of the kWh (i.e. a charge is imposed only if an average power factor of less than 0.95 is achieved)
Available Supply Capacity (ASC) charge – £0.93 / kVA / month
During our site survey the following load vectors were recorded:
kVA – 2209
kW – 1684
PF – 0.76
kVAr – 1430
From the billing information the estimated maximum demand load vectors were as follows:
kVA – 2497
kW – 1923
PF – 0.77
kVAr – 1593
In order to correct the maximum demand condition to a more economical level of 0.96, 1000 kVAr of power factor correction was offered.
With the above capacitors connected the maximum demand condition was predicted to be as follows:
kVA – 1992
kW – 1923
PF – 0.96
kVAr – 593
The reduction in maximum demand predicted = 2497 – 1992 = 505 kVA
Potential annual savings
From the above information, the following savings were calculated:
Excess reactive power – on average the client was receiving £1500 / month in reactive power charges. By installing the equipment recommended this charge would be eliminated as an average power factor greater than 0.95 would be maintained. The potential annual saving is thus £1500 x 12 = £18,000.
Available supply capacity – the reduction in maximum demand of 505 kVA represents an annual available supply capacity saving of 505 x 0.93 x 12 = £5635.80
Total potential annual savings =
£23,635.80
Installed cost of equipment recommended
The total installed cost of the equipment recommended was £20,612.00
Payback period of equipment
From the cost of the equipment and the potential annual savings, the payback period of the equipment was calculated as approximately 10 months.
Result of survey
The equipment recommended was installed. The reactive power charges were eliminated and the client is in the process of re- negotiating their available supply capacity.
BY INSTALLING A BESPOKE POWER FACTOR CORRECTION SCHEME PFC ENGINEERING MANAGED TO ACHIEVE SAVINGS OF £23,000 PER ANNUM FOR A MAJOR UK RICE DISTRIBUTOR, ACHIEVING A PAYBACK PERIOD OF LESS THAN 12 MONTHS.
