Study of the Sustainability of Electrical Power Systems: Analysis of the Causes that Generate Reactive Power

M. A. Graña-López, A. García-Diez, A. Filgueira-Vizoso, J. Chouza-Gestoso and A. Masdías-Bonome
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M. A. Graña-López: Department of Industrial Engineer, Escuela Universitaria Politécnica, University of A Coruña, 15405 Ferrol, Spain
A. García-Diez: Department of Naval and Industrial Engineer, Escuela Politécnica Superior, University of A Coruña, 15403 Ferrol, Spain
A. Filgueira-Vizoso: Department of Chemistry, Escuela Politécnica Superior, University of A Coruña, 15403 Ferrol, Spain
J. Chouza-Gestoso: Department of Industrial Engineer, Escuela Universitaria Politécnica, University of A Coruña, 15405 Ferrol, Spain
A. Masdías-Bonome: Department of Industrial Engineer, Escuela Universitaria Politécnica, University of A Coruña, 15405 Ferrol, Spain

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 24, 1-13

Abstract: Reactive power is an important parameter in electrical power systems since it affects the efficiency of the system because it is not useful energy. It decreases the power factor of the system and limits the ability of generators to deliver useful power. It is therefore necessary to understand and correctly measure the phenomenon of reactive energy in three-phase systems. In this paper, we analyze reactive power in linear and unbalanced three-phase systems using the Unified Theory of Electrical Power and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standard 1459-2010 (IEEE Std. 1459-2010) to obtain expressions for reactive power in balanced and unbalanced systems and noting that there are terms that exist only for unbalanced systems. Analysis of the measurements carried out led us to identify the existence of two components of reactive power—that due to reactive elements, and that caused by unbalances in the system. Knowing the causes that generate reactive power, it is possible to act more effectively on the problem and therefore achieve a more sustainable generation of electric power and a lower environmental impact.

Keywords: Unbalanced systems; reactive power; efficiency of electrical power systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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