How to solve the problem of harmonic distortion and reactive power generated by new energy (solar energy)?
Photovoltaic solar systems installed on rooftops are becoming an increasingly popular alternative source of electricity. However, as their adoption grows, challenges related to reactive power compensation and harmonic filtering have emerged. This is particularly true in regions like Africa, with abundant sunshine, and Europe, where energy efficiency is critical. The widespread deployment of solar photovoltaic systems in these areas has led to concerns about harmonic distortion and reactive power imbalances.
Recently, a solar photovoltaic installation company reached out to us for assistance. Through careful analysis, we discovered that the integration of self-generation systems, such as photovoltaic solar energy, was contributing to increased harmonic distortion in the electrical network. Additionally, there were issues with the balance between the active and reactive power generated by the grid and the photovoltaic system, resulting in a low reactive power factor and harmonic distortion. These problems could potentially affect the performance and lifespan of the equipment.
Pre-Installation Conditions:
Before the customer installed the solar panels, the facility had the following power quality parameters:
Voltage: Averaging around 480V, occasionally dropping to 465V every few hours.
Reactive Power Consumption: Averaging 170 kVAr, with peaks reaching up to 1000 kVAr.
Voltage Total Harmonic Distortion (THDV): Averaged at 2.5%, with peaks reaching 14.44%.
Current Total Harmonic Distortion (THDI): Averaged 20%, occasionally spiking up to 50%.
Power Factor: 0.91.
Post-Installation Conditions:
After the photovoltaic solar panels were installed, several issues arose:
Voltage Levels: Fluctuating between a minimum of 367V and a maximum of 500V, leading to significant voltage instability.
Power Factor: Dropped to 0.89, further worsening the overall power quality.
The introduction of solar panels led to a noticeable deterioration in the overall power quality. To address this, we conducted a comprehensive assessment and recommended the installation of a Static VAR Generator (SVG) integrated with a harmonic filtering solution.
Our Solution:
The proposed SVG with filtering solution was designed to:
- Improve Power Factor: By enhancing reactive power compensation, the power factor could be improved to 0.99, reducing energy losses.
- Harmonic Filtering: The system effectively filters out harmful harmonics from the network, ensuring a smoother, cleaner power supply.
- Seamless Operation: The solution operates without transient disturbances, ensuring the stability of the system.
- Compact and Easy Installation: The SVG system is rack-mountable and lightweight, making it easy to install and integrate at the customer’s site.
This solution not only resolved the issues of harmonic distortion and reactive power but also helped to enhance the performance and longevity of the equipment, reducing the risk of downtime and potential damage.
Ongoing Collaboration:
After several installation iterations, the customer has continued to work with us to further refine and customize the SVG solution, exploring new business areas and opportunities for power quality optimization.