Search

Premium Membership ♕

Limited Time Offer: Save 15% on PRO Plan with discount code: LRN15 and study specialized LV/MV/HV technical articles and studies.

Home / Technical Articles / Three proven ways to reduce electrical energy losses in buildings

Energy waste savings

As savings in terms of costs are the main concern for the operators, the first approach is to try to reduce electrical energy losses in buildings. Also, the electricity supply network itself consumes energy. Moreover, if it is not suitably designed or adapted to user needs, the network is a cause of energy waste and at the same time will not provide satisfaction in terms of power quality and availability.

Three proven ways to reduce electrical energy losses in buildings (photo credit: Edvard Csanyi)
Three proven ways to reduce electrical energy losses in buildings (photo credit: Edvard Csanyi)

How to reduce electrical energy losses in buildings?

Let’s observe three proven ways to reduce electrical energy losses in buildings:

  1. Improve the power factor
  2. Reduce the harmonic ratio
  3. Reduce heat losses on the electricity supply network

1. Improve the power factor

Reactive power is consumed in the magnetic circuits of loads such as motors and by non- compensated fluorescent lighting. If not corrected, the current circulating in the conductors increases although the same level of active power is being used.

A significant number of these self-inductive loads involve a phase shifting of the current and the voltage in the electric installation on the site. The cosine of the angle of this phase shifting is called the power factor: cos φ = PF.

For cos φ = 1, the current and the voltage are in phase and the current is minimal.

The greater the deviation from this ideal value, the greater the degradation of operation with the following five consequences:

  1. Overcurrent on the electricity supply network on the site and on the public power supply network,
  2. Additional energy losses (Joule effect) across the network,
  3. Overloading and overheating of the transformers and a reduction in the available active power (see example calculation below),
  4. An end-of-line voltage drop which can induce abnormal operation of certain sensitive devices,
  5. In many cases, a financial penalty charged by the energy distributor (whose installations are also overloaded by the reactive power consumed by their customers), the calculation of which varies according to the country and the distributor.

Reactive power generators (capacitors)

The solution to this problem is to install reactive power generators (capacitors), either closest to the loads which consume it (local compensation) or at selected points on the electricity supply network (central compensation).

Compensation is on the low voltage part of the electricity supply network and sometimes, in the case of more powerful installations, on the medium voltage part. Correct compensation enables the operation of an installation to be maintained at a power factor of higher than 0.93, which is regarded as satisfactory.

However, installations do not permanently function in the same configuration: circuits are switched, loads are activated or removed, motors start and stop. It is also undesirable to leave the compensation calculated for maximum loading permanently connected, as there is a risk of “over compensation” leading to overvoltages which can damage the installation and the equipment.

In practice, optimum compensation is possible using capacitors grouped in “steps”, with each step connected to the electrical circuit via a contactor controlled by a regulator subject to the measured power factor.


Example (adding power load to an existing industrial facility)

Calculation of capacitors


The requirement //

To add a power load P2 = 100 kW with cosφ = 0.7 to an existing industrial facility with a power transformer Sn = 630 kVA, to supply an overall active power load P = 450 W with cos φ = 0.8.


Preliminary checking //
  • The apparent power consumed is S1 = P1 / cos φ = 450 / 0.8 = 563 kVA and
  • The reactive power is Q1 = √(S12 – P12) = 338 kVAR
  • The apparent power of the additional load is S2 = P2/cosφ = 100/0.7 = 143 kVA
  • its reactive power is Q2 = √(S22 – P22) = 102 kVAR

The total apparent power to be provided by the transformer is S = √(P2 + Q2) where:

  • P = P1 + P2 = 550 kW and
  • Q = Q1 + Q2 = 440 kVAR i.e. S = 704 kVA
  • The new power factor is cos φ = P / S = 0.78

The result //

The power of the existing transformer is insufficient to supply the overall load.


The solution //

Reactive power compensation Define the capacitor bank: to do this the corrected reactive power must allow the inequality:

  • S = √(P2 + Q2) < 630 kVA therefore:
  • Qmax = √(S2 – P2) = √(6302 – 5502) = 307 kVAR
It is thus necessary to provide at least:

  • Q – Qmax = 440 – 307 = 133 kVAR to give a minimum cos φ = P / S = 550/630 = 0.873
  • 200 kVAR capacitor bank is installed to give: Q = 440 – 200 = 240 kVAR and
  • S = √(P2 + Q2) = √(5502 + 2402) = 600 kVA

where cos φ = P / S = 550 / 600 = 0.917. The cost is € 12,000 (automated capacitor bank).

Advantages:

  1. Savings:
    • In active power corresponding to the heating of the circuits: 3,000 kWh / year, i.e. € 200 / year
    • In the maximum power demand (in kVA): € 2,500 / year,
    • In removing € 7,000 p.a. in penalties (halt to consumption of 250,000 kVARh p.a.).
  2. It is not necessary to replace the transformer with a more powerful model: a power reserve is still available.
  3. Operation of the transformer under better conditions leading to a longer service life.
  4. A short time required for return on investment: 1.3 years.

Go back to contents ↑


2. Reduce the harmonic ratio

“Harmonics” (currents or voltages with a frequency which is a multiple of the 50 or 60 Hz operating frequency) are generated by certain “non-linear” equipment, in particular those containing electronic components: domestic equipment, computers, inverters, variable speed drives, etc. They are superimposed on the current or voltage in the electricity supply network.

These harmonics travel upstream on the network and create a form of pollution for all other equipment, some of which is very sensitive. They are also the cause of energy losses due to the Joule effect which may reach 10%, in conductors, transformers and all other equipment.

Graphical representation of harmonics
Figure 1 – Graphical representation of harmonics

Preserving the quality of electrical power (wave form, frequency, etc.) requires that these harmonics be reduced or eliminated: to do this, anti-harmonics filters are installed which are adapted to the network and the equipment in the building: their design requires highly specialized study.

In extremely specific industrial cases (furnaces used in metallurgy, welding machines) these filters are inadequate and the electricity supply network must be designed to take account of this function.

Go back to contents ↑


3. Reduce heat losses on the electricity supply network

These losses are produced by current flowing through all parts of the electricity supply network in the building (the Joule effect).

The replacement of old apparatus or equipment by more modern hardware can significantly reduce these losses:

1. Distribution transformers (up to 3 MVA)

Technological developments in materials and in particular laminations can reduce no-load losses from 15% to 20% irrespective of whether the transformer is of the oil-filled or dry type.

Oil transformer 'MINERA', sealed type with 'Canalis' busbar connection
Oil transformer ‘MINERA’, sealed type with ‘Canalis’ busbar connection

2. Electrical switchboards and enclosures

Research into distribution architectures has made it possible to reduce conductor lengths by approximately 40%, thus reducing energy losses due to the Joule effect by approximately 30% (see figure 1). Moreover, there is a possibility of savings through the choice of the electrical switchgear integrated into the switchboard.

Evolution of the architecture of an electrical switchboard between 1980 and 2010
Figure 1 – Evolution of the architecture of an electrical switchboard between 1980 and 2010

This is the particular case of contactors, which often appear in some numbers in automated systems: for example, whereas the old “model D” contactor-circuit breaker unit on a 20 A motor- starter consumed a steady 20 W, a newer models only require 7 W and less.

Such reductions can also avoid the need for air conditioning in the electrical room.

UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply)

Inverter efficiency varies according to the characteristics of the load supplied (in particular the power factor): modern technologies have allowed a significant improvement in inverter efficiency (which rises in importance as the power factor increases) of about 10% to 15% compared to older systems.

Depending on the power of the secure network, it is therefore possible to make appreciable savings by replacing old inverters.

Go back to contents ↑

Reference // Energy savings in buildings by N. Chaumier (Schneider Electric)

Premium Membership

Get access to premium HV/MV/LV technical articles, electrical engineering guides, research studies and much more! It helps you to shape up your technical skills in your everyday life as an electrical engineer.
More Information
author-pic

Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

5 Comments


  1. Shumbulo Shuta
    Jan 27, 2023

    thank you !!! electrical software’s


  2. SKSahni
    Oct 04, 2019

    Very well written . Would love to share my views with you person to person.
    With regards,
    S.K.Sahni


  3. Vilas Pathak
    Oct 04, 2019

    Good & Informative Technical Articles.


  4. Ian Malone.
    Oct 08, 2018

    Most industrial loads are so unbalanced that clever electronics will not lower bills . 3 unbalanced loads controlled or switched by multiple self-important staff with their own personal needs or requirements needs, “ management “ at a level that will never work. Energy is a tool used in conjunction with equipment to provide a product that has value .
    One cannot be changed without understanding.the total cost and value.
    Political, commercial values are only part ,we have image,prestige even bragging rights to consider then attitude of players before promising savings . Can is a big word , but not a promise.


  5. Kesavan Nair
    Jul 25, 2017

    Hi Edvard,

    Though the idea that compact equipment reduces the Jule loss is so obvious, it never stuck me. Thanks a lot for that. In this respect could you please compare MPCB & contactor based motor starter in terms of power loss?

    Regards
    Kesavan Nair

Leave a Comment

Tell us what you're thinking. We care about your opinion! Please keep in mind that comments are moderated and rel="nofollow" is in use. So, please do not use a spammy keyword or a domain as your name, or it will be deleted. Let's have a professional and meaningful conversation instead. Thanks for dropping by!

eight  ×    =  72

Learn How to Design Power Systems

Learn to design LV/MV/HV power systems through professional video courses. Lifetime access. Enjoy learning!

Subscribe to Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our Weekly Digest newsletter and receive free updates on new technical articles, video courses and guides (PDF).
EEP Academy Courses - A hand crafted cutting-edge electrical engineering knowledge