45 STATIC VAR GENERATORS
Static
Var
Generators
Static var generators (SVG) also known as active power factor
compensators (APFC) or instantaneous stepless reactive power
compensators are the ultimate answer to power quality problems
caused by low power factor and reactive power demand for a wide
range of segments and applications. They are a high performance,
compact, flexible, modular and cost-effective type of active power
filters (APF) that provide an instantaneous and effective response to
power quality problems in low or high voltage electric power
systems. They enable longer equipment lifetime, higher process
reliability, improved power system capacity and stability, and
reduced energy losses, complying with most demanding power
quality standards and grid codes.
Low power factor increases the active energy losses of installations
and affects their stability. It is typically caused by inductive or
capacitive loads that demand extra reactive power to perform
properly. Other contributors to low power factor are harmonic
currents produced by nonlinear loads and the change of load in the
electric power system.
SVGs deliver real-time inductive or capacitive reactive power
compensation. Rapid response time provides stable and accurate
power factor correction without the drawbacks of conventional
solutions like capacitor banks and reactor banks.
STATIC VAR GENERATORS 46
Typical Applications
SVGs have many low and high voltage potential applications where their use offers many benefits.
• Installations with fast changing reactive power demand like electric arc furnaces and ball mills
• Highly dynamic loads where the power factor fluctuates rapidly or in big steps like cranes, sawmill machinery,
welding machines, etc.
• Correction of leading power factor like in data centers allowing back-up generators operation
• UPS systems.
• Solar inverters and wind turbine generators.
• Railway electrification systems: Trains & trams
• Loads with low power factor: Motors, cables, lightly loaded transformers, lighting, etc.
Comparison With Conventional Solutions
Capacitor Banks or Reactor Banks Static Var Generators / Active PF Compensators
Response • Contactor-based solutions take at least 30s to 40s to • Real-time mitigation of power quality problems as the
time mitigate the problem and thyristor-based solutions 20ms to 30ms overall response time is less than 100µs
Output • Depends on step sizes, cannot match load demand in real time • Instantaneous, continuous, stepless and seamless
• Depends on grid voltage as capacitor units & reactors are used • Grid voltage fluctuation has no influence on the output
Power factor • Capacitor banks needed for inductive loads and reactor banks for • Corrects simultaneously from -1 to +1 power factor of
correction capacitive loads. Problems in systems with mixed loads lagging (inductive) and leading (capacitive) loads
• Not possible to guarantee unity power factor as they have steps, • Guaranteed unity power factor at all times without any
system will be having continuous over and undercompensation over or undercompensation (stepless output)
Unbalance • Do not correct load unbalance • Can correct by selecting the amount of load balancing
Design & sizing • Reactive power studies needed to size the proper solution • Not required extensive studies as it is adjustable
• Usually oversized to better adjust to changing load demands • Mitigation capacity can be exactly what load demands
• Need to be designed taking into account system harmonics • Unaffected by harmonic distortion in the system
• Custom-built for specific load and network conditions • Can adapt to load and network conditions & changes
Resonance • Parallel or series resonance can amplify currents in the system • No risk of harmonic resonance with the network
Transients • Caused by the switching of capacitor units or shunt reactors • Not created (no switching of passive components)
Overloading • Possible due to slow response and/or variation of loads • Not possible as current limited to max. RMS current
Footprint & • Medium to large footprint, especially if several harmonic orders • Small footprint and simple installation as modules are
installation • Not simple installation, especially if loads upgraded frequently compact in size. Existing switchgear can be used
Expansion • Limited and depends on load conditions and network topology • Simple (and not dependant) by adding modules
Maintenance & • Using components that need extensive maintenance like fuses, • Simple maintenance and service life up to 15 years as
lifetime circuit breakers, contactors, reactors and capacitor units there is no electro-mechanical switching and no risk of
• Switching, transients and resonance reduce lifetime transients or resonance
