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Regenerative Drives - Effect of Power Factor

Former Community Member
Former Community Member

I am working on a small 16kW hydro system which is experiencing about 15% loss in the Regenerative VSD. To maximise efficiency the turbine operates at variable speed. The VSD controls a synchronous generator and supplies the grid.

The VSD is a Siemens G120. The datasheet states that the efficiency should be around 96%, whilst also stating that the Power Factor is 0.9. I am looking to replace this drive for an ABB ACS 880-11 which has similar efficiency but a unity power factor.

Firstly can I trust these datasheets since, I assume, they relate to the VSD delivering electrical energy to a motor rather receiving it from a generator? Is there an efficiency penalty for regenerative generation?

Secondly, with all else being equal, will the drive with a unity power factor equate to more electrical energy on the meter than the drive with a 0.9 power factor? 

Thanks

 

 

Parents
  • To the original question, the ‘unity power factor’ is a stage that is between the mains and the reservoir caps on the DC bus, and is controlled to draw more or less current in time with the rising and falling of the mains voltage, thus spoofing a resistive load.

    I'm not sure   how much that helps you when used in reverse as a re-generator.

    Mike.

     

Reply
  • To the original question, the ‘unity power factor’ is a stage that is between the mains and the reservoir caps on the DC bus, and is controlled to draw more or less current in time with the rising and falling of the mains voltage, thus spoofing a resistive load.

    I'm not sure   how much that helps you when used in reverse as a re-generator.

    Mike.

     

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