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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

 

 

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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member

    Thanks for your reply Mike,

    I suppose the obvious answer to your point would be to stick the scope on the meter terminals and get a true reading of the power. The problem for us is that the income from the electricity export is based on this meter reading.  Just for information the meter is a Schneider PowerLogic PM3500.  

    I have contacted ABB and Siemens already; if I get an answer from them I will be sure to share but it is nice to have honest feedback from people not trying to sell me a product. Unfortunately most literature and data relating to drives relates to motors and not generators. 

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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member

    Thanks for your reply Mike,

    I suppose the obvious answer to your point would be to stick the scope on the meter terminals and get a true reading of the power. The problem for us is that the income from the electricity export is based on this meter reading.  Just for information the meter is a Schneider PowerLogic PM3500.  

    I have contacted ABB and Siemens already; if I get an answer from them I will be sure to share but it is nice to have honest feedback from people not trying to sell me a product. Unfortunately most literature and data relating to drives relates to motors and not generators. 

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