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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

    The VSD does provide data however there are over 3000 parameters and various values for currents / power etc. It does seem that the VSD does agree with the meter, but not exactly. The meter power is the important value since this is what the income is based on. 

    Understanding where the power is being lost is becoming a big headache as there seems to be no evidence we are losing it as heat.  

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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member

    The VSD does provide data however there are over 3000 parameters and various values for currents / power etc. It does seem that the VSD does agree with the meter, but not exactly. The meter power is the important value since this is what the income is based on. 

    Understanding where the power is being lost is becoming a big headache as there seems to be no evidence we are losing it as heat.  

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