INFLUENCE OF AVERAGE POWER FACTOR MANAGEMENT ON ACTIVE DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS

During the transmission and distribution process of electricity, technical power losses inevitably occur, depending on current flows along the lines which in turn are affected by the power factor resulting from loads and dispersed generation, as well as from both intentional capacitors and not intentional ones (MV cable shunt capacitance). The power factor has a direct influence on power losses and voltage profile. The paper describes a first theoretical analysis to assess the influence of the power factor requirements when measured as average value and to compare how losses and voltage profiles may change considering the real “instantaneous” power factor. Starting from data coming from MV and LV customers and meters installed along lines, possible technical and regulatory countermeasures have been investigated to reduce network losses, taking into account also voltage constraints.