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Microgrids represent a rapidly growing distributed energy market segment, and MicroTurbines are well positioned to participate. While there is no one definition for what a “microgrid” is, it typically refers to a combination of distributed energy resources (DERs) able to operate connected to a utility grid, but also able to operate completely isolated from the grid. Ensuring reliable power for the mission-critical data center was the main priority of the state-of-the-art facility. A main driver of the purchase was resiliency that the utility could not provide. Traditional data centers rely on power from the utility and have banks of batteries that keep servers and equipment running during short power loses. A standby emergency generator is typically used for longer outages. Because of the critical nature of the complex, the microturbine is configured to provide power and therm
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Electrical Power Factoring:
Electrical power factoring is a concept that usually refers to the process of improving the power factor of an electrical system.
What is Power Factor?
In electrical systems, power factor (PF) is a measure of how effectively electrical power is being used.
It is defined as the ratio of real power (measured in watts) to apparent power (measured in volt-amperes).
Mathematically, it is expressed as:
Power Factor=Real Power (P)Apparent Power (S)\text{Power Factor} = \frac{\text{Real Power (P)}}{\text{Apparent Power (S)}}
Power Factor=Apparent Power (S)Real Power (P) Power factor ranges from 0 to 1.
A power factor of 1 (or 100%) indicates that all the power supplied by the source is being used effectively for useful work.
A lower power factor indicates that some of the power is wasted.
Why Improve Power Factor?
Energy Efficiency: Improving power factor can lead to more efficient use of electrical power, which can reduce energy losses in the system.
Cost Savings: Many utility companies charge higher rates for systems with low power factor. Improving power factor can help in reducing these charges.
Reduced Load on Equipment: A higher power factor means that the electrical system is not overloaded. This can help in prolonging the life of equipment and reducing maintenance costs. How to Improve Power Factor?
Capacitor Banks: Installing capacitors in parallel with inductive loads can help counteract the lagging power factor caused by these loads.
Power Factor Correction Equipment: Devices like power factor correction controllers and automatic capacitors can adjust the power factor dynamically based on the load.
Regular Maintenance: Ensuring that electrical systems are well-maintained can also help in maintaining an optimal power factor. By improving power factor, you can make your electrical system more efficient and potentially save on costs associated with energy consumption.
Case Study 1At the heart of this microgrid is a C600 Signature Series natural gas-fired microturbine that simultaneously creates electricity and thermal energy for heating and cooling. The C600S microturbine is a dual-mode model, able to operate connected to a utility grid or operate stand-alone, providing power to critical loads when the utility is unavailable.
The clean exhaust from the microturbine is brought to a 200-refrigeration-ton capacity absorption chiller for building cooling or can be directed to a heat exchanger to provide up to 3MMBTU per hour of hot water for building heating. This combination of outputs is called combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) and provides more efficient use of fuel than the traditional utility electric power and separate thermal systems. The C600S microturbine is controlled by two fully redundant Capstone controllers for maximum resiliency. Additional distributed energy resources in this microgrid include solar panels that can produce up to 180 kilowatts of power, wind turbines with a capacity of 24 kilowatts, an energy storage capacity of 231 kilowatt hours, and a traditional 1,500-kilowatt backup diesel generator. Tying all these separate power generation technologies together is a smart microgrid controller, featuring cutting-edge technology with the ability to control and dispatch using advanced optimization models. |
Case Study 2Edit this text to make it your own. To edit, simply click directly on the text to start adding your own words.
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Case Study 3Edit this text to make it your own. To edit, simply click directly on the text to start adding your own words.
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