Rama Agarwal
Independent Researcher
India
Abstract
Reactive power compensation plays a vital role in improving power system stability, voltage regulation, and efficiency. Capacitor banks are widely used for reactive power compensation in distribution and transmission systems due to their cost-effectiveness and reliability. This paper investigates the performance of capacitor banks in reactive power compensation, focusing on their impact on power factor correction, voltage profile improvement, and reduction in system losses. A detailed methodology using simulation and field data analysis is adopted to evaluate the effectiveness of capacitor banks under different load conditions and configurations. The results demonstrate significant improvement in system parameters, validating capacitor banks as an essential component in modern power systems. Challenges such as harmonic resonance and capacitor switching transients are also discussed. The study concludes by recommending optimized capacitor bank installation and switching strategies to maximize compensation benefits while minimizing associated risks.
Keywords
Capacitor banks, reactive power compensation, power factor correction, voltage regulation, harmonic resonance, switching transients.
References
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