Graftech
● Located in Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
● Dedicated to the manufacture of electrodes.
● They were facing power quality problems.
Findings
● Inductive non-compliance 100% of the time.
● High load variations.
● No compensation equipment.
● A relatively high level of 2nd harmonic is present.
Solution: Installation of two STATCOMs +/- 10 MVAr each
● One STATCOM was installed for each of the two transformers.
● 36 MVA mains (230 – 13.8 KV).
● Faster solution for power factor compensation.
● Active harmonic current filtering capability.
● Less area required per KVAR.
● Newest and most reliable technology available.
Why is STATCOM the best technology?
● Equipment responds dynamically to the load.
● Operation of the equipment is by power electronics.
● Compared to its main predecessor, the SVC, the STATCOM has much higher efficiency and performance.
Results
● The STATCOM met the dynamic MVAr demand created by the variable load center operation.
● An average PF value of 0.99 is met 100% of the time.
● Improvements in power quality parameters
● For voltage unbalance, a maximum value of 0.171 % was obtained during the measurement period, remaining below the 2% limit established in the Grid Code.
● Current unbalance had a maximum value of 4.814 % during the measurement period, remaining below the 15% limit established in the CoR.
● The values of odd and even single harmonic components are within the limits.
● Harmonic currents were reduced, highlighting the 2nd harmonic current.
● The maximum THDD[%] value in the measurement period was 1.09 %, remaining below the limit, which for this load center is 3.75%.
● Flicker values for the 95th percentile Short Term Voltage Swing Index (STFI) was 0.382 remaining below the Grid Code limit of 1.0.
● Flicker values for the 95th percentile Long Term Voltage Fluctuation (LTI) Index was 0.329 remaining below the Grid Code limit of 0.80.
Benefits
● Grid code compliance.
● Longer useful life of plant equipment.
● Lower energy and maintenance costs.
● Improved process efficiency.
● Increased production capacity.
● Financial bonus from the supplier.
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