Balancing power quality in low voltage grid
Ensto Phase Balancer is designed to reduce power quality issues in low voltage distribution networks. It balances load currents, reduces neutral current and fixes voltage imbalance in both overhead line and underground cable grids.
New challenges for distribution system owners
Renewable energy and sustainable development are burning words in electricity distribution. Juha Kuuluvainen, Product Manager, Ensto says that the increasing use of solar energy generation, electric vehicle charging and heat pumps at households is a fundamental challenge for the existing low voltage grid.
“The grid just was not made for that kind of solutions decades ago. When you add the fact that the power quality standards and regulatory requirements are not negotiable, there is a constant need for network improvement.”
The Phase Balancer is a cost-effective, quick alternative for conventional network reinforcement. The device enables proper operation of the protection devices at the consumer connection point, decreases light flickering and total harmonic distortion (THD). It also helps in complying with the requirements of standards and regulations as well as saves time and money as the reinforcement investments can be postponed.
The latest addition to the Phase Balancer is the Modbus RTU communication interface for monitoring power quality in the low voltage grid.
Solar energy – a possibility or a threat?
Kuuluvainen states: “Solar energy is a great way to reduce carbon footprint but it many times causes voltage variation, decline in power quality, and restricts the grid’s capacity. In Europe solar panels are already very common so this is not any marginal challenge, which is often emphasized in the remote end of the grid.”
Ensto Phase Balancer maximizes the existing distribution capacity by three-phase load balancing. It also reduces energy losses of the low voltage feeder and minimizes the risk for overload. Adding the device to the network is an investment in electrical safety, too, as it decreases malfunctions and damages of consumer equipment connected to the grid. The device has a long working life even in severe climatic conditions and it can be relocated and reused according to need.
Monitoring the low voltage grid
The latest addition to the Phase Balancer is the Modbus RTU communication interface for monitoring power quality in the low voltage grid. The importance of monitoring is increasing as the use of distributed energy and electric vehicle charging equipment is growing. In a fault situation the device for instance sends a notification to the service team surveilling the condition of the grid. In the future, monitoring enables seamless integration to the SCADA or DMS systems and offers wide possibilities for cloud-based applications.
Ensto’s Phase Balancer is a quick, reusable fix for power quality problems:
- Helps to comply with the power quality standards and regulatory requirements
- Enables low voltage distribution monitoring with the Mobus RTU communication interface
- Cost-effective and quick alternative for conventional network reinforcement or expansion
- Robust, reliable, and sustainable, can be relocated and reused according to need.