Capacitor Bank Control
Remotely monitor and manage capacitor banks on the distribution grid
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Capacitor Bank Control
Capacitor banks control the level of voltage supplied by minimizing voltage drops and absorbing energy from a line spike. Capacitor banks also provide Volt / VAR Control by switching in capacitor banks to compensate for VAR losses when large inductive loads occur, such as when air conditioners, furnaces, dryers, and/or industrial equipment start.
With a two-way network configured to communicate with capacitor banks at the substation, utilities can automate the process of switching in capacitor banks to maintain voltage levels and minimize VAR losses. By integrating centralizing capacitor bank control with a Distribution Management System (DMS), distribution networking provides:
- Centralized ability to switch bank in and out of operation
- Centralized monitoring and reporting
From a communications perspective, capacitor banks do not require much bandwidth and are latency tolerant but benefit from always-on connectivity to enhance grid reliability.
The SecureMesh WAN products provide an optimal solution for communication with capacitor banks. SecureMesh Connectors are cost-effective outdoor wireless devices that provide local Ethernet connectivity, either for a direct Ethernet connection or for a serial connection via a Ethernet-to-serial adapter, that enables communication via both legacy protocols (DNP3, Modbus) as well as TCP/IP. Each SecureMesh Connector provides long-range links (up to 7.5 miles apart) to connect remote reclosers with always-on and low-latency wireless communications. In addition, every link is encrypted for security and recloser communications can be partitioned into virtual private networks (VPNs) for additional security and traffic guarantees.
With the SecureMesh WAN providing distribution networking, the Smart Grid deployment can provide cost-effective communications to capacitor banks and integrate into SCADA and distribution management systems (DMS). Extending a Smart Grid network to capacitor banks results in improvements in grid reliability (i.e. lower SAIDI, MAIFI, CAIDI, SAIFI metrics), visibility into critical load information, asset management, and operations and maintenance costs, which also results in improvements in customer satisfaction.
With a Smart Grid extended to provide capacitor bank control and monitoring, utilities improve grid reliability, improve VAR control, improved asset management, and reduced operations and maintenance costs.
