Methods of fast charging and discharging of MV

capacitor
Gyan Prakash
Lovely professional university
Reg No- 11114502

The location of the capacitors in an electrical

network constitutes what is known as the
"compensation mode". This is determined by:
the objective desired (penalty suppres- sion,
cable relief, transformers..., increasing the
voltage level),
the electrical distribution mode,
the loading rate,
the predictable influence of the capaci- tors
on the characteristics of thenetwork
the cost of the installation.
Reactive energy compensation can be
(see fig. 1):
overall, for example:
HV network for EDF 1
MV network for a medium voltage subscriber 2
LV network for a low voltage subscriber 3 on
fixed type bank.
by sector, for example:
by distribution center for EDF (primary
substation) 4
by workshop or building for a low voltage
subscriber 5
individual
This compensation is technically ideal since it
produces reactive energy at the point where it
is consumed, and in quantities strictly adjusted
according to the demand.However, this solution

Submitted To
Mukul Chanakya

is
costly
and
generally
leads
to
overcompensation since it does not include
combining possibilities for load increases.
Example: large medium and low voltage
motors.
It is more economical to install capacitor banks
for MV and HV for power ratings exceeding
about 1,000 kVAr. However, analysis of
different countries networks shows that there is
no universal rule.
The compensation mode depends on
the country's and company's distributors energy
policy. In the U.S.A. compen- sation is
essentially in MV for tariff policy reasons. In
contrast in Germany, compensation is done in
LV, because it is logical to compensate exactly
at the
reactive energy consumption point.
in France, EDF installs fixed banks on the 63
and 90 kV networks and multiple banks in its
HV/MV substations on its
10, 15, and 20 kV networks.
The power on the latter can reach
4.8 MVAr at 20 kV.

MV compensation techniques
Standards compensation
The capacitor banks are connected in parallel to
the network.

They can be:

single (see fig. 1)
When their reactive power is low and the load
relatively stable.
multiple (see fig. 2)
This type of compensation is commonly called
"back to back".
This type of bank is widely used in heavy
industry (high power load) and power suppliers
(EDF in the primary substations).
It allows step by step reactive energy
regulation.
Switching on or off multiple banks can be
controlled by varmeter type relays.
Special compensations
Note: these systems are briefly covered for
information.
instantaneous static compensators When
continuous and variable compensation is
required (industries with very variable high
loads and regulation on some EHV networks),
installations combining capacitors, variable
inductances and power electronics are set up
(see fig. 4). The system generally comprises:
fixed bank of capacitors,
a set of harmonic filters absorbing network
harmonics and harmonics generated by the
installation itself (power electronics),
a variable inductance connected through
thyristors. This inductance absorbs the excess
reactive energy generated by the capacitors,
some of these capacitors can be
switched themselves by thyristor.
series bank
In the case of large networks with long lines,
capacitor banks can be mounted in series on
the line (see fig. 3).

Fig.1

Fig.2

Fig.3

Dicharging of MV Capacitor
In the 66 kV and below power system, discharge
coil shunted with high-voltage capacitors
quickly release the
residual charge of the capacitor as it removed
from the power system to ensure the security
of the capacitor itself
and other devices when they are put into use
again [1]. The whole process of discharge can
be equaled with RLC

circuit in which charged capacitance C interact

with inductance L and resistor R [2]. The
combination of the
three parameters may result in oscillation which
should be avoided in actual operation [3]. In the
process of discharge,
the RC circuit without inductance L can not only
prevent the phenomenon of oscillation, but also
reach
the purpose of releasing energy. This paper
compared the discharge property of the two
circuits by observing
time t, during which the voltage of capacitor
decays to a curtain value, and the variation of
the current.

Charging Method

Discharge
discharge:

time

for

constant

resistance

t= CR ln ( V1 / V0 )
Where:
t discharge time,
V0 initial voltage
V1 ending voltage
I current

Measure Capacitance
Super capacitors have such large capacitance
values that standard measuring equipment
cannot be used to measure the capacity of
these capacitors.

Measurement is performed using a charge

Capacitance is measured per the following
method:

This method is similar to the charging method

except the capacitance is calculated during the
discharge cycle instead of the charging cycle.

Charge capacitor for 30 minutes at rated

voltage.
Discharge capacitor through a constant current
load.
Discharge rate to be 1mA/F.
Measure voltage drop between V1 to V2.
Measure time for capacitor to discharge from
V1 to V2.
Calculate the capacitance using the following
equation:
C = I * ( T2 T1 )
V1 V2
Where:
V1 = 0.7 Vr, V2 = 0.3 Vr (Vr rated voltage of
capacitor)

Discharge time for constant current discharge:

Advantages of the MV capacitors

t= Cx ( V0 V1 ) / I

Cell voltage determined by the circuit

application, not limited by the cell chemistry.

method using the following formula:

C=t/R
t = 0.632 x Vo where Vo is the applied voltage.
Charge and discharge methods

Discharge Method

Very high cell voltages possible (but there is a

trade-off with capacity)
High power available.
High power density.
Simple charging methods. No special charging
or voltage detection circuits required.
Very fast charge and discharge. Can be charged
and discharged in seconds. Much faster than
batteries.
No chemical actions.
Can not be overcharged.
Long cycle life of more than 500,000 cycles at
100% DOD.
Long calendar life 10 to 20 years
Virtually unlimited cycle life not subject to the
wear and aging experienced by the
electrochemical battery.
Low impedance enhances pulse current
handling by paralleling with an electrochemical
battery.
Rapid
charging

low-impedance
supercapacitors charge in seconds.
Simple charge methods voltage-limiting circuit
compensates for selfdischarge; no full-charge
detection circuit needed.
Cost-effective energy storage lower energy
density is compensated by a very high cycle
count.
Almost zero maintenance and long life, with
little degradation over hundreds of thousands
of cycles.
While
most
commercially
available
rechargeable batteries can be charged 200 to
1000 times, ultracapacitors can be charged and
discharged hundreds of thousands of times with
no damage.However, in reality, they can be
charged and discharged virtually unlimited
number of times, and will last for the entire
lifetime of most devices and applications they
are used in, thus making them environmentally
friendly.

Battery lifetime can be optimised by only

charging under favorable conditions, at an ideal
rate and, for some chemistries, as infrequently
as possible.
Ultracapacitors can help in conjunction with
batteries by acting as a charge conditioner,
storing energy from other sources for load
balancing purposes and then using any excess
energy to charge the batteries at a suitable
time.
Increased safety since they can handle short
circuit and reverse polarity. Also, there is no fire
and explosion hazard.
Improved environmental safety since there is
no corrosive electrolyte and toxicity of
materials used is low.
Rechargeable batteries on the other hand wear
out typically over a few years, and their highly
reactive chemical electrolytes present a
disposal and safety hazard.
Rugged since they have Epoxy Resin Sealed
Case which is non corrosive.

References:
1.http://electrical-engineering-portal.com
2.IEEE
publications
142
control
equipment for MV
capacitor banks