This course presents an overview of modern practices in raising efficiency of power systems through application of reactive power and voltage regulation. It starts with discussion about the structure of power systems from a power plant to the customer, and typical power system voltages in different parts of the system. This is followed by the chapter explaining how power losses and voltage drops in the power system may be reduced through compensation of reactive power either by shunt capacitors for an inductive load or shunt reactors for a capacitive load. Arrangement of shunt capacitor bank and a sequence of it’s design is considered as well. Explanations are supported by numerous drawings, photos of actual equipment and the example showing how to design a 230 kV shunt capacitor bank. The final chapter discussing reasons for voltage regulation in power systems and means to perform it is then presented. Explanations are supported by photos and example showing how transformer winding taps may be selected. This course is applicable to power industry engineers and designers as well as colleges and universities faculty involved with either practical application of reactive power and voltage regulation or teaching its concepts. Once you complete your course review, you need to take a multiple choice quiz consisting of twenty (20) questions to earn PDH credits. The quiz will be fully based on the content of the course.

Learning Objectives

• Understand why reactive power needs to be regulated
• Draw power triangle
• List main equipment for reactive power regulation
• Size and design shunt capacitor bank for a specific power factor improvement
• Describe the mission of voltage regulation and means used to perform it
• For a specific limits of secondary voltage select a no-load taps on primary side of transformer