Large electrical loads in mines, steel plants or rolling
mills have a significant effect on the public electrical
supply network. Network disturbances such as reactive
power generation, voltage distortion or voltage
variation occur frequently. Because utilities must
impose penalties upon the operator who causes the
disturbance, if certain limits are exceeded – the
worst-case scenario being the shutdown of the plant –
such disturbances should be minimized, also in order to
minimize problems within the plant itself.
Our solution SIMETAL PQ: Compensation
systems that can not only reduce the negative impact of
typical plant loads to specified limits, but can also
result in savings in energy costs – and can thus pay off
quickly. Based on our extensive experience with the
processes in melt shops and rolling mills, we can
The three available systems – filter circuits, dynamic
reactive power compensators (SVC and SVC Plus) – can be connected to an
existing supply network.
Filter circuits call for the lowest investment costs and can
be used to reduce reactive power consumption and harmonic
voltage distortion. Dynamic reactive power compensators (SVC,
respective SVC Plus) also comprise a thyristor-controlled reactor
(TCR), respective a voltage source converter (VSC). In
addition to the features provided by filter circuits, they
reduce flicker and keep the bus voltage constant – which in
many cases allows the production output to be increased e.g. in
three-phase electrical arc furnaces.
In case a SVC system cannot fulfill flicker requirements, a SVC
Plus system consisting of a voltage source converter (VSC) should
be installed.
For greenfield sites as well as modernization projects, the
best results are achieved if everything comes from a single
source – from the power supply and compensation system right
down to the arc or roll bite – in order to ensure a safe,
stable production process without negative effects both
inside and outside the plant.