ABB introduced its new multi-functional power quality and energy storage solutions that the company designed to mitigate a range of power quality problems for electrical networks.
ABB points out that unlike conventional power quality management solutions which give a fixed level of compensation for power quality issues such as harmonics, filtering, or electrical pollution, its power quality management solutions are based on active power electronics technologies. Such active power electronics enables variable, fast, smooth and accurate compensation for power quality issues, including multiple order of harmonics, varying power factor, and unbalanced loading. Furthermore, products that employ such active power electronics technology are more compact, and therefore perfect for applications where space is limited or costly.
ABB's new portfolio is comprised of five solutions including the PQflexC, a variable reactive power controller; the PQdynaC, an ultra-fast reactive power and unbalance controller; the PQactiF, an active harmonic filter; and the PQStorI, a battery storage inverter with power quality functions. Finally, the PQoptiM color touchscreen controls and monitors power quality parameters for all of the solutions.
The product family is further enabled by the company's Ability™ cloud-connecting and Industrial Internet of Things framework to let the devices be operated and controlled through cloud-connected user platforms to enable real-time access to data.
PQflexC
PQflexC provides a stepless solution for varying power factor problems. It features a modular design and employs efficient technology to deliver a smooth reactive power compensation for the networks subjected to varying kVAR demand or supply, such as utilities, industries, or infrastructure establishments.
The modular design of PQflexC lets it operate with a wide range of power ratings for various industrial, utility and infrastructure applications. Compensation for both inductive and capacitive loads is possible via a wide setpoint range from .6lag to .6lead.
Thanks to its smooth switching operation, setting up a single unit of PQflexC with any stepped capacitor bank can make its operation stepless. Features such as control parts, three-level inverter technology, and segregated cooling design for reactors combine to give PQflexC a high energy efficiency.
Mounting configurations including wall mounting, rack mounting, or standalone cabinet mounting are available to meet requirements. A programmed 7-inch touchscreen interface makes the operation of PQflexC quite user-friendly.
Also with enhanced communication features, PQflexC modules can be operated, via an on-board Wi-Fi, through a distant workstation or even a smartphone app.
Applications for PQflexC include utility power distribution networks; industrial facilities of sectors like metals, mining, textile, power generation, and others; commercial installations and data server facilities; and retrofitting projects of conventional fixed capacitor banks.
PQdynaC
PQdynaC is a high-speed system that compensates sudden and large disturbances from reactive power changes in power networks, and keeps the network stable and healthy. ABB designed it to detect the grid disturbance, and act rapidly and smoothly so critical network parameters such as power factor and reactive power remain within acceptable limits. As a consequence, it also has a positive influence on the network voltage stability. In addition to fast reactive power compensation, PQdynaC provides a load balancing feature and is available in a version incorporating limited harmonic filtering.
PQdynaC can reportedly almost instantaneously offset the lagging or leading power factor and the load unbalance resulting from fast-changing loads. Modular design gives it the flexibility to build a wide range of power ratings to meet all industrial as well as infrastructural energy compensation needs.
Applications for PQdynaCn traction and metro (light rail) substations; multiple industrial segments like mining, metals, paper, and others; sensitive load compensation(e.g. hospitals); reactive power compensation where overcompensation is not allowed (such as generator fed networks).
PQactiF
ABB's active harmonic filter PQactiF is the modular, flexible, high-efficiency solution for modern power networks' issues of ‘pollutants', like low power factor, harmonics, and unbalances.
PQactiF protects critical residential, commercial, and industrial applications. PQactiF has advanced features like active harmonic filtering, reactive power compensation, load balancing, and enhanced communication capabilities, as a one-stop solution for power quality management. PQactiF helps make installations compliant with prevailing power quality regulations by mitigating harmonic pollution, load unbalance and reactive power.
PQactiF comes in a wide range of ratings for a broad range of consumer applications. Its modular design allows flexible installation and integration. The power quality solution offers an inherently energy efficient design, combined with the remote access feature via WiFi, and can come with the optional user-friendly graphical user interface.
Applications for PQactiF include all types of industrial installations; infrastructure facilities, like corporate parks, hotels or data storage facilities; and OEM integration, such as making drive packages comply with harmonic standards in an economical way.
PQstorI
PQstorI is the new generation of ABB's energy storage inverters. The company designed PQstorI to efficiently address the needs of the fast-growing energy storage market for behind the meter applications including power quality, back-up power, and peak shaving, quality, as well as utility-scale applications such as load leveling, capacity firm, frequency response, and integration of renewables.
PQstorI advantages include its flexibility, modularity and higher efficiency for energy storage applications that need 3-level bi-directional inverters. The solution is loaded with enhanced power quality features like load balancing, harmonics filtering, and reactive power compensation make it the perfect power converter for energy storage applications.
The operation of PQstorI is said to be highly user-friendly, due to its 7-inch color touchscreen named as PQoptiM controller.
Applications for PQstorI include small and medium industrial installations; commercial buildings; data server centers; and renewable energy generating stations like solar power plants and wind farms.
