Study on the Capacitive Effects of Underground Power Cables on the Operational Electricity Distribution Network

Abstract

In this study, known compensation methods are mentioned and the reactive components of medium voltage underground cables used in the lines are emphasized. Iğdır University electricity distribution network is considered as the application area. Based on the information that XLPE type medium voltage cables used in electricity distribution networks show capacitor properties when they are unloaded, capacitive analyses of medium voltage cables forming Iğdır University electricity distribution network were made by considering the distance and cross-sections of the medium voltage cables, the layout plan and single line diagram of the distribution network were drawn and the powers of the transformers were classified. Iğdır University electricity consumption components were analyzed and what should be done was investigated. Because as a result of the researches, it was learnt whether the capacitive consumption is caused by the cables or the wrong connection of the meters or the presence of loads with permanent capacitive properties in the system. A shunt reactor panel was designed for capacitive consumption caused by the presence of XLPE (Cross-related Polyethylene) cables and the results were analyzed. A comparative evaluation of the results of the economic analysis of this shunt reactor panel was carried out. A pricing system has been established in which these limits will not be exceeded.

Keywords:

• Capacitive consumption
• economic analysis
• losses in transmission lines
• long transmission lines
• reactive power
• shunt reactor panel
• underground cables
• XLPE (cross-related polyethylene) cables

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This article was written by Mehmet Nasir Angay at the Institute of Sciences of the ğdır University and was consulted by Assoc. prof. Dr. Gokhan Sahin. It has been produced by Thesis titled (Investigation of capacitive effect of underground power cables of Iğdır university distribution network under operation).

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gökhan Şahin

Gökhan Şahin is a researcher in the field of “Photovoltaic Integration” at Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development, Utrecht University. He received his BSc degree in Physics from Kütahya Dumlupınar University, Department of Physics in 2005, MSc degree in Solar Energy Materials and Systems in 2010 and PhD degree in the same field from Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal in 2014. He first worked as an associate professor at Iğdır University, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Electrical Installations Division. His research interests include solar cell conversion efficiency, environmental parameters affecting the performance analysis of standard PV systems, electrical installations, electric power electronics and electric energy.

Mehmet Nasır Angay

Mehmet Nasır Angay is working as an Electrical and Electronics Engineer at Iğdır University, Department of Construction Works and Technical Department. He was born on 15.10.1980 in the central district of Iğdır. He started his primary education in Ağrı Doğubayazıt district and completed his secondary and high school education in Iğdır. In 2001, he started his undergraduate education at Fırat University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. In 2019, he completed his master's thesis under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gökhan Şahin and received the title of graduate engineer. His research interests are electrical installations, electric power electronics and electric energy.

Sabir Rustemli

Sabir Rustemli is Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Bitlis Eren University in Bitlis, Bitlis, Turkey. He is an Engineer by training (MSc/PhD) and has over 30 years of experience in the high voltage field. Neutrals of Transformers in Networks Earthed Through Non-Linear Reactors. He has worked both experimentally and theoretically on Modelling Transient Recovery Voltage. His current activities are High Voltage, Transmission, Distribution Systems, Renewable Energy Systems, electric power electronics and electric energy.

Wilfried van Sark

Wilfried van Sark is full professor “Integration of Photovoltaics” at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development. He is a experimental physicist by training (MSc/PhD), and has over 40 years of experience in the field of PV. He worked on various material systems including crystalline and thin film silicon and III-V solar cells, both experimentally and theoretically. His current activities focus on employing spectrum conversion to increase solar cell conversion efficiency for next-generation PV energy converters, and performance analysis of building-integrated and standard PV systems. This in particular links to integration of PV systems in smart grids in the built environment.