Request for the average Power Factor at 400V for non-domestic sites in the UK

matt robbins made this Freedom of Information request to Office of Gas and Electricity Markets

The request was partially successful.

From: matt robbins

9 March 2009

Dear Sir or Madam,
This is a Freedom of Information Request, could you please advise
the Power Factor of the UK electrical grid.

Yours faithfully,
M Robin

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From: FOI
Office of Gas and Electricity Markets

9 March 2009

Hi Matt,

Can you explain exactly what you mean by `power factor' please, as this could be expressed in a number of different ways.

Yours

Paul Kitcher
Ofgem
Research and Information

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From: matt robbins

9 March 2009

Hi Paul,

Many thanks for your prompt response.

We're looking for an independent, peer reviewed figure for the
difference between kVA supplied to kW used or failing that the
figure that companies buying and selling electricity assume/use in
their calculations and whether this is monitored/stipulated by
Ofgem. This figure can then be used in calculations for improving
the efficiency of the network/show improvement in carbon reductions
by increasing the Power Factor of the UK system. I know the BCMA
(British Capacitors Manufacturers Association) compiled a report a
few years ago but the figure they came up with is at best
"arguable".

Many thanks

Matt Robbins

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From: FOI
Office of Gas and Electricity Markets

9 March 2009

OK Matt,

I'll have a chat with the technical guys here and see if they have a definition for the network, or if we've quoted it into a document anywhere recently.

Paul

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From: FOI
Office of Gas and Electricity Markets

16 March 2009

Hi Matt,

I have discussed your question with the head of our technical team and as far as we are aware this figure does not exist. Reactive power is not usually measured for LV supplies so it would have to be an estimate in any case.

It is possible that the trade body, Energy Networks Association might be able to help you with this.

Sorry that we could not be more help.

Paul Kitcher
Ofgem
Research and Information

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From: matt robbins

16 March 2009

Hi Paul

i thought that might be the case but thought there might be an
official value put on this for calculating minimum VA supply values
by the generating companies. Is Ofgem in a position to enforce
network/grid efficiencies or do they rely on market forces for
this. I know that there was some pressure to make electricity bills
more "transparent" so inefficiencies could be highlighted (i.e. low
power factor) and that these inefficiencies be charged for (poor
power factor or reactive charges) - how does Ofgem measure that
imposition of these measures have been effective ?

Once again many thanks for looking in to this
Regards
Matt Robbins

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From: FOI
Office of Gas and Electricity Markets

16 March 2009

Hi Matt, I'll go back to the networks/ technical team with you question.

Regards

Paul

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From: FOI
Office of Gas and Electricity Markets

3 April 2009

Hi Matt,

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner.

The DNOs are required by the distribution licence to develop, maintain and operate their systems in an efficient and co-ordinated way. We encourage this behaviour by incentive regulation. The incentives operate to encourage lower capital and operating costs as well as lower system losses and better supply quality to customers.

Work is going on right now to look at charging for reactive power.

Paul Kitcher
Ofgem
Research & Information

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From: matt robbins

3 April 2009

Dear Paul

Thanks for getting back

what sort of time frame are we looking at for this work to be
completed?

It's interesting that the new Building Regulations (part L) have
"incentivised" the requirement for PFC equipment and before
privatisation of the uk electricity industry there appears to have
been a "best practice" for it's installation and financial
penalties for poor power factor so it's not as if it's a new
technology people don't know about or understand - surely there
can't be pressure from the DNOs not to charge ?

Cheers
Matt

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From: Library
Office of Gas and Electricity Markets

7 April 2009

Dear Matt,

Paul is away this week so I have followed up on your question. I have been advised that the DNOs are currently developing a DUoS charging model for implementation in April 2010. The model includes a charge for reactive power. The industry is planning to publish a short consultation paper on reactive power charging. The paper should appear on the following page of the ENA website in the next couple of days:

http://2009.energynetworks.org/structure...

I hope this helps.
Best wishes,

Emma

Emma Davis
Assistant Librarian
Research and Information Centre
Ofgem
9 Millbank
London, SW1P 3GE

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From: matt robbins

7 April 2009

Hi Emma

Thanks for the information - we'll pick our way through this

all the best
Matt

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