dewa-launched-power-factor-campaign-targeting-commercial-and-industrial-sectors

In order to optimize the use of electricity and the fight against global warming Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has launched for the first time, a campaign to reach out to commercial and industrial customers on the issue of Power Factor aimed at reducing the carbon footprint. Power Factor (PF) is the ratio of active power (kW), and apparent power (kVA), which when calculated, provides the Power Factor, a parameter of 0 to 1. When the Power Factor is near to the one, the reduction in the electricity consumption is at its highest, and when less than one, electricity consumption is increased which results in greater capital costs on networks that feed these loads. Speaking on the Power Factor campaign, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer Managing Director and CEO of DEWA said: “DEWA has launched this campaign in line with the Environmental Strategy for Dubai Government to reduce the carbon emission rates in support of a better and more sustainable future for coming generations. DEWA is working hard to give full support, advice and raise awareness in the community and organizations so as to face the environmental challenges and the increase in the consumption rates”. HE also added: “High levels of electricity and energy are wastage by large equipment and machinery in the commercial and industrial sectors. By targeting the sector and encouraging the installation of Power Factor correction capacitors a business will enjoy benefits such as increased efficiency and prolonged lifetime of the equipment and reduce the wastage of electricity in the internal networks, as well as contributing to building a greener, safer and more sustainable future for coming generations.” To ensure that commercial and industrial customers optimise the Power Factor within the recommended ranges of 0.95 to 1.0, DEWA is targeting the sector to disseminate the advantages of a high Power Factor and how to install automatic Power Factor correction equipment for the customers’ loads. Power Factor correction capacitors are commonly used to improve the Power Factor to keep it between 0.95 to 1.0, in this case, correction equipment known as Capacitor Banks are installed at three different levels in an electrical installation; at the main switch board, at distribution points, or at the loads. “This is the first time we have made a campaign specifically targeting the issue of Power Factor. The campaign will run across broadcast media and have a visible presence with 150,000 Power Factor Correction leaflets distributed to businesses in the emirate,” commented Amal Koshak, Senior Manager Demand & Tariff Management. Amal continued: “We want everyone to avoid the negative impact of low Power Factor and keep the PF of equipment between 1 and 0.95 by installing automatic correction equipment. I encourage all businesses to contact the DEWA customer call centre and find out how they can become our partner in fighting global warming today.” DEWA can be contacted on 04 6019999. Advantages of Power Factor Correction • Saving on electricity • Increased efficiency of the electrical equipment • Increased lifetime of induction equipment such as motors, etc. • Enhanced voltage profile • Reduction of circuit currents • Reduced internal distribution system losses • Reduces the apparent power of loads, which will result in increasing the available capacity (kVA) of the distribution network components such as transformers