Optimization of reactive power compensation in industrial facilities with photovoltaic distributed generation.

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21712/lajer.2025.v12.n3.p135-144

Keywords:

power factor, photovoltaic generation, capacitor banks, linear programming, energy efficiency

Abstract

The advancement of distributed photovoltaic generation in industrial environments has led to a significant reduction in electricity costs but has also changed the reactive power demand profile of installations. This shift can reduce the overall power factor (PF), leading to tariff penalties and overloading of the electrical system. This work presents an optimization model for PF correction in industrial consumers with photovoltaic generation, employing simplex linear programming to size and allocate fixed and automatic capacitor banks. The methodology considers multiple generation and demand scenarios, allowing reactive power compensation to be adjusted efficiently and economically. The study shows that the integration of photovoltaic plants can cause a significant reduction in PF during periods of high generation, requiring adaptable compensation strategies. The results indicate that applying the proposed model makes it possible to maintain the PF within the regulatory limits established by the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL), avoiding penalties for excess reactive power and ensuring the economic benefits of distributed generation. The approach contributes to industrial energy planning by integrating renewable generation with reactive power correction techniques, enhancing both efficiency and system reliability.

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Author Biographies

  • Kátia K. M. de França, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Norte – Natal Central Campus (IFRN-CNAT)

    Kátia Kellen Martins de França holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from UNIASSELVI and is currently a senior student in the Energy Engineering program at the Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN). She also holds technical degrees in Building Construction and Road Engineering from IFRN, providing her with a strong foundation in infrastructure, construction systems, and the integration of civil and energy engineering.

    Throughout her academic career, she has served as a teaching assistant and tutor in Calculus I and Linear Algebra, focusing on collaborative teaching practices and inclusive methodologies aimed at improving learning outcomes in the fields of science and engineering.

    Her scientific contributions include presentations at major national and international conferences. At the 53rd Brazilian Congress on Engineering Education (COBENGE 2025) and the 8th International Symposium on Engineering Education, she presented the following works:

    • Automation of the Cooling and Cleaning Process of Photovoltaic Modules at IFRN – Natal Central Campus;

    • Technical Education in Electrotechnics and the Energy Transition: The Case of Wind Energy in the IFRN Technical Course Curriculum;

    • A Decade of Energy Engineering Education at IFRN-CNAT: Analysis of Student Profiles and Training Potential in a Pioneering Program.

    She also presented research at the 25th International Congress of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (CONEMI) and the 3rd FENAMEC, including:

    • Formation and Identity in a Pioneering Program: The Academic Production of the Energy Engineering Course at IFRN (2014–2025);

    • Automated System for Cooling and Cleaning Photovoltaic Modules Using Condensation Water: A Case Study at IFRN – Natal Central Campus;

    • Chitosan/4,4’-Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate Microcapsules: Synthesis and Characterization.

    Kátia currently participates in research and innovation projects registered with PROPI/RE/IFRN, focusing on sustainability and energy efficiency, including:

    • Optimization of Reactive Power Compensation in Industrial Units with Distributed Photovoltaic Generation (Call No. 01/2025 – PROPI/RE/IFRN);

    • A Decade of Energy Engineering Education at IFRN-CNAT (Call No. 01/2025 – PROPI/RE/IFRN);

    • Automation of the Cooling and Cleaning Process of Photovoltaic Modules at IFRN – Natal Central Campus (Call No. 01/2025 – PROPI/RE/IFRN);

    • Synthesis of Biodiesel from Waste Oil for Use in a Generator Engine (Call No. 01/2024 – PROPI/RE/IFRN);

    • Polymers Obtained from Shrimp Farming Industry Waste in Rio Grande do Norte (Call No. 01/2024 – PROPI/RE/IFRN).

    She is also involved in teaching and extension projects aimed at technological innovation and the practical application of renewable energy systems, such as:

    • Automation and Sustainability in Photovoltaic Systems: Didactic Manual on the Reuse of Condensation Water;

    • Educational Platform for the Operation and Experimental Testing of Wind Turbine Generators.

    Professionally, she worked at New Energy Engenharia, in the photovoltaic project sector, where she contributed to the design and implementation of solar power systems. She also gained experience at Três M Empreendimentos and GMA Construções, performing both technical and administrative roles that integrated her expertise in engineering, building design, and project management.

    With an interdisciplinary academic background and extensive experience in applied research, Kátia Kellen Martins de França is dedicated to the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency, technological education, and sustainability, establishing herself as a professional committed to scientific innovation and the sustainable development of Brazil’s energy sector.

  • Dr. José Adriano da Costa , Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Norte – Natal Central Campus (IFRN-CNAT)

    Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (1999), a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the same university (2002), and a Ph.D. in Energy Planning from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro – COPPE/UFRJ (2019), with emphasis on electric power distribution and systems optimization.

    He has professional experience in an electric power distribution company, having served as Manager of the Operation and Maintenance Units of the Electrical System at Companhia Energética do Rio Grande do Norte (COSERN).

    He is currently a tenured professor at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN), where he teaches in the Energy Engineering and Electrotechnics programs.

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Published

11/29/2025

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Eficiência Energética

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Copyright (c) 2025 Latin American Journal of Energy Research

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How to Cite

França, K.K.M. de and Costa, J.A. da (2025) “Optimization of reactive power compensation in industrial facilities with photovoltaic distributed generation”., Latin American Journal of Energy Research, 12(3), pp. 135–144. doi:10.21712/lajer.2025.v12.n3.p135-144.