16-08-2014, 06:32 PM
Most of what has been written is just about correct - albeit a bit 'thin' in places. However, let's think about this extract for half a mo':
Reactive power is now reclaimed and recycled by the Energy Controller, resulting in such power being supplied locally.
A statement, which taken word for word, is very nearly correct. But when the word 'recycled' is used in that statement, recycled to whom and to where? In effect, it is 'recycled' back to where that 'power is being supplied locally'. So, in effect, the load that is being supplied has a improved power factor - so the supplier of your electrical energy can now generate less reactive volt-amps than otherwise would be the case. Hence, it is cheaper for him to generate a given amount of kVA - and with that, a given amount of kW. So, who is it that is making any savings? The generating plant, not the consumer! And the (domestic) consumer pays for kWh - kilowatt hours, not kVA - kilovolt-amps.
When I last looked at it, my electricity meter stated 'kWh', not 'kVA'. So I am changed for watts I use, not the volt-amps.
In a nut-shell, this is no more than elementary power factor correction, achievable with capacitors (for inductive loads). And that is for the benefit of the supplier, not the consumer.
Overall, then, this is a con, aimed at the ignorant and the gullible.
Al.
Reactive power is now reclaimed and recycled by the Energy Controller, resulting in such power being supplied locally.
A statement, which taken word for word, is very nearly correct. But when the word 'recycled' is used in that statement, recycled to whom and to where? In effect, it is 'recycled' back to where that 'power is being supplied locally'. So, in effect, the load that is being supplied has a improved power factor - so the supplier of your electrical energy can now generate less reactive volt-amps than otherwise would be the case. Hence, it is cheaper for him to generate a given amount of kVA - and with that, a given amount of kW. So, who is it that is making any savings? The generating plant, not the consumer! And the (domestic) consumer pays for kWh - kilowatt hours, not kVA - kilovolt-amps.
When I last looked at it, my electricity meter stated 'kWh', not 'kVA'. So I am changed for watts I use, not the volt-amps.
In a nut-shell, this is no more than elementary power factor correction, achievable with capacitors (for inductive loads). And that is for the benefit of the supplier, not the consumer.
Overall, then, this is a con, aimed at the ignorant and the gullible.
Al.
