Power quality and corrective action in an aluminum smelter

This paper presents the findings of an analysis to correct power factor and harmonic resonant conditions at a dedicated 540 MVA utility substation supplying a 470 MW aluminum smelting plant. Correcting the power factor frees up MW capacity for future plant growth and lowers current power costs. Correcting the harmonic resonant conditions allows for continuous full operation under all contingency switching, limits transformer and existing in place capacitor damage, and removes harmonic problems on the utility grid under spare operating conditions. Accurate modeling of the aluminum plant distribution system and load was critical in proper specification of corrective equipment