Reactive power
Reactive power in the SpeicherCampus context: relevant for grid quality and grid operator requirements. Technically, the term is usually described as oscillating power that performs no useful work.
What does reactive power mean?
Reactive power oscillates between source and load without performing work — it arises from inductive loads such as motors and transformers. It nevertheless burdens cables and transformers, and grid operators bill it above defined limits (cos φ).
Modern storage PCS units can deliver or absorb reactive power on demand: the storage system then compensates the site’s power factor on the side — an often overlooked extra function.
What matters in practice
- check the grid bill’s reactive-power clauses (cos φ limit, billing method)
- clarify PCS capability: power factor range per datasheet (e.g. -0.99 to +0.99)
- providing reactive power reduces available active power — plan for it
- integrate existing compensation equipment into the concept
Practical example
A business with many motors regularly pays reactive-power surcharges. The storage PCS takes over compensation during normal operation — the old capacitor bank was retired and the surcharge vanished from the bill.
The SpeicherCampus perspective
SpeicherCampus examines the reactive-power situation as part of the grid bill analysis — a potential side benefit that quietly improves the system economics.