Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!know!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!ncar!noao!amethyst!europa!raymond From: raymond@europa (Raymond Man) Newsgroups: comp.misc Subject: Re: Leaving computer equipment on all the time Message-ID: <2100@amethyst.math.arizona.edu> Date: 4 Oct 90 00:48:37 GMT References: <1084@beguine.UUCP> <1990Oct3.215436.27184@mthvax.cs.miami.edu> Sender: news@amethyst.math.arizona.edu Reply-To: raymond@europa.UUCP (Raymond Man) Distribution: na Organization: University of Arizona at Tucson Lines: 22 The load optimization in building are used to lower the maximum kVA demand which is just the maximum of the instaneous reactive power drawn by the building during the charge period. The savings depends on the tariff structure. The place I am from divides consumers into residential and bulk tariff classes. Residential consumer rates base solely on the actual kWh used. Bulk tariff is cheaper per kWh but there is a charge per kVA. Since the kVA meter records the maximum, buidling automation systems would shed less needed load during peak hours to lower the maximum kVA demand recorded to reduce the charge. Since most buidling loads are inductive, eg. motors, florescense lights, by connecting capacitors with the main, the power factor can be move back closer to 1 and, for the same actual power used, the kVA demand will be less. I imgine most residential house do not have bulk tariff nor kVA meter, so "power factor correctors" are irrelevenat. Just call me `Man'. "And why take ye thought for " -- Matt. 6:28 raymond@jupiter.ame.arizona.edu