For industrial facilities, commercial enterprises, and high-power consumers, reactive energy control is vital not only for improving energy quality but also for preventing potential reactive power penalty charges. In Turkey, legal regulations on this subject are clearly defined within the scope of the EPDK (Energy Market Regulatory Authority) reactive power penalty regulation.
What is Reactive Penalty?
Electricity distribution companies impose reactive power penalties on consumers who draw reactive power above certain limits. This penalty indicates inefficient energy use and is reflected as an additional cost on the bill.
Situations Where the Reactive Energy Tariff Does Not Apply
Reactive energy charges do not apply to the following subscribers:
Residential subscribers
Lighting tariff users
Single-phase supplied subscribers
Subscribers with connection power up to 9 kW (inclusive)
Energy producers (in the supply direction and in cases subject to Article 16, paragraph 3)
Note: Compensation systems are not mandatory for these users.
Situations in which the Reactive Energy Tariff is Applied
Aşağıdaki koşullar oluştuğunda reaktif enerji bedeli faturalara yansıtılır:
- Yukarıdaki kapsam dışında kalan tüm kullanıcılar (özellikle ticarethane, sanayi, organize sanayi, AVM, vb.)
- Sisteme enerji veren üreticiler (çekiş yönünde, 16. maddenin 4. fıkrasına tabi olanlar)
Kompanzasyon sisteminde yılda bir kez yaşanan arızadan kaynaklı ihlal, cezaya tabi tutulmaz. Reaktif enerji ölçüm sistemi, dağıtım şirketi tarafından kurulmalıdır. Kurulmamışsa reaktif ceza uygulanamaz.
Reagent Overshoot Criteria
For installations with a capacity below 50 kVA:
If inductive reactive energy consumption exceeds 33% of active energy
If capacitive reactive energy exceeds 20% of active energy
Reactive energy charges will be applied.
For installations with a capacity of 50 kVA and above:
Inductive ratio > 20%
Capacitive ratio > 15%
Reactive energy charges will be applied.
No reactive energy penalty will be applied during periods when these ratios are not exceeded.
Method of Applying Reactive Energy Charges
If the inductive limit is exceeded: The tariff will be applied to all inductive reactive energy measured by the meter.
If the capacitive limit is exceeded: The tariff will be applied to all capacitive reactive energy measured by the meter.
If both limits are exceeded: The reactive energy tariff will be applied to the total value on the meter corresponding to the higher limit.
Meters Not Recording Any Values (Article 14)
If both inductive and capacitive meters show zero due to user error, the bill will show reactive energy consumption equal to 90% of the active energy drawn, and a penalty will be calculated based on this value. However, if the user can document that these meters are working correctly (for example, with a meter calibration station report), the reactive energy charge will be waived on the next bill.
How to Prevent Reactive Penalty Through Compensation?
Reactive power compensation systems are installed to balance reactive energy in the system using capacitors or shunt reactors. The compensation system:
Reduces phase difference,
Increases power factor,
Reduces load on the grid,
Ensures you stay below penalty limits.
In modern systems, capacitor banks are dynamically switched on or off according to the load condition thanks to automatic compensation relays. Accurate calculation of compensation penalties is crucial for eliminating both inductive and capacitive reactive penalty risks, as well as ensuring the stable and efficient operation of the grid.