Chapter-9

Types Of Electrical Power & Energy.

9.1 Types Of Electrical Power

As described in chapter-6, there are three components of power as illustrated by a

Power Triangle ABC.
Active Power
Reactive Power
Apparent Power

Fig : Power Triangle

The energy components associated with the above three components of power are
similarly.
Active Energy
Reactive Energy
Apparent Energy
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9.1.1 Active Power & Active Energy.

The base “AB” of the power triangle represents the Active Power. According to pathagourus
theorem; ( KVA2 = KW2 + KVAr2 )

Or KVA = √ (KW 2 + KVAr2 ) It is designated by a capital letter “P” generally

or with “ A “ in digital energy metering terminology.

From this expression the Active Power Component (KW) can de easily
derived as follows :

KVA = √( KW2 + KVAr2 )

Taking square on both sides, we have

( KVA2 = KW2 + KVAr2 )
From above expression KW2 = KVA2 - KVAr2
Or KW = √ ( KVA2 - KVAr2 )

The units being watts. Bigger units are Kilo Watts (KW), Mega Watts
( MW) and Giga Watts (GW).

Its mathematical representation is as given below:

Power P = V . I . Cos Φ

And energy derived from this active power is also an active energy.
Hence,

E = ∫0 T P. dt = ∫ 0
T
E I Cos Φ dt

i.e Active Energy is integral of active power over specific time interval.

This component is actually watt full components i.e. do some useful work and
actually is the power needed to drive the electrical appliances. Usually the nominal power
ratings of consumer appliances are given in this component.
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9.1.2 Reactive Power & Reactive Energy.

The perpendicular “AC” of the power triangle represents the Reactive Power.
According to pathagourus theorem; ( KVA2 = KW2 + KVAr2 )
Or KVA = √ (KW2 + KVAr2 ) It is designated by a capital letter “Q”.
From this expression the Reactive Power Component (KVAr) can de easily
derived as follows :
KVA = √ ( KW2 + KVAr2 )

Taking square on both sides, we have

( KVA2 = KW2 + KVAr2 )

From above expression KVAr2 = KVA2 - KW2

Or KVAr = √ ( KVA2 - KW2 )

The units being Volt-Ampere reactive (VAr). Bigger units are Kilo Volt-Ampere
reactive (KVAr), Mega Volt-Ampere reactive(MVAr).

Its mathematical representation is as given below:

Reactive Power Q = V . I . Sin Φ

And energy derived from this Reactive Power is also a Reactive Energy.

Hence,

EQ = ∫0 T Q. dt = ∫ 0
T
E I Sin Φ dt

i.e Reactive Energy is integral of reactive power over specific time interval.

This component (reactive energy) is actually waste full components i.e. can not do
any useful work and actually is the power / energy just wondering “to end fro” in the system.
It causes low power factor and voltage drop in the system.

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 Reactive power also hampers the KVA or MVA rating of the electrical system
( Generator, transformer, transmission line etc.). It is being generated due to use of inductive
and capacitive load causing lagging or leading power factor. Lightly loaded transmission
lines act as charged capacitor due to closer vicinity of earth . This feature causes line
charging current .

9.1.3 Apparent Power and Apparent Energy.

As previously discussed, according to pathagourus theorem;

( KVA2 = KW2 + KVAr2 )
Apparent Power2 = Active Power2 + Reactive Power2

Or KVA = √ (KW2 + KVAr2 )

The units being Volt-Ampere (VA). Bigger units are Kilo Volt-Ampere (KVA), Mega
Volt-Ampere ( MVA) and Giga Volt-Ampere( GVA). Its mathematical representation is as
given below:
Apparent Power S = V . I .
And energy derived from this Apparent Power is also a Apparent Energy.
Hence,

Es= ∫0 T S. dt = ∫ 0
T
E I dt

i.e. Apparent Energy is integral of apparent power over specific time interval.

9.2 Types Of Electrical Power.

Designation Power Type

P Active power (import / export).
Q Reactive power (import / export).
S Apparent power (import / export).

P+ Active power (import).

P- Active power (export).
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 Q+ Reactive power (import).
Q- Reactive power (export).

Quadrant Wise Reactive Power.

Q1 Reactive power in power quadrant-I ( P+ Q+)
Q2 Reactive power in power quadrant-II ( P- Q+)
Q3 Reactive power in power quadrant-III ( P- Q-)
Q4 Reactive energy in power quadrant-IV ( P+ Q-)

9.3 Types of Maximum Demands Indications and its implications.

It is maximum power drawn by the load or passing through the energy

meter during some specific time i.e. Half an hour period. If the current half hour demand
exceeds the any previous maximum demand, it will be replace with a new higher value of
Max demand with time log.

The diversity of individual consumer maximum demands, constitutes the maximum

demand on the system for some specific period of time for which max capacity of the
Generation, Transmission, and distribution system is being utilized. For rest of the non-peak
hours (for most of the time) the capacity of the utility equipment lies idle i.e. use-less (or
stand-by) for which utility has a heavy investment un-recovered.

So as to recover this heavy idle capacity of the equipment, a penalty (max demand
slab-wise) is imposed by the utility to its customers. This is to literate / compel the general
consumers to put-on min load on the system, to manage the heavy countrywide load easily
and to avoid ‘black evil” i.e. Load Shedding.

11.9.4.1 Types Of Electrical Energy.

Designation Energy Type

P Active energy (import / export).
Q Reactive energy (import / export).
S Apparent energy (import / export).

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 P+ Active energy (import).
P- Active energy (export).

Q+ Reactive energy (import).

Q- Reactive energy (export).

Quadrant wise reactive energies

Q1 Reactive energy in power quadrant-I ( P+ Q+)

Q2 Reactive energy in power quadrant-II ( P- Q+)
Q3 Reactive energy in power quadrant-III ( P- Q-)
Q4 Reactive energy in power quadrant-IV ( P+ Q-)

Note:
1. Current values of energy means Current Month Present Values.
2. Billing values of energy means Previous Month Energy Values
called as P.V (Previous Value) and represented by 01 i.e One
month ago, 02: Two months ago.
3. Cumulative Energy means Summation of all previous month
Energy.
4. MDI stands for Maximum Demand Indication during some
predefined time interval i.e. half an hour.

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