THE VARIABLE LOAD PROBLEM

Variable load Problem Load changes from time to time.

Types of load
a.) Ideal load From standpoint of equipment needed and operating routine, would be
one of constant magnitude and steady duration.
100 kW

75 kW

50 kW

25 kW

12 MN 12 MN

b.) Realized load :

100 kW

75 kW

50 kW

25 kW

NOON
12 MN 12 MN

 Load Curve refers to the graph used to represent the relationship between the demanded load
and time sequence.

Monthly load curve is the average of the daily load curves over a one-month period that is used
in establishing rates.

Annual load curve is the average of the daily load curves over a period of one year tha is used in
determining the annual load factor. ( 8760 hrs/yr )

 Terms as applied to base-load and peak-load power plants

 Base load power plants include steam, hydroelectric power and geothermal power plants.
 Peak load power plants include diesel-electric and gas turbine power plants.
 Reserve over peak or reserve capacity over and above the peak load is the plant capacity less
the peak load.
 Average load is the ratio of the kilowatt-hours of energy to the peak load.
Area in kW-hrs
A.L. = 24 hrs
 Load factor is the ratio of the average load to the maximum load in a given period.
Average load
L.F. = Peak load
Peak load – is the maximum load
a. instantaneous peak load
b. 30 min peak load
c. 1 hr peak load
 Power factor is the ratio of the actual power to the apparent power.
 Demand factor is the ratio of the actual maximum demand to the connected load.
 Connected load – the sum of the continuous ratings of all the equipment and outlets
on the customer’s circuits.
 Diversity factor is the ratio of the sum of the individual maximum demands to the maximum
simultaneous demand; the value to be obtained is always greater than one.
 Plant capacity factor the actual energy production divided by the maximum possible energy
that might have been produced during the period.
Annual energy production
Pant annual capacity factor = Maximum energy that can be produced

Area bounded by the curve

= kW Cap. x 8760 hrs.
 Plant use factor is the ratio of the actual energy production to the maximum possible energy
that might have been produced in the same period.
Annual energy produced
Plant annual use factor = Energy produced when plant is in operation

Area bounded by the curve

= kW Cap. x no. of hrs. plant in operation

 Plant factor is the ratio of the average load to the equipment rating supplying the load.
 Utilization factor is the ratio of the maximum system demand to the rated system capacity.
 Operation factor is the ratio of duration of actual service to the total expected load.

 Elements of an Electric Power System

The manner in which the energy output of an electric power system or power plant is subdivided
and sent thousands of individual customers is as follows:
1. Power plant or central station
2. Substations
3. Feeders
4. Distribution transformers
5. Customers: domestic, industrial, and residential.
 SAMPLE PROBLEMS

1. A central station is supplying energy to a community through two substations. One substation
feeds four distributing circuits; the other, six. The maximum daily recorded demands are:

Power station 120000 kW

Substation A 6000 kW Substation B 9000 kW

Feeder 1 1700 kW Feeder 1 620 kW

Feeder 2 1800 kW Feeder 2 1500 kW
Feeder 3 2800 kW Feeder 3 1000 kW
Feeder 4 600 kW Feeder 4 2900 kW
Feeder 5 2200 kW
Feeder 6 3000 kW
Calculate the diversity factor between (a) substations, (b) feeders on Substation A, (c) feeders
on Substation B.

2. An electric feeder line serves four distribution transformers which have the following
connected loads.

No.1 No.2 No.3 No.4

Residence 10 kW Residence 20 kW Commercial 15 kW Power 32 kW
Residence 20 kW Residence 25 kW Commercial 5 kW Residence 24 kW
Residence 25 kW Residence 28 kW Power 4 kW Residence 35 kW
Commercial 35 kW Commercial 15 kW Residence 18 kW
Commercial 25 kW
Using tabulated factors, find the peak load on the feeder.

3. A central station has annual factors as follows:

Load 58.5%
Capacity 40.9%
Use 45.2%
The reserve carried over and above peak load is 8900 kW. Find (a) installed capacity, (b)
annual production, (c) hr per year not in service.