Profitability of filtering harmonics by passive filters for tertiary buildings: Application to a university of higher education

Harmonic filtering is becoming necessary given the growth of harmonic pollution in distribution networks. Passive filters are widely used and offer several advantages. This article studies the profitability of harmonic filtering by passive filters for the case of tertiary buildings. We studied a real case of a higher education building. The installation of a network analyzer for seven continuous days at the level of the main circuit breaker showed the existence of significant harmonic pollution. We studied the possibility of filtering these harmonics by passive filters while basing ourselves on data measured by the analyzer, analysis of electricity bills and the ETAP software. The results of this study revealed energy savings and reductions in kVA power demands. These power reductions make it possible to reduce the power subscribed, which makes it possible to generate a second significant indirect financial gain. The calculated total gain was 1265$ and the investment 3160$ giving a payback period of 2.5 years.