Do you know what reactive energy is?
What is reactive power?
The energy that travels through the electrical network is actually composed of two types:
- Active energy. This is what we consume and is used to operate our appliances. It is measured in kWh, charged to us every month, and necessary for our daily lives.
- Reactive energy. This energy is produced by certain electrical devices that generate electromagnetic fields. They are usually devices that use coils, transformers or motors and this kind of energy is measured in kVArh (kilovolt-reactive ampere per hour).
The sum of these two energies is called apparent energy.
The problem with reactive energy is that it has no practical use, but as it is generated and returned to the grid, it is occupying the grid and could destabilize it. That is why it needs to be managed so that everything runs smoothly. These transport costs by the network and treatment of this reactive energy may appear in our electricity bill.
However, it is difficult to happen if we talk about our home, as we will see below.
Which appliances generate reactive energy?
It is normal that you are worried about having many devices that generate this reactive energy. The truth is that most of those that produce it with a high volume are industrial appliances, which have those motors or coils that we talked about before.
However, an elevator, a refrigerator or even a fluorescent light tube also produce reactive energy that they return to the grid “occupying” space.
Within reactive power, there are also two main types:
- Inductive, which is the one associated with the creation of magnetic fields and the main type when talking about reactive power.
- Capacitive, which comes from electric fields.
This energy is not useful. It cannot be used to generate heat or work, but it occupies the network, and it is necessary to manage it so that it does not affect its overall operation.