Reactive Power

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-023203",
  "term": "Reactive Power",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. The portion of electricity that establishes and sustains the electric and magnetic fields of alternating-current equipment. Reactive power must be supplied to most types of magnetic equipment, such as motors and transformers. Reactive power is provided by generators, synchronous condensers, or electrostatic equipment such as capacitors and directly influences electric system voltage. It is a derived value equal to the vector difference between the apparent power and the real power. It is usually expressed as kilovolt-amperes reactive (KVAR) or megavolt-ampere reactive (MVAR).\n\n2. When the voltage and current waveforms for AC power are out of phase the resulting instantaneous power flow is modeled as real power and reactive power. The presence of reactive power increases the instantaneous current flow required to do work. The increase in current flow results in additional line losses. The utility tariff for larger customers may include a charge for reactive power compensation, measured in kilo-volt-amp-reactive.",
  "references": [
    "DOE Energy Information Administration Glossary",
    "DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, Small Wind Guidebook Glossary at https://windexchange.energy.gov/small-wind-guidebook"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/reactive-power/"
}