Improving power quality across a department store chain in Mexico
A leading department store chain in Mexico needed reliable power quality solutions to address changing electrical loads, harmonic distortion and power factor challenges across six locations. Merus® A2 Active Harmonic Filters and Merus® HPQ Hybrid Power Quality solutions were implemented, providing a combined 1,400 A of current compensation capacity and 300 kVAr of reactive power compensation to improve electrical performance and support reliable store operations.
Challenges at the customer’s department stores
A leading high-end department store chain in Mexico operates multiple retail locations with demanding electrical infrastructure. The stores rely on advanced LED lighting, large HVAC systems, and other electrical equipment to maintain comfortable shopping environments and ensure uninterrupted daily operations. However, the varying electrical loads presented significant power quality challenges.
During periods of higher demand, the power factor typically ranged between 0.95 and 0.99 inductive. During low-load periods, however, some chillers remained partially operational or in standby mode, and the power factor could shift towards a capacitive condition.
This meant that conventional reactive power compensation alone was not sufficient. The solution needed to:
- Compensate inductive reactive power during higher loads
- Control capacitive conditions during low-load periods
- Mitigate odd harmonics in the electrical system
- Correct additional even harmonics identified
- Adapt dynamically to changing operating conditions
Power quality studies showed that these requirements could not be effectively addressed with conventional capacitor banks alone.
Our Merus® solution
Merus Power, together with its local partner PQ Barcon, supplied power quality solutions for six department store locations across Mexico.
The project included a total of 11 power quality units: eight Merus® A2 Active Harmonic Filters and three Merus® HPQ Hybrid Power Quality units, providing a combined current compensation capacity of 1,400 A and reactive power compensation capacity of 300 kVAr. The solutions were selected to address the specific power quality requirements of the electrical installations.
Merus® A2 Active Harmonic Filters provide dynamic harmonic mitigation, helping reduce harmonic distortion caused by non-linear electrical loads. Merus® HPQ Hybrid Power Quality solutions combine reactive power compensation and active harmonic filtering, allowing both inductive and capacitive reactive power conditions to be managed while simultaneously mitigating harmonics.
This was particularly important at installations where reactive power demand varied significantly throughout the day. Conventional capacitor banks alone could have resulted in insufficient compensation during certain operating conditions and overcompensation during others.
The project was supported by specialized power quality engineering and electrical studies carried out by PQ Barcon. These included measurements at more than 40 points, short-circuit studies, power flow analysis, and protection coordination.
By combining detailed electrical analysis with dynamic power quality solutions, the project addressed the customer’s electrical challenges while maintaining compatibility with the existing infrastructure.
Examples of Merus Power’s power quality solutions installed at different department store locations across Mexico:
Quick summary
Segment / Application
Department stores, HVAC systems and LED lighting
Location
Mexico, multiple locations
Customer challenge
- Varying inductive and capacitive reactive power
- Harmonic distortion
- Changing load conditions throughout the day
- High requirements for power quality and operational reliability
Solution delivered
- 8 Merus® A2 Active Harmonic Filter units
- 3 Merus® HPQ Hybrid Power Quality units
- 1,400 A total current compensation capacity
- 300 kVAr reactive power compensation capacity
- Solutions implemented across 6 department stores in Mexico
Results at a glance
- THDi reduced by approximately 58–69% across three phases at one example installation
- Power factor maintained at a target of at least 0.97 in all locations
- Inductive and capacitive conditions controlled
- Dynamic response to changing loads
Why it matters
- Reduced risk of electrical disturbances and downtime
- Less stress on HVAC and sensitive equipment
- Reliable operation under varying loads
- Lower risk of equipment failures and maintenance costs
- Improved power factor compliance and fewer potential penalties
Results after installation
The implementation of Merus Power’s power quality solutions improved electrical performance across the department store locations, addressing harmonic distortion and varying reactive power demands.
The solutions were tailored to the electrical requirements of the different installations, providing active harmonic mitigation and dynamic reactive power compensation where needed. This helped the customer maintain better control of power quality under changing operating conditions, supporting reliable daily operations.
The examples below illustrate the improvements achieved at different department store locations across Mexico. At one installation, detailed before-and-after measurements showed a significant reduction in total harmonic current distortion (THDi) across all three phases.
| Phase | THDi before installation (%) | THDi after installation (%) | THDi reduction (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 19.63 | 8.28 | 57.8 |
| B | 17.36 | 6.43 | 62.9 |
| C | 17.41 | 5.36 | 69.2 |
The HMI screenshots below provide additional examples from other department store locations. They illustrate the changes in currents before and after compensation, demonstrating how the installed power quality solutions respond to the electrical conditions at different sites.
Together, these examples highlight how Merus Power’s solutions address different power quality challenges across the retail chain, helping improve electrical performance and support reliable operation.
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