Organization Overview
Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, home to NORAD operations, is one of the most secure and mission-critical facilities in the United States.
The installation focused on a 160 HP air compressor (CO1) supporting base operations, where power quality, reliability, and efficiency are non-negotiable.
The Challenge
Prior to MPTS installation, the compressor exhibited:
- Poor load-side power factor (~0.30)
- Excessive current draw
- High reactive power (kVAr)
- Unnecessary electrical stress on upstream infrastructure
In a hardened military environment, improving efficiency without introducing risk was essential.
The Solution
An MPTS-450/3/60 unit was installed directly on the air compressor circuit, with comprehensive monitoring conducted using a calibrated power analyzer.
Performance was measured under three conditions:
- Compressor OFF / MPTS OFF
- Compressor ON / MPTS OFF
- Compressor ON / MPTS ON
The Results
Power Quality Improvements
- Power factor improved from ~0.30 to ~0.998
- Line current reduced from ~196 A to ~134 A under load
- kVA demand reduced from 104 to 31
- Reactive power reduced from 95 kVAr to 13 kVAr
Carbon & Efficiency Impact
- 70% reduction in CO₂ emissions
- 68,255 lbs of CO₂ eliminated annually
- Significant reduction in electrical stress and heat losses
All results were measured, logged, and verified using independent instrumentation
Why This Matters
This project proves that MPTS is not only suitable for commercial buildings — it performs in the most demanding defense environments.
When power quality improves, everything downstream benefits: reliability, efficiency, and mission readiness.
Ideal Applications
- Military bases
- Secure facilities
- Industrial compressed air systems
- Mission-critical infrastructure
