Method and system for providing power factor correction in a power distribution system

A system for providing power factor correction to a power distribution system that includes a plurality of power lines, the system comprising:

• a remote computer system;
• a plurality of correction assemblies, each comprising:
• a first capacitance configured to be connected to one of the plurality of power lines;
• a first switch configured to connect said first capacitance to the one power line and disconnect said first capacitance from the one power line;
• a first voltage sensor device configured to measure the voltage of the one power line;
• a first current sensor device configured to measure the current carried by the one power line;
• a communication module;
• and
• a first controller in communication with said first switch and said communication module and configured to receive current data from said first current sensor device and receive voltage data from said first voltage sensor device;
• wherein said first controller is configured to determine a power factor based on said current data and said voltage data;
• wherein said first controller is configured to cause said communication module to transmit the power factor to the remote computer system;
• wherein said remote computer system is configured to process received power factor data from a plurality of the correction assemblies;
• wherein said remote computer system is configured to transmit one or more control messages to one or more correction assemblies in response to processing data from one or more correction assemblies;
• wherein said first controller of each correction assembly is configured to respond to one or more control messages received from said remote computer system to operate said first switch to connect or disconnect said first capacitance, substantially at a zero crossing of the voltage of the one power line.