64 HYDRONEWS THE AMERICAS / 2024

The renaissan
synchronous
Renewables and
power system stability
The transition from fossil fuels to renew- Inverter-coupled generation e ­quipment
able energy sources also entails a also provides no or very little, short
fundamental transformation of the trans- circuit power. High penetration of inverter-
mission and distribution grids. The electric coupled generation equipment t­herefore
power system is shifting from a rotat- leads to lower stability of the electric
ing mass-dominated system to a power power system, manifesting itself in reduced
converter-dominated system. Without
­ frequency stability, voltage stability, rotor
the appropriate measures, this will have a displacement angle stability, resonance
negative impact on power system stability. stability, and inverter-based stability.

Over the past 20 years, the global share of Possible consequences include wide-
renewable energy in new generation plant scale, undamped voltage and power
additions increased from 15% in 2002 to oscillations, degradation of generator
83% in 2022. This growth performance during faults, malfunc-
“Synchronous condensers is primarily driven by
SPECIAL TOPIC ––– SYNCHRONOUS CONDENSERS

tions or failures of protective equip-

are an effective solution photovoltaics and wind ment, Fault Induced Delayed Voltage
power, and both depend Recovery (FIDVR), greater voltage jumps
for the new requirements on the instantaneous after capacitor banks are connected
of the grid.” supply currently avail- or disconnected, increased ­ harmonics,
able (solar irradiation deeper voltage sags, and higher v ­ oltage
and wind). They are therefore referred to transients. Furthermore, due to higher
as Variable Renewable Energy (VRE). frequency gradients, i.e., RoCoF (rate
of change of frequency), increased
As soon as renewable energy sources feed ­frequency instability occurs, which leads
into the grid, they supersede conventional to a deterioration of the system p
­ rotection
thermal power plants due to common reg- fault detection. All of these impacts
ulatory framework conditions. As a result, result in limited power system hosting
the rotating mass in the system decreases capacity for new renewable wind and
as the proportion of wind and solar photovoltaic units.
increases, which are coupled via inverters.
In light of these challenges and new
Grid-connected inverter-coupled gen- regulatory requirements the electricity
­
eration equipment does not provide an grid operators’ main task is maintaining a
instantaneous reserve, so-called inertia, stable energy supply at all times. For this,
which is inherently provided by the rotat- the ­synchronous condenser is a reliable,
ing masses of synchronous generators. proven, and cost-effective solution.
 THE AMERICAS / 2024 HYDRONEWS 65

nce of
condensers

MAIN FUNCTIONS OF non-synchronous machines for generation

SYNCHRONOUS CONDENSERS purposes. Today, approximately 5,000
Synchronous condensers are extremely units are still in service all over the world,
valuable grid-serving systems whose main relying on decades of experience in plant
functions are: and system integration in the renewable
energy business.
• Improved frequency stability
The ANDRITZ Synchronous Condenser
• Improved transient stability portfolio covers a range of standardized
air-cooled systems from 50 to 330 MVAr.
• Improved steady-state voltage support
Independent power producers (IPPs) and
Frequency stability and transient stability project developers for wind and photo-
are necessary whenever faults occur in the voltaic plants are generally operating

SYNCHRONOUS CONDENSERS
synchronous grid. These can be events like smaller rated systems. Strict grid regu-
shedding large loads or the failure of a large lations require them to use a m ­ odern
power plant leading to an abrupt change of synchronous condenser to gain grid
­
frequency, or short circuits on a transmission access. These cylindrical rotor solutions
line leading to an abrupt change of voltage. are very cost-efficient and offer the short-
est delivery times due to a high degree of
Instantaneous reserve and short-circuit standardization.
power are essential system services when
there is a high penetration of wind and The higher rated systems with salient
photostatic generation. Previously com- pole design are intended for transmission
mon compensation devices such as SVCs grids where high inertia, low losses, and
and STATCOMs cannot supply both. They dynamic behavior are crucial. With its high
do little, or nothing to improve either robustness, the salient pole design is best
­frequency stability or transient stability. suited for transmission grid applications.
SPECIAL TOPIC

As a consequence, synchronous conden- Engineering excellence from ANDRITZ is

sers are continuously gaining importance focused on the entire power train, from
in managing grid stability in the face of the the synchronous condenser unit with its
accelerating energy transition. mechanical and electrical auxiliaries
right up to the defined Point of Common AUTHOR
For more than 120 years ANDRITZ has Coupling (PCC) with the high voltage
­
Robert Neumann
supplied numerous synchronous and transmission system. [email protected]