Voltage Control through Synchronous Condensers

R. Sharma and R.K. Varma, Senior Member, IEEE

Abstract This paper is written to study three projects using synchronous condensers to control system voltage, which are Granite Substation, MTA (Tennesse Valley Authority) grid and Basslink HVDC. These projects are using only synchronous condensers not any other FACTS devices because synchronous condenser provides additional features with dynamic reactive power. This paper has also discussed structure, working and performance of two new synchronous condensers. One is developed by GE, which is also called next generation synchronous condenser and other is developed by American Superconductor that is called SuperVAR. Both these synchronous condensers are good to provide dynamic reactive power and have their own special features.
Index Termscondenser, Reactive Power Control, capacitor, dynamic synchronous condensers, FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission System), Inertia, reactive power, Super VAR, SVC ( Static Var Compensator ) , Low voltage ride through (LVRT).

230 KV line from New Hampshire via the Granite station on the east side of the state.With a forecasted summer peak load of 1200 MW, the Highgate HVDC back-to-back terminal out of service, and with the subsequent loss of the 345 KV line between Coolidge and Vermont Yankee, the flow on the 230 KV line connecting Granite 230 KV to Comerford 230KV could reach 300 MW. To maintain an acceptable voltage at Granite, approximately 180 MVArs is required with a portion being dynamic compensation. Otherwise, voltage will collapse. III. DYNAMIC COMPENSATION EQUIPMENT Several dynamic compensators are static var compensator (SVC), a STATCOM and synchronous condensers. IV. SELECTION CRITERIA A wide range of factors were considered: equipment cost, cost of losses, system harmonics, steady state overload, short time overcurrent, low voltage ride-through capability and interaction with other static devices with fast acting controls on the VELCO system. From SVC static var compensator (SVC), STATCOM, shunt capacitor bank and synchronous condenser, Synchronous condenser is selected because of the following advantages: a) Synchronous condensers are harmonic free equipment. b) Condensers are readily stimulated in load flow and stability studies. c) Condensers are active devices and can stabilize the local power system by contributing short circuit current. d) Synchronous condensers have internal voltage and mechanical inertia that allows the synchronous condenser to increase MVAr output during voltage dip because of local fault. e) Output of the condenser will never drop abruptly like other static equipment during local fault. f) Have inherent overload capacity. Upgrading of the Granite station includes four (4) +25/12.5 MVAr synchronous condensers and four (4) 25 MVAr 115 KV shunt capacitors. Two condensers are connected to each tertiary winding of two autotransformers. Tertiary winding of autotransformer is rated 100 MVA to accommodate 4 condensers, if needed.

CASE STUDY 1 I. INTRODUCTION

ERMONT Electric Power Company (VELCO) upgraded their transmission project to meet the increasing demand of electricity. These upgrade projects will do the following: 1) improve the reliability of the electric system, 2) preserve Vermonts future energy options, and 3) contribute to economics stability of the state. II. ONE OF THE UPGRADED PROJECTS AND PROBLEM Northern Vermont Reliability Project (NRP), includes construction of 36 miles of 345 KV transmission lines between existing line with new 115 KV transmission line, and the upgrade of 13 stations between Williamstown and Barre. The Granite 230 KV /115 KV station is located in Williamstown, VT. Second problem is that 50% of the summer peak load is met by in-state generation and in northern Vermont, about 90% of the peak load is supplied with imported power through the Highgate HVDC terminal on the north, the Sandy Bar phase angle regulator to the west of Burlington, and the

48 MVAr, which is slightly above the nameplate of synchronous condensers

Fig. 3. Approximate Q-V profile at Granite 115 kV with 1.15 service factor and the PSTs at maximum phase shift [1].

B. Dynamic Performance Dynamic performance shows how synchronous condenser reacts when there is a fault in the transmission line.

Fig. 1 One line diagram of Granite Substation pixel (grayscale)[1].

V. GRANITE RPD SYSTEM PERFORMANCE A. Steady State Rating Each Granite synchronous condenser ranting is +25/12.5 MVAr continuous at 13.8 KV. Total supply is 100 MVAr (-Q) and absorb up to 50 (+Q), when four condensers are used. Nominal Operating range of the granite condenser unit is 150 MVAr. Condensers are connected to tertiary winding of the transformer because of this MVAR deviates slightly from the nameplate.
Fig 4. PSLF simulation of fault clearing on critical 345 kV line[1].

Above figure (4) shows that initially voltage of condenser (blue) and 115 KV transmission line (red) were at 1.02 p.u. , but after the fault at 1 sec voltages drop up to .8 for .25 sec and after that voltages recover back to 1.01 p.u. within 1 sec. This is the performance of synchronous condenser which helps the system to attain its normal voltage after few cycles of fault. VI. SYNCHRONOUS CONDENSERS One of the unique characteristics of Granite synchronous condenser is overloading capability on both steady state and transient state. Synchronous condenser which is used in granite substation was made by GE. A. Features of synchronous condenser In low-ambient temperature, the cooling capability of the TEWAC (totally enclosed water-air cooling system with 50%/50% ethylene glycol) increases with increase in +MVAr above the rating as shown in table below.

Fig. 2 Granite Condenser Q-V profile (1 p.u. service factor, graph not to scale)[1].

Above graph (2) shows the working range of synchronous condenser by Q-V graph from .90 to 1.1 p.u. Upper graph (2) shows the overexcited operation and range of supplying MVAR and lower graph (3) shows the absorption of MVAr. Granite condensers have 1.15 service factor, which means current is 1.15 p.u. of rated current at 1.0 p.u. terminal voltage in the overexcited operation. At 1 p.u. voltage at granite 115 KV, the four condensers can deliver up to +106/-

Fig. 5 Low-Ambient temperature condenser rating [1].

VII. DISADVANTAGE In elevated steady state, overloading capability increases for short duration as shown in below table and in which under excited capability will never change. A. Static Var Compensator (SVC) 1) Produce harmonics. 2) Control interaction in between multiple electronic device creates problem. 3) Does not posses any short term over current capability. 4) Output MVAr is dependent on nominal voltage. 5) Output power is equal to square of the voltage terminal. B. STATCOM 1) High cost. 2) High audible noises. 3) Are designed to shut off in case to large voltage sag. C. Disadvantages of Synchronous condensers 1) Maintenance of synchronous condenser because of moving parts. 2) Slower response time than SVC and STATCOM. 3) Higher level of losses. CASE STUDY 2

Fig. 6 Condenser short-time overload capability [1].

B. Excitation System Next- generation condenser excitation system has:1) An alternator and rotating Diode bridge protected by metal-oxide varistor- gated crowbar SCRs. 2) GE EX-2100 digital voltage regulator. 3) Digital relays for protection. Excitation system for the Granite synchronous condensers are designed for nominal 300 % excitation for 3 seconds. C. Cooling GE synchronous condensers utilize TEWAC (totally enclosed water-air cooling) system. A radiator located above the stator winding within the condensers enclosure cools warm air from stator. A solution of water/glycol circulates in the radiator that is cooled outside the condenser building in three air cooled heat exchanger per condenser. D. Switchgear Per Fig. 1, a tiebreaker between the two autotransformer will maximize the operating flexibility of the Granite RPD together with twelve 15 kV class metal enclosed vacuum circuit breaker. Any number of synchronous can be connected to auto transformer. Installation of circuit breaker near salient-pole synchronous condensers contributes to higher short circuit currents and transient recovery voltages (TRV) especially when the condensers are overexcited [1]. Both short circuit current and TVA requirements led to the selection of granite circuit breaker. E. Surge Protection Surge protection is needed to protect from high TRV frequencies. Granite substation MVA rating is several multiple of condenser MVA rating thus minimizing the transformer leakage and contributing to high TRV frequencies. Every synchronous condenser in granite substation is protected with surge arrestors and surge capacitor. F. Lubricant In normal operation, oil is circulated in bearings via a pump with a back-up unit.

I. INTRODUCTION OF SUPERVAR High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) SuperVAR dynamic synchronous condenser (DSC) was developed by American Superconductor. This synchronous condenser has small foot print, easily transportable and is economic option for providing peak and dynamic reactive compensation to a power system. Transmission line voltage collapse when local sources are not able to meet the reactive power demands. Voltage of the transmission line drops and line current increase, which further drops the voltage of transmission line more. For these situations, static VAR devices are used because their output varies in proportion to V or V2 thus making less efficient. DSC output is independent of system voltage and can be increased up to 4 times in a second by changing its excitation on the field winding.

Fig. 7 +/- 8 MVAR SuperVAR machine with key characteristics highlighted[3].

II. SUPER VAR DYNAMIC CONDENSER FEATURES a) Field current of a conventional machine must be increased by 3X between no- load and full- load, where as High temperature superconductor (HTS) wire in the rotor field winding requires only a small change in field current between no-load and full load and it always operate at a constant temperature. HTS DSC is estimated to be 98.8% efficient, typically 1 % more efficient than copper based units and it maintains this efficiency down to partial load of 25 %. New DSC is expected to be very economic option for providing peak and dynamic reactive compensation to a power system. DSC is highly reliable because in case of fault, it can provide twice as nominal rating for about one minute (peak rating) without change in temperature of winding. DSC can also handle transients.

b)

Fig. 9 V-curves for conventional and SuperVAR machines Above fig represents that 3 times more excitation current is needed by conventional synchronous condenser for the same performance as by HTS DSC[3].

c)

III. FACTORY TEST RESULTS DSC machine was factory tested according to IEEE 115 standard and results are listed below: a) Measure 98.8% efficiency. b) Temperature rise curve shows that at rated load, temperature of DSC is always less than allowed limit (105 oC at a 25 oC ambient).

d)

e)

DSC support system consisting of the following subsystem:a) HTS Rotor b) Stator lubrication and cooling systems c) Refrigeration d) Exciter, Control and Communication system e) Start-up motor and controller. A. Cooling Cryocooler is a device used to reach cryogrnic temperatures by cycling certain gases. Liquefied gases are liquid nitrogen and liquid helium. In DSC helium gas is used.
Fig. 10 DSC heat run temperature rise of various stator components[3].

c) Open short circuit and short circuit results show that machine exhibit any saturation effect over the operating range (1.3 p.u. ).

Fig. 8 DSC support system [3].

B. Characteristic of HTS DSC VS Synchronous Condensers. Figure (9) is comparing performance of SuperVAR with conventional synchronous condensers. SupeVAR is taking less excitation current form zero load to full load performance where as conventional synchronous condenser is taking three times excitation current to perform the same.

Fig. 11 Open-circuit and short- circuit measurements on the DSC[3].

IV. SIMULATION POWER RESULTS

The machine was absorbing high negative and zero sequence current and producing heat, which was sunk by damper winding in the form of copper shell. VII. FIND FARM APPLICATION (SIMULATION FOR 78 MW MIDWESTERN U.S.) Simulation was performed to study the performance of synchronous condenser on wind farm. Wind farm had inadequate voltage regulation and low voltage ride though capabilities (LVRT), which resulted in tripping of circuit breaker before implementing HTS synchronous condenser. Approximately, 40 MVAR of additional capacitive equipment was needed to meet the voltage regulation and power factor requirement. To improve low voltage ride though (LVRT) capability of virtual farm, two 12 MVA HTS dynamic synchronous condensers were used. These condensers were connected to 34.5 kV bus via step up transformer of 13.8 kV.

Fig. 12 A simulation of a utility system power quality problem concerned with a DSC[3].

Whenever a large motor starts it causes optional voltage drops which is cover up by installing 8 MVAR Super VAR DSC which increases local MVAR capability to mitigate large motor starting voltage sags and other transient voltage problems.

V. RESULTS

Fig. 15 Wind farm with two HTS Dynamic synchronous condensers units installed to improve LVRT [4].

With the installation of HTS synchronous condenser, LVRT capability of solution was significantly improved.
Fig . 13 A Simulation of power quality problem fixed by DSC shows voltage variation with and without DSC and MVARS contributed by DSC[3].

Above figure (13) show the working of HTS DSC working in grid. VI. ARC FURNACE TESTED HTS SDC helped in reducing flicker caused by arc furnace. MVARs supplied by the machine during a typical melt cycle is shown in below figure

Fig. 16 Wind Farm Bus Voltage and MW Output with and without superVAR [4]. Fig. 14 MVARS supplied by HTS synchronous condenser during an Arc Furnace Burn cycle[4].

Above figure (16), shows the working and performance characteristics of HST condensers. First figure shows the bus voltage with and without condensers. During LVRT (without

HST synchronous condensers) voltages dropped to tripping condition, where as with synchronous condenser voltage did not drop to tripping condition. Second figure (16) shows output of wind farm, at the condition of LVRT, voltage dropped and tripped the farm and output dropped to zero, but with synchronous condenser this output power not dropped to zero. CASE STUDY 3

I. INTRODUCTION The Basslink HVDC interconnection is a connection between the island of Tasmania and the mainland of Australia for electricity exchange. Basslink is a 290 km undersea HVDC link, which export 630 MW and import 480 MW. This HVDC link is monopolar with rated DC voltage of 400 KV, rated DC current of 1250 A and rated continuous power of 500 MW. Dynamic power transfer capacity is 626 MW from Tasmania to Australia. Tasmania is expected to export 630 MW energy to Victoria, generated through Tasmania hydro generation and 140 MW of wind generation. It also imports 480 MW of energy from Victoria to Tasmania. To provide reactive power demand of the DC converter for 630 MW, a total of 313 MVAr shunt capacitance is required. The available compensation was subdivided into five filter sub-banks of 43 MVAr and one additional 98 MVAr to comply both with the limitation on AC voltage change due to filter switching and specified flicker limits. All five filters are tuned to remove harmonics ( 3,5,7,11,13,23,etc), but 98 MVAr is specially tuned to attenuate the effect of 5 th harmonics. Triple tuned harmonic filters were foreseen at George Town converter station to meet the specified harmonic performance requirements.
Fig. 18 Key physical components of Bsslink[7].

A. Power Transmission Capacity Basslink HVDC has continuous rating of 500 MW (+/400kV , 1250 A) defined at DC rectifier side with nominal range and maximum ambient temperature. The rated transmission power will be met without any redundant cooling system until maximum ambient temperature 30 oC at George Town and 40 oC Loy Yang. B. Performance Requirement of HVDC link Design of HVDC link was designed to have low loss for technical and economical optimization, to achieve this converter at both stations should have total loss less than 1.4 percent at 500 MW power transfer. At rated transmission capacity the main source of losses is DC cables and DC overhead lines with approximately 2.7 percent and 1.0 percent respectively. II. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION Inter link was suffering from two problems. a) Rotating Inertia b) Short circuit strength

A. Rotating Inertia Thermal power sources provide inertia to the power system, whereas renewable sources are not. Wind turbines can provide inertia to the system, if they are used properly. System inertia in Tasmania can be low enough, especially at the time of import during low demand. System also faces shortage of fast acting frequency control ancillary services (FCAS) because of slow response of hydro generators to frequency. Transend studies indicate that rate of change of frequency approaches 3 Hz that can lead to HVDC link trip because of import of energy during low system inertia[6]. As more renewable sources like wind farm attached to the system, FCAS demands will increase. As situation is tight, Tasmania is used Basslink to transfer FCAS from mainland, which reduces power transfer capability of HVDC link. Transend also identified potential future voltage stability issues because of future load increase. In this case SVC and STATCOM are not good because they only provide only voltage stability not

Fig. 17 Representation of HVDC connection of Tasmania to mainland Australian and interconnection into eastern seaboard national electricity market [6].

Although 500 kV AC system at Loy Yang is very strong in comparison with George town, then still reactive power is needed to be provided. HVDC link is capable of operating at .95 lagging power factor. Two types of triple-tuned filters, each of 105 MVAr rating are used to provide filtering of harmonics.

any support to inertia. Solution to this problem is Modern synchronous condenser, which can provide dynamic MVAr as well as inertia. B. Short Circuit Strength For a three phase fault at local transmission bus, the first approximation of the symmetrical short circuit current, ignoring resistance, is determined by dividing the voltage behind sub transient reactance by the sum of sub transient reactance and transformer leakage impedance.

and internal voltage allows the condenser to readily increase MVARs and during fault, output of synchronous condenser never drops abruptly. After considering all factors and dynamic performance, then next generation GE synchronous condensers is installed at Granite Substation. Total four condensers are installed in Granite Substation to support 180 MVAr requirements for normal transmission operation. Results shows that in case of fault, synchronous condensers are working and uplifting the dropped voltage within few cycles. B. Case Study 2 American Superconductor developed a new synchronous condenser, which is also called SuperVAR or High Temperature Superconductor DSC (Dynamic Synchronous Condenser). This condenser is unique because of its some features. DSC output voltages can be increased up to 4 times in a second by changing field excitation with a faster exciter. In case of other FACTS devices except synchronous condensers, output voltage controlled by that device is dependent on system voltages. When fault occurs, FACTS devices performance also gets affected. This synchronous condenser is installed at TVA ( Tennesse Valley Authority) grid, which was suffering for harmonics generated by arc furnace situated near grid. After installation of SuperVAR there is no disturbance in grid because of harmonics and low voltage. All the generated harmonics are suppressed by SuperVAR. HTS Dynamic synchronous condenser is also installed in 78 MW Midwestern (U.S.) because system was suffering from LVRT (low voltage ride through) and in this case system voltage was dripping so low that it was causing whole system to be shutdown. After installing SuperVAR, system voltage is recovering before it will lead to shutdown. Synchronous condenser has small foot print, are readily transportable and economic option for providing peak and dynamic reactive power. C. Case Study 3 In basslink HVDC, synchronous condenser is installed for voltage control as well as for two special purposes. First, for providing inertia and second, to control short circuit level. Basslink HVDC is constructed between island of Tasmania and the mainland of Australia for electricity exchange. This is a second largest underwater cable i.e. 290 KM. During transfer of electricity from Mainland to Tasmania at low load, system inertia is low. Renewable resources have less inertia. Synchronous condenser is only device that can provide control over inertia, short circuit level, overloading capability and dynamic voltage control together. Four synchronous condensers are installed for proper working of the HVDC system and improving power transfer capability. D. Overall from all three case studies It is concluded that after having all other fast dynamic FACTS devices, still synchronous condensers are used in

Fig. 19 One line diagram of synchronous condenser short circuit[6].

In case, when synchronous is floating i.e. not changing MVAr with system at that time E is 1 p.u. During overexcited operation E is greater than 1 and MVAr is supplied by synchronous condensers. A higher short circuit is also expected. One of the ways to improve synchronous condenser performance is by decreasing the impendence of both the synchronous condenser and leakage transformer. Initially, Minimum fault level was 1200 MVA, which was not met after the installation of wind farm. After installing four 25 MVAr GE synchronous condensers, minimum fault level was 1440 MVA.

III. FACTS DEVICES a) SVC b) STATCOM c) Synchronous condenser SVC and STATCOM cannot be used in Basslink HVDC because utility is facing problem with inertia and short circuit level, which SVC and STATCOM does not control. To solve this problem with dynamic reactive power control, synchronous condensers are the best options. IV. COCLUSION A. Case Study 1 In granite substation many factors are considered before placing synchronous condensers instead of other FACTS Compensators. Some of the factors are harmonics, costs, steady state overload, short time overcurrent, low voltage ride through, interaction with other static devices, etc. Synchronous condenser is selected because it is harmonic free device, readily simulated in load flow studies, internal inertia

utilities. Synchronous condensers have some special feature for which it is used. Installation of synchronous condenser is economical and can provide dynamic reactive power. It can provide control over inertia, short circuit level and provide overloading capability without harmonics, which any other FACTS device cannot provide. REFERENCES [1] J. Skliutas , LaForest, R.DAquila, D.Derr and E. Kronbeck,Next-Generation Synchronous Condenser Installation at the VELCO Granite Substation. [2] Paul E. Marken, M. Henderson, LaForest, J. Skliutas, J. Roedel and Todd Campbell, Selection of synchronous condenser technology for the Granite Substation. [3] S.S. Kalsi, D. Madura and Mike Ingram, Superconductor Synchronous Condenser for Reactive Power support in an Electric Grid, IEEE Trans. On Applied Superconductivity, Vol. 15, No. 2, June 2005. [4] S. Kalsi, D. Madura and Mike Ross, Performance of Superconductor Dynamic Synchronous Condenser on an Electric Grid, IEEE/PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exhibition: Asia and Pacific Dalian, China. [5] S.S. Kalsi, D. Madura, G. Snitchler, M.Ross, J. Voccio and M. Ingram, Discussion of Test Results of a Superconductor Synchronous Condenser on a Utility Grid, IEE Trans. On Applied Superconductivity, VOL. 17, NO. 2., June 2007. [6] Paul E.Marken, Arthur C. Depoian, John Skliutas and Michael Verrier, Modern Synchronous Condenser Performance Considerations, 978-1-4577-10025/11/IEEE. [7] Th. Westerweller and J.J. Price, Basslink HVDC Interconnector- System Design Considerations, IEEE.