Centralised architecture has been used across the world’s power grids throughout most of their 100-year-plus history. Based around large fossil fuel power stations in urban centres, it provides a linear path for the electricity to flow over transmission and distribution networks to consumers. This has delivered exceptional stability and security of supply. 

However, there is a new imperative to decarbonise power production and integrate large levels of renewable energy – and this is forcing networks to evolve. Our grids will soon look very different.

In addition to grids becoming decentralised, their large fossil fuel plants are now being replaced by renewable energy, usually intermittent wind and solar power. This has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the amount of spinning inertia in the grid, otherwise known as kinetic reserve. Inertia is vital to resist sudden changes, such as when a generator trips offline, so that the grid frequency remains within tightly controlled limits. 

It is rather like a car’s shock absorbers smoothing out a sudden bump in the road to keep it safely on course. Power grids rely on their inertia to keep them in balance.

Utilities, power generation companies and owners of private networks are seeking ways to restore this reserve of inertia. One potential solution is the well-proven technology of synchronous condensers (SCs). These large rotating devices restore physical inertia to deliver instantaneous support for grids, enabling them to maintain stability irrespective of the upstream network voltage or frequency. 

Synchronous condensers explained

Synchronous condensers are large rotating electric machines. They are not motors; they do not drive anything. Nor are they generators, since they have no prime movers. Historically, they were used to produce reactive power, balancing out highly inductive loads, such as electric motors. 

While SCs were once ubiquitous in power grids, over the past 50 years or so their reactive power role was replaced by power electronics equipment. But now the changing nature of grids, and concerns over the loss of inertia, have stimulated new interest in SCs. This is because they can mimic the operation of large generating plant by providing an alternative source of spinning inertia. As large rotating machines, SCs can both supply and absorb reactive power, delivering voltage support and dynamic regulation. 

A major advantage of SCs is that they are a very cost-effective and reliable way to maintain power quality. They provide the fault current protection essential for the strengthening of a weak grid. This is a key enabler for introducing more renewables on the grid.

Typically, SCs are supplied in ratings up to 80 MVAr (megavolt amperes of reactive power) and 3–15 kV system voltage. Higher outputs are reached by using several modules together. This offers better redundancy and availability compared to one large unit.

SCs are tailored for specific locations, according to network studies. This enables the creation of pre-designed SC packages that are easy to transport, install, commission and integrate. They are based on small- or medium-sized modules that can be strategically sited for optimal results. This provides a decentralised solution to increase grid strength and stability.

SCs will be crucial for future grids

The world’s power grids are adapting to an increasing penetration of distributed renewables, while large, centralised fossil fuel power plants are being decommissioned. This is creating a perfect storm that is forcing profound change in the structure of electricity networks.

The networks of the future will require decentralised solutions to maintain grid stability and resilience. SCs are a well-proven solution that can be deployed to strengthen weak networks in remote areas. They offer a number of advantages such as inertia support for frequency stability, fault level contribution and voltage regulation. These are all functions that can be demanding to provide using power electronic systems on their own.

In addition to grids becoming decentralised, their large fossil fuel plants are now being replaced by renewable energy, usually intermittent wind and solar power, which has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the amount of spinning inertia in the grid.

It is anticipated that the need for SCs will continue to grow as grid operators seek new approaches to address network quality issues and ensure reliability and continuity of supply. Over the next decade we could see several hundreds of SCs deployed, either on their own or in combination with static power electronic devices.

The scope for SCs is shown by the fact that the two units in Liverpool will provide a total of more than 900 MWs (megawatt seconds) of inertia. That compares with the UK’s current total of around 220 GWs (gigawatt seconds). Therefore, the Lister Drive project will provide about 0.5% of the UK’s total inertia. While that is initially a relatively small contribution, the traditional source of inertia will continue to diminish. SCs will be required to fill the gap.

The same pattern is likely to be repeated globally. SCs are already playing a vital role in reinforcing networks in Australia, Canada and Scotland, supporting a wide variety of applications from solar power farms to remote mining operations. As the urgency to decarbonise grows, the expectation is that synchronous condensers will continue to put a new spin on maintaining grid stability.