Journal International Association on Electricity Generation, Transmission and Distribution
Year : 2023, Volume : 36, Issue : 1
First page : ( 24) Last page : ( 31)
Print ISSN : 2250-012X. Online ISSN : 2229-4449.

Case study for synchronous condenser implemenation - A novel solution for grid stability and short circuit power in era of renewables

Jha Ravish Chandra¹, Mehta Suneet¹, Senghani Harshvardhan¹

¹NTPC Ltd., Noida

Online published on 16 May, 2023.

Abstract

In order to achieve Green House Emission targets and to reduce dependency on fossil fuelbased generation, most of the countries around the world are planning to increase the generation from renewable sources. Government of India (GoI) has set a target of achieving 175 GW of renewable generation by 2022 and 500 GW by 2030. The increasing penetration of renewable energy poses many challenges to the stability and reliability of the power system. The paper brings out the challenging aspects of requirement of short circuit power, inertia and dynamic reactive power in the changing grid scenario and available technologies to deal with these challenges. Simulation studies carried out for understanding the effect of renewable integration on short circuit power, inertia-and reactive power are included in the paper. Further, case study of a location with huge planned renewable integration and few conventional generators in near vicinity is also discussed. The generation mix in the case study represents the possible situation of Indian grid in near future. Short Circuit Ratio (SCR) at various nodes/point of interconnection after integration of renewable energy generators is studied. The response of different-technologies available (SVC, STATCOM and synchronous condensers) during the transient conditions have-been presented. Synchronous condensers are the most optimized and strongest technical solution to deal with problems of low inertia, short circuit power and requirement of reactive power reserves. The synchronous condensers can be installed at strategic locations along a transmission network such as near renewable generating stations, HVDC link etc. The location and specifications of synchronous condensers shall be finalized based on the system-studies which will provide details about the type of ancillary services required at a particular location. Synchronous Condenser based augmentation of power networks with installation at strategic locations can make the system performance at par with conventional power generation technologies, where active power is being generated from wind farms or solar parks and other requirements like ‘system inertia, short circuit withstand-capability, dynamic voltage support, and synchronizing and damping torque’ are met by the synchronous condenser.

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Keywords

Synchronous condenser, Synchronous inertia, Renewable integration, Short circuit power, Simulation-studies.

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