The Power Quality, Reinvented.
Synchronous Condenser
What is a Synchronous Condenser
The shift to Renewable Energies and the global push for decarbonisation have introduced new challenges for electricity grids.
With the increased deployment of wind and solar power, which relies on power electronics rather than rotating generators, many electricity grids are experiencing reduced inertia, voltage fluctuations and reduced power availability, resulting in widespread blackouts and operational failures.
In microgrids and isolated grids, these instabilities can cause equipment damage, system shutdowns and inefficient power distribution.
The SYNCMASTER® is a modular synchronous compensator incorporating a rotating electrical machine. It is specifically designed to meet these challenges by providing dynamic support for voltage, grid inertia and fault current capability.
By continuously adjusting its reactive power output, the SYNCMASTER® stabilises voltage fluctuations, ensuring grid resilience even in electrical ecosystems with a large amount of Renewable Energy.
Why use it
The transformation of electricity ecosystems, driven by the increasing adoption of Renewable Energies and the gradual abandonment of traditional thermal power plants or generators, has introduced new technical challenges:
REDUCING SYSTEM INERTIA
Inverter-based power generation does not have the rotating mass of conventional generators, making it more difficult to maintain frequency stability.
VOLTAGE INSTABILITY
Long-distance transmission, fluctuating loads and varying renewable energy sources contribute to frequent voltage fluctuations.
LIMITED SHORT-CIRCUIT POWER
Power electronics-based generation does not contribute significantly to the availability of fault current, reducing the efficiency of network protection.
GRID DECENTRALISATION AND MICROGRID EXPANSION
As critical industries and infrastructures move towards more self-sufficient energy systems, ensuring power quality and reliability in microgrids becomes essential to prevent equipment damage and operational failures.
Advantages
FREQUENCY STABILISATION
By harnessing its large rotating kinetic energy, SYNCMASTER® helps to dampen frequency fluctuations.
VOLTAGE CONTROL
SYNCMASTER® continuously regulates reactive power, ensuring constant voltage levels.
NETWORK INTEGRITY AND PROTECTION
Increases short-circuit power, improves system protection and prevents faults.
OPTIMISATION OF GRID LOSSES
The possibility of continuously regulating reactive power will reduce unnecessary reactive current in mains lines.
This will save energy and optimise the load on networks where every kW is important.
Applications
TRANSMISSION NETWORKS
The SYNCMASTER® improves transmission networks
- Providing static and dynamic reactive power compensation.
- It offers rotational inertia to mitigate frequency fluctuations.
- Increasing the short-circuit power to improve grid protection and reduce voltage harmonics.rotational hertz to mitigate frequency fluctuations.
- Minimise line losses by optimising reactive current in the transport line.
MICROGRIDS, HYBRID AND ISOLATED NETWORKS
The SYNCMASTER® improves microgrids through:
- Maintaining voltage stability with reactive power support.
- It provides the inertia required for stable frequency control.
- Increasing fault current levels to improve protection schemes.
- Optimising the network load by managing unnecessary reactive currents.
INTEGRATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGIES
SYNCMASTER® helps networks integrate renewable energy through:
- Managing power fluctuations in wind and solar generation.
- Providing the necessary inertia for stable frequency control.
- Improving grid resilience to cope with increased renewable energy penetration.
- Reduction of THD (distortion factor) introduced by inverters, both those serving electric motors and those for conversion from renewable sources.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
SYNCMASTER® ensures the operational safety of industries with high inductive loads or sensitive electrical equipment:
- Voltage stability in steel mills, amusement parks and production plants.
- Supporting hospitals and critical infrastructures with reliable power.
- Increase in load power factor (power factor correction of highly inductive loads such as large industries with many electric motors).
- Reduction of THD (distortion factor) introduced by inverters, both those serving electric motors and those for conversion from renewable sources.
Solutions
TURNKEY STANDALONE UNITS
Optimised for high voltage transmission networks to be installed in a dedicated substation.
| Parameter | Typical Value / Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rated Reactive Power (MVAR) | 2 – 80 | Capacitive: up to +80 MVAR, Inductive: up to -40 MVAR |
| Operating Voltage (kV) | 3 – 13.8 | Other voltages available on request |
| Nominal Frequency (Hz) | 50 / 60 | Selectable at design stage |
| Cooling Type | IC01, IC81W, IC611 | Air/air or air/water heat exchangers |
| Ingress Protection (IP) | IP23 to IP55 | According to IEC 60034-5 |
| Inertia Constant (H) | 1.7 – 10 s | Project dependent |
| Subtransient Reactance (X”d) | 0.1 – 0.3 p.u. | Based on machine size |
| Rated Current (A) | 150 – 4000 A | Dependent on MVAR and voltage |
| Short-Circuit Current | Up to 10x rated current | Withstand capacity |
| Efficiency | ≥ 97% | Typical at rated operation |
| Operating Temperature (°C) | -40 to +60 | Ambient temperature range |
| Excitation Type | Static / Brushless | Fast response systems |
| Starting System | Pony motor + VFD / SFC | Soft-starting options |
| Cooling Method | Air cooled (IC01) or water cooled (IC8) or Air to Air (IC6) | Application specific |
| Lubrication System | Forced oil with jacking oil | Sleeve bearings |
| Mounting Arrangement | IM1001, IM1005, IM7311, IM7315 | IEC compliant |
| Stator Room Dimensions | 6x4x10 m (typical) | For air-cooled or TEWAC installations |
| Control Room Dimensions | 3x3x6 m to 6x6x12 m | For VFDs, exciters, LV panels |
| Standards | IEC, IEEE, NEMA, ABNT | ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 certified |
| Applications | Stabilization, inertia, VAr support | HV substations, renewables |
CONTAINERISED UNIT
Plug-and-play system for microgrid and industrial applications and for quick and easy on-site implementation. Can be parallelised to increase power.
| Parameter | Typical Value / Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rated Reactive Power (MVAR) | 1 – 6 | Capacitive: up to + 6 MVAR, Inductive: up to -3 MVAR |
| Operating Voltage (kV) | 3 – 13.8 | Other voltages available on request |
| Nominal Frequency (Hz) | 50 / 60 | Selectable at design stage |
| Ingress Protection (IP) | IP23 to IP55 | According to IEC 60034-5 |
| Inertia Constant (H) | Up to 2.5 s | Project dependent |
| Subtransient Reactance (X”d) | < 15 % | Based on machine size |
| Rated Current (A) | Up to 4000 A | Dependent on MVAR and voltage |
| Short-Circuit Current | Up to 10x rated current | Withstand capacity |
| Efficiency | ≥ 97% | Typical at rated operation |
| Operating Temperature (°C) | -20°C to +50°C | Other on request |
| Excitation Type | Brushless | Static on request |
| Starting System | Pony motor + VFD | Soft-starting options |
| Cooling Method | Air cooled (IC01) or water cooled (IC8) or Air to Air (IC6) | Application specific |
| Lubrication System | Forced | Sleeve bearings |
| Mounting Arrangement | Horizontal | IEC compliant |
| Soundproof Level | ≤ 75 dB (A) @ 1 m | In compliance with ISO 3744 |
| Container Dimensions (Compensator Box) | 20 ft (1 MVAR) up to 40 ft (6 MVAR) | Typical layout range |
| Standards | IEC, IEEE, NEMA, ABNT | ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 certified |
| Applications | Containerized solutions for grid support. Stabilization, inertia, VAr support. Flexible and modular. Very fast implementation (turnkey solution). Can be parallelised to increase the total power. |
