Development Application and Dynamic Characteristics of Synchronous Condenser in Electric Power System

Abstract

[Introduction] With the establishment of the energy Internet architecture mainly relying on new energies, HVDC transmission has become an important way of power transmission, power grids present a new characteristic of "strong DC and weak AC". Synchronous condensers have unique advantages in dealing with the issue of "strong DC and weak AC" by virtue of their dynamic performance such as fast reactive power response and strong voltage support capability. [Method] To study the application of synchronous condensers in HVDC works, this paper summarized the development of synchronous condensers, introduced the current development status of several major types of synchronous condensers in China, such as synchronous condensers for transforming thermal power units, new-generation large-capacity synchronous condensers, distributed synchronous condensers, analyzed the working principle and dynamic characteristics of synchronous condensers. Then the paper summarized the virtues of synchronous condensers when compared with other reactive power compensation devices such as SVC, the application scenarios, existing configuration strategies of large-capacity synchronous condensers and distributed synchronous condensers. [Result] Finally, a simulation model of DC transmission system with synchronous condensers is built on the PSCAD/EMTDC platform. The simulation verify the suppression capability of synchronous condensers for commutation failure at the sending end and transient overvoltage at the receiving end caused by commutation failure, as well as the dynamic reactive power compensation capability under lagging phase operation. [Conclusion] The analysis shows that synchronous condensers have adequate suppression of transient overvoltage and commutation failure and their reactive power response speed and dynamic reactive power support capability will not be affected by lagging phase operation, which contributes to their prospect of engineering application for steady-state compensation in converter stations.

Keywords

• synchronous condenser
• reactive power compensation
• commutation failure
• transient overvoltage
• dynamic characteristics