Synchronous condensers 10–300 Mvar, including direct 35 kV grid connection
Synchronous condensers rated from 10 to 300 Mvar for reactive power control and for supporting voltage and inertia of the power system. The range covers distributed machines of 10–50 Mvar, small ones of 100–150 Mvar and large ones of 300 Mvar. The condensers are installed at converter substations of UHVDC lines and in grids with a high share of wind and solar plants.
- Power
- 10–50 Mvar (distributed); 100–150 Mvar (small); 300 Mvar (large); 6–300 Mvar according to the general list
- Design
- non-salient-pole (half and full rotational speed) and salient-pole (50 Mvar class)
- Cooling
- air (300 Mvar)
- Direct connection
- 35 kV without a step-up transformer (the world's first, passed type tests)
Price, availability and lead time on request. We help with analogue selection, customs clearance and delivery.
Description
When the share of wind and solar generation in a power system grows, grid inertia falls, resilience to disturbances worsens and the risk of voltage instability increases. A rotating synchronous machine compensates for these losses because it has real rotating mass and its own reactive power. The condenser works as a synchronous machine with no mechanical load on the shaft, and the supply or absorption of reactive power is set by the excitation current. During a frequency disturbance the rotating mass releases its stored kinetic energy and restrains the change of frequency. For this reason condensers are especially in demand at converter substations of ultra-high-voltage direct current (UHVDC) lines.
Distributed condensers of 10–50 Mvar are built as non-salient-pole machines, for half or full rotational speed. The range also includes salient-pole machines of the 50 Mvar class. According to the manufacturer's general list, the power range is 6–300 Mvar. Machines of other ratings are designed on request, and for a substation the full scope of work can be carried out. According to the manufacturer, the main parameters of distributed condensers exceed the requirements of Chinese national standards.
In 2018 a 300 Mvar air-cooled condenser passed type tests. At that time it was the largest condenser in the world for converter substations. Such machines operate at the sending and receiving ends of UHVDC lines in China.
Recently the world's first synchronous condenser with direct 35 kV grid connection, without a step-up transformer, passed type tests. To raise the rated voltage from 27 to 35 kV, a new mica insulation system was developed. Thicker insulation removes heat less well, so a new cooling system was created for the machine as well. Without a step-up transformer the substation has less equipment. The development involved the industry power research institute and leading technical universities of China.
The manufacturer also converts operating thermal power plant turbogenerators to synchronous condenser mode and introduces condenser mode on large hydro units. In this way existing power plant machines gain an additional mode for supporting voltage and grid inertia. The condensers are made at the works in Deyang (Sichuan province, China). The same works produces turbogenerators rated from 10 to 1200 MW and nuclear plant generators from 600 to 1750 MW.
Technical specifications
| Power | 10–50 Mvar (distributed); 100–150 Mvar (small); 300 Mvar (large); 6–300 Mvar according to the general list |
|---|---|
| Design | non-salient-pole (half and full rotational speed) and salient-pole (50 Mvar class) |
| Cooling | air (300 Mvar) |
| Direct connection | 35 kV without a step-up transformer (the world's first, passed type tests) |
| Application | UHVDC converter substations, grids with a high share of RES |
Request a price and lead time
Synchronous condensers 10–300 Mvar, including direct 35 kV grid connection. We reply within one business day.
Or email sales@usk.ua or call 044 339-50-20.
Questions and answers
What power range do the synchronous condensers have?
Distributed machines are 10–50 Mvar, small ones 100–150 Mvar and large ones 300 Mvar. Other ratings are designed on request.
Can a condenser be connected to the grid without a transformer?
Yes, a condenser with direct 35 kV grid connection has passed type tests. The rated voltage was raised from 27 to 35 kV by means of new mica insulation and a new cooling system.
What cooling does the 300 Mvar condenser have?
The 300 Mvar condenser is air-cooled. It passed type tests in 2018.
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