Synchronous Condenser for Renewable Integration in India

Synchronous condenser is well-established and proven technology, and it can play an important role in strengthening the quality and resilience of today’s power grids. Synchronous condensers were previously used for reactive power compensation however advances in power electronics led to the development of static compensators etc which offered better controllability, flexibility and speed. Therefore, the deployment/usage of Synchronous condensers was limited and it looked as an obsolete technology. But, Synchronous condensers offers various benefits, such as providing dynamic reactive power and short circuit power support, strengthening the power system with inertia etc thus providing an effective solution to issues due to rising share of renewable generation. Therefore, with increase in integration of renewable energy into the grid, Synchronous condensers has again started to attract interest of electricity utilities and grid operator’s world over. Based on the literature survey, various aspects relating synchronous condensers deployment have been discussed briefly.