Grid stability and renewables integration |
power accomplishes useful work from voltage and current, reactive power (measured in volt amperes reactive or VARs) provides much needed voltage support. In addition to inhibiting the possibility of a catastrophic voltage collapse, reactive power increases transmission efficiency and boosts the amount of real power that can be transmitted over a line.
Due to the large distances involved in WA, plenty of reactive power support is needed. With coal plants retirements moving forward, the need for system stability is only going to increase. Synergy owns two coal power stations, both of which are scheduled for closure. The 854 MW Muja plant and the 340 MW Collie plant are both in the SWIS region about 200 km south of Perth. Collie will be closed by 2027 while Muja will be shuttered in 2029.
With so much system inertia coming offline in the region, the work of the generators at Pinjar becomes more critical. Hence, Synergy has placed an order for a critical spare load gear and SSS clutch to ensure that unexpected faults, failures, or routine maintenance do not diminish the ability of the system to supply real and reactive power.
“There has been an increasing requirement
from the grid operator to validate the availability of the synchronising condenser function and hence the requirement for the purchase of the critical spare,” said Gross of Flender- Graffenstaden. “We received an order for a replacement gearbox at Pinjar with an SSS clutch to act as a critical spare gear box for the fleet in Pinjar with synchronising condenser functions.” The addition of clutches improves the value of the gas turbines. Instead of them sitting idle most of the time, the clutch enables them to provide ancillary services to the grid. Depending on the region, these services are incentivised by the grid operator. Gross reports that Flender- Graffenstaden has recently received an order for 16 more similar gear boxes recently, each with SSS clutch installed.
According to Nicholas Bellamy, Applications Manager at SSS Gears, all six gas turbine generators at Pinjar include SSS clutches within their main load gearboxes. Clutches were originally added only to enable synchronous condensing revenue by providing reactive power when the gas turbines are shut down. “Local grids have now realised the importance of electrical inertia, which is generally reducing as more rotating generation is becoming replaced
Several generators at the Pinjar power station were retrofitted with SSS clutches that were incorporated into the Flender-Graffenstaden load gears to provide reactive power and system support (Photo: Flender-Graffenstaden)
by solar PV and other renewable technologies,” said Bellamy. “The added flexibility courtesy of the SSS clutch qualifies the asset for any electrical inertia payments which local grids may authorise in due course, in addition to the reactive power payments, without the requirement to operate the gas turbine.”
Reactive Technologies aims to improve inertia monitoring precision with Siemens software
Reactive Technologies is to combine its grid stability monitoring technology with Siemens’ Gridscale X transmission planning software, PSS®E, with the aim of helping grid operators get a more accurate picture and real time view of inertia levels across their assets. Often, they have to rely on fossil fuel generation to provide a reliable source of inertia to maintain grid stability. However, if grid operators can accurately monitor grid inertia in real time, “they can rapidly respond to failures and unlock up to 30% more grid capacity through renewables,” suggests Siemens.
Reactive Technologies’ GridMetrix®
technology generates real-time, accurate grid inertia data, enabling grid operators to reduce the risk of grid instability and blackouts more effectively. By combining this technology with Siemens’ Gridscale X software, PSS®E, Reactive Technologies will be able to offer improved measurement of power grid inertia – the kinetic energy stored in generators, motors and condensers – and overall system strength to provide a real-time view of grid resilience for grid operators.
Through the partnership, “different grid scenarios can be planned with greater precision, giving operators greater insight into how their
current assets are performing and where best to target future capital investments”, says Siemens.
Reactive Technologies is to use Siemens’ Gridscale X software, PSS®E, to enhance visibility of grid inertia challenges (Photo: Reactive Technologies)
16 | April 2025|
www.modernpowersystems.com
Marc Borrett, the CEO of Reactive Technologies, said: “Power system simulations are a critical early-stage step in Reactive Technologies’ research and development process. The combination of real-world direct measurement data captured by our technology, and the power of Siemens’ PSS®E software now allows grid operators to simulate various network scenarios and drive data insights. As we transition to a resilient, low-carbon power grid future, this is vital as it provides actionable results for them to unlock the grid capacity by mitigating risks, reducing curtailments and planning more renewable resources assets.” “Reactive Technologies is demonstrating its value and deep expertise not only in the UK but all around the world through its projects,” said Magnus Torronen, Head of Siemens Grid Software Northern Europe. “PSS®E, part of Gridscale X software, now enhances this offering at a time when the market is eager for high quality, accurate data to help plan investment.” With Gridscale X, part of Siemens Xcelerator, an open digital business platform, Siemens says it offers “modular software that paves the way for autonomous grid management” and “empowers grid operators to accelerate digital transformation easier, faster, and at scale.”
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