| Transmission & distribution
two high-inertia SC systems for the Lister Drive Greener Grid project at Liverpool, England (see Figure 5). The innovative project will play a key role in stabilising the local grid to handle more wind and solar power. This will help National Grid meet its target of operating a zero-carbon electricity system by 2025.
This project will be the first anywhere in the world to feature an ABB High-Inertia configuration. This couples a 67 MVAr synchronous condenser with a 40 tonne flywheel that increases the instantaneously available inertia by 3.5 times.
The advantage of combining a mid-size SC with a flywheel (see Figure 6) is that the inertia available is increased several times, while the losses will be much lower compared to having all the inertia provided by SC. This approach is also a cost-effective way of using up to four mid-size synchronous condensers coupled together with the benefits of a high level of redundancy, increased inertia and greater controllability.
● Phoenix hybrid SC system In an innovative four year project (Phoenix), SP Energy Networks is working with the University of Strathclyde and the Technical University of Denmark to deliver the world’s first hybrid- synchronous condenser (H-SC).
The H-SC’s two main physical components are a traditional ABB synchronous condenser and a power electronic static compensator (STATCOM). The STATCOM’s role in the H-SC is to absorb or inject fast reactive power, which helps during transient stability issues or for active filtering. Together, the SC and STATCOM provide inertia, fault current support and MVArs (from the SC) and the “fast” MVArs (from the STATCOM), which provide a good fit for power system stability.
Above: Figure 6. The ABB High-Inertia concept combines a mid-size synchronous condenser with a flywheel
The H-SC was installed in 2019 at Neilston 275 kV substation near Glasgow (see Figure 7). It is undergoing trials to evaluate how it can inject or absorb energy into the network to maintain the voltage within the required limits. In effect, it will provide spinning reserve over a few seconds until other resources such as a battery energy storage system (BESS) or a reserve generator can be brought online.
Decentralised generation demands decentralised solutions In summary, there is an increasing grid penetration of renewables and fossil fuel power plants are being decommissioned. Together, these developments are bringing about profound changes in the structure of electricity networks.
Future networks with decentralised power generation will require decentralised solutions to ensure grid stability and resilience. Synchronous condensers can be deployed to strengthen weak networks in remote areas. Their advantages include inertia support for frequency stability, fault level contribution and voltage regulation – all functions that are challenging to achieve with power electronic systems on their own. The need for grid operators to address network quality issues and ensure reliability and continuity of supply will continue to grow, especially as they face the new challenges presented by renewables. That means that synchronous condensers, either on their own or in combination with static devices, will continue to enjoy a rebirth that could see several hundreds of units deployed worldwide over the next decade.
Above: Figure 7. Hybrid synchronous condenser installed at Neilston substation (the Phoenix project) For further information:
https://new.abb.com/motors-generators/synchronous-condensers
www.modernpowersystems.com | May 2021 | 15
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