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Synchronous Condenser

Grid Equipment

A synchronous condenser is a DC-excited synchronous motor whose shaft is not connected to anything and simply spins freely. Its purpose is not to convert electric power to mechanical power or the reverse, but to adjust conditions on the three-phase electric power transmission grid: a voltage regulator controls its field to either generate or absorb reactive power as needed, adjusting the grid's voltage or improving its power factor. A synchronous condenser's installation and operation are identical to those of a large electric motor or generator.

Facts
Technology Type
A DC-excited synchronous motor whose shaft is not coupled to any load and spins freely, used to adjust reactive power and voltage on the electric grid rather than to convert power. 1
Invented Year
1930 1
Wikipedia states rotating synchronous condensers were introduced in the 1930s and were common by the 1950s; no more precise single year is given.
Classification
Maturity
TRL 9: Actual System Proven in Operational Environment 1
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Synchronous Condenser
Wikipedia
  • Lead section
    a DC-excited synchronous motor, whose shaft is not connected to anything but spins freely.
  • Application, Adding inertia section
    Rotating synchronous condensers were introduced in 1930s and were common in 1950s
  • In Group: Reactive Power and Voltage Control, Lead
    In electrical engineering, a synchronous condenser (sometimes called a syncon, synchronous capacitor or synchronous compensator) is a DC-excited synchronous motor, whose shaft is not connected to anything but spins freely.
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