1

Modern Synchronous Condenser Performance

Considerations
Paul E. Marken, Senior Member, IEEE, Arthur C. Depoian, Member, IEEE, John Skliutas, Member,
IEEE, and Michael Verrier

There have also been many advances made in synchronous

Abstract—Many transmission entities around the world are
considering the use of modern synchronous condensers as part of
their overall transmission solution. This paper explores the
performance characteristics of synchronous condensers and
provides reasons why this time-proven technology is now again
seen as offering many beneficial characteristics to the
transmission grid. Of particular interest are applications in
small isolated systems with high penetrations of renewable power
sources. Such systems magnify the benefits provided by the
synchronous condenser. Another common application involves
placement of synchronous condensers electrically near HVDC
installations to increase the system short circuit MVA. This
paper reports on observations from one particular system that
has been studied which involves all of the above situations.
Index Terms—Inertia, Power system dynamic stability,
Reactive power, Short circuit currents, Synchronous condenser.
I. INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY
machine technology in the past twenty-five years. Modern
controls using microprocessors are much faster and more
precise than control systems of yesterday. Modern field
exciters using power electronics are a far cry from the Ward-
Leonard systems of 1911, resulting in synchronous condenser
performance that is much more in line with SVC response
speeds. The dynamic response of a modern synchronous
condenser was reported in [6] and is not repeated here.
Although few synchronous condensers were produced in the
last twenty-five years, generator technology continued to
advance. Using modern machine designs, as seen in Figure 1,
for a synchronous condenser allows for economic and reliable
production of machines that were not possible in the past.
Source [7] from 1920 explains, for example, that condensers
were made with multiple poles to slow the machine down, as
high-speed machines are too expensive.

S YNCHRONOUS condensers have been used to support

electric power systems almost as long as power systems
have existed. A General Electric publication from 1911
indicates that synchronous condensers were common at that
time. [1] As power electronics developed, static versions of
reactive power devices such as Static Var Compensators
(SVC) and STATCOM became more common. These devices
tended to require less up front capital costs and did not
involve a rotating machine and its associated maintenance
requirements. For the past twenty-five years, there has been
little interest in synchronous condensers and their application,
as SVCs have dominated this marketplace.
The winds of change have blown in an unprecedented
interest in renewable power. Many utilities have target Fig. 1. Modern synchronous machines applied as condensers
amounts of renewable generation that they are being
challenged or even required to meet. Wind power is With modern machine designs available today, and the
predominantly the solution of choice to meet these targets, modern electronics available for controls, it is appropriate to
though high levels of wind penetration can create again examine synchronous condensers as a dynamic reactive
challenges.[2, 3, 4, 5] Synchronous condensers offer some power solution. This paper examines modern synchronous
advantages over static devices when applied in support of condenser performance characteristics. Some study results
wind generation, including providing rotating inertia as well from a particularly interesting island power system are shared,
as increasing the short circuit strength of the grid. which demonstrate some of the unique benefits available using
a synchronous condenser solution. Figure 2 is a photo of an
historical synchronous condenser installation circa 1911.

Paul E. Marken is with GE Energy, Columbia City, IN USA (e-mail:

paul.marken@ieee.org).
Arthur C. Depoian is with GE Energy, Ft. Edward, NY. Michael Verrier is with Transend Networks Pty Ltd, Lenah Valley,
John Skliutas is with GE Energy, Schenectady, NY. Tasmania, Australia.

978-1-4577-1002-5/11/$26.00 ©2011 IEEE

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Figure 3. SVC current output drops off with voltage.

Fig. 2. Historical Synchronous Condenser Installation [1]

II. PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS

A synchronous condenser is a dynamic reactive power
device. As reported in [8], there are several comparative
differences with power electronic solutions. Depending on
the particular system being studied, these have varying degree
of significance. Included in the previously cited example
were harmonics, control interactions, low voltage ride
Figure 4. STATCOM and synchronous condenser current output can remain
through, overload capability, maintenance, and obsolescence. constant until voltage is very low.
Some of these characteristic differences are intuitive, such as
the lack of harmonics produced by a synchronous condenser,
and were covered in previous papers recently published, so are B. Overload capability
not discussed here. Modern synchronous machine designs not only allow
machines to be built reliably with fewer poles and faster
A. Low Voltage Output
speeds, but can also be built with significant overload
The output of a reactive power device at low voltage is of capability. The machines produced for Vermont Electric
particular importance. The function of the device after all, can Company were not necessarily typical, but are an example of
be summed up in the regulation of voltage at a particular point the overload capabilities possible with modern synchronous
in the power system. As a system event causes voltage to fall, condensers. As with most devices, the greater the amount of
the device must produce more reactive power to bring the overload current, the shorter the time the machines can
voltage back up. As a static, shunt device, an SVC’s current tolerate it. With a synchronous condenser, the values are quite
output drops off with the voltage. The reactive power output significant. Figure 5 shows the expected capability of these
capability of an SVC, therefore, drops off with the square of machines.
the voltage. A STATCOM is considered superior to an SVC
as its output current can remain constant at reduced voltage
levels. [9] A synchronous condenser is more similar to the
STATCOM in this regard as its output current can also be
maintained under low voltage conditions. Figures 3 and 4
illustrate this point graphically. Figure 3 shows how the
current output of an SVC can be expected to drop off with
voltage. Figure 4 shows the constant current nature of
STATCOM and synchronous condenser.

Fig. 5. Overload capability of the VELCO synchronous condenser at 2-hours,

10-minutes, and 5-seconds.

The figure shows that these machines could sustain
overload currents in the range of a few percent for 2 hours.
For a ten-minute scenario, currents up to 175% of nameplate
are possible. For five seconds, up to three times rated current
can be produced. As many power system events are measured
in milliseconds, a ten-minute or even a five-second
characteristic can actually be quite useful in applying a
synchronous condenser for dynamic support. [11]
C. V-Q Curve Characteristic
The reactive power output from any of these devices is
obviously the key reason for their being. The SVC, with its
current decreasing with voltage, has a reactive power output
that drops off with the square of the voltage. For applications
where output under low voltage conditions is an important
factor, the SVC performance is less impressive. The
STATCOM performs better under low voltage conditions with
reactive power output decreasing in proportion to voltage. [9]
At first it would seem that the synchronous condenser
should perform similarly to the STATCOM. However, one
must take into account the significant overload capability
mentioned above. For periods of a few seconds, it is possible
for a synchronous condenser’s reactive power output to
remain constant even as voltage decreases. Depending on
system needs, this could be a valuable characteristic. Figure 6
shows possible V-I and V-Q curves of a synchronous
condenser, when making use of the machine’s overload
capability. The reactive power output in the right half of
Figure 6 could be held constant as voltage decreases, up to a
point. To achieve rated power output at low voltage would
require the current to increase. This increase in current can be
observed in the associated V-I curve of the left half of Figure
6. The limit of the low voltage would depend on a number of
system design factors including the synchronous machine
itself, the control system, and even auxiliary components such
as lubrication and cooling.
Fig. 6. Magnetization as a function of applied field.
As evidenced in the above figure, the overload capability of
the machine, combined with the speed and accuracy of
modern field exciters, can produce an effective combination.
The ability of a modern synchronous condenser to produce
rated reactive power, even at voltages below nominal, may
allow smaller machines to suffice when compared to
nameplate ratings of SVCs. This unique characteristic may
prove valuable to system planners who must deal with low
voltage contingencies.
3
D. Inertia
Rotating inertia is another interesting characteristic that is
unique to the synchronous condenser reactive power solution.
Renewable power sources are viewed very favorably,
however, they tend to provide less inertia to the power system
than traditional thermal units. As thermal power sources are
effectively displaced by solar and/or wind power, the system
inertia tends to decrease. One manufacturer is offering wind
turbines that can simulate higher inertia through clever use of
the controls. [2, 3] This incremental increase in inertia from
the wind turbines, however, is not always enough.
The inertia problem can be especially acute in smaller and
more isolated grids. One such power system exists on the
island state of Tasmania. The Tasmanian power system is
supplied predominantly by hydro generators, which are
subject to hydrological risks. The Basslink 630MW export
480MW import HVDC link, which at 290 km (181 miles) of
undersea cable makes it the second longest of its type in the
world [12], links Tasmania to the Australian mainland. This
link enables connection of the Tasmanian system into the
National Electricty Market as depicted in Figure 7.
The system inertia in Tasmania can be relatively low,
especially when power is being imported across the DC link at
time of low demand. The system also experiences shortages
of fast acting frequency control ancillary services (FCAS)
because of the slow response of hydro generators to frequency
disturbances. There is presently one wind farm with 140MW
of installed capacity, with several others in committed or
publicly announced stages. As Transend, the Tasmanian
transmission entity, considers future power system
possibilities, scenarios being studied include a second DC link
across the Bass Strait as well as additional wind power
sources. [10, 13]
Transend studies indicate that with the present 140MW of
wind generation capacity, the rate of change of frequency
approaches 3 hertz per second following a Basslink trip from
high import during a time of low system inertia. As more
wind generation is added to the system, it is expected that
local FCAS requirements will increase. As these services
become tight, Basslink is used to transfer FCAS from the
mainland, which reduces the energy transfer capability of the
DC link. In addition, because of the ‘no-go zone’ of this
thyristor based DC link, it is possible for Basslink to become
trapped on import and not be able to reverse flow. This in
turn causes the spot price of energy to collapse in their
simulations. Transend is recommending synchronous
condensers as part of the possible solution to the FCAS
challenges as they increase system inertia. [15].
Transend has also identified potential future voltage
stability issues due to the future load forecast increases in
certain areas of Tasmania. Dynamic reactive support devices
such as SVC’s or STATCOM’s are known to be a suitable
solution to satisfy voltage stability issues but as these devices
only tackle one issue in the system Transend is closely
researching the application of Synchronous Condensers as

they will not only provide voltage support for the voltage
stability issues but also provide fault level and inertia support.
The fault level and inertia support is required for the increase
of wind farm installations over and above that required to be
provided by wind farm proponents. Transend is actively
looking to reduce capital equipment expenditure and O&M
costs and be pro-active to assist the increased penetration of
wind farms by installing modern synchronous condensers in
place of a combination of other forms of dynamic reactive
support, fault level and inertia support devices.
Australia
Basslink
HVDC
undersea cable
Fig. 7. Representation of HVDC connection of Tasmania to mainland
Australian and interconnection into eastern seaboard national electricity
market [14].
E. Short Circuit Strength
Based on long-range system planning studies performed by
Transend, the steady state and dynamic performance of that
system is improved with the addition of synchronous
condensers. Enhanced system performance is related, in part,
to the condenser’s ability to contribute to the short circuit
current in local faults in a manner similar to that of a
conventional power plant. For a three-phase fault at the local
transmission bus, the first approximation of the symmetrical
short circuit current, ignoring resistance, is determined by
dividing the voltage behind subtransient reactance by the sum
of the subtransient reactance (X”d) and the transformer
leakage impedance (Xt). Figure 8 is a simplified one-line
diagram that corresponds to (1).
E short-term overload capability. They can provide rotating
I=
jX "d + jX t
In the event that the synchronous condenser is floating or
operating with no net var output, the terminal voltage (Vt) and
the internal voltage (E) will be the same, typically at or near
1.0 per unit voltage. During maximum overexcited operation,
MVArs will be supplied to the system and the internal
condenser voltage E will be higher than 1.0 p.u. A higher
4
short circuit is also expected.
I
jX”d jX t
E Vt Vb
Fig. 8. One-Line diagram of simplified synchronous condenser short circuit.
One of the ways to maximize the effectiveness of the
synchronous condenser, from a short circuit perspective, is to
minimize the impedance of both the condenser and
transformer. Since the subtransient reactance is relatively
fixed in per unit on the condenser MVA base, reducing the
transformer leakage impedance is the only remaining option.
To illustrate, consider the two following transformers, one
with Xt = 0.12 and one with Xt = 0.06 p.u. connected to a
condenser with X”d = 0.15 p.u., and an internal voltage of 1.0
p.u.: The short circuit current associated with the first
transformer is 3.70 p.u. compared to 4.76 p.u. with the lower
leakage transformer representing a 29% difference. In
general, it is more economical to reduce transformer leakage
impedance than increase the condenser nameplate rating to
achieve a given short circuit current or short circuit MVA.
The Basslink HVDC system was designed for a minimum
fault level of 1200MVA. Transend studies report that as
future wind generation displaces the existing hydro
generation, that this minimum fault level may not always be
met. Simulations involving a second, voltage source
converter based DC link help the FCAS situation, but
interestingly increases the number of scenarios where an
unacceptably low fault level occurs. As a possible mitigation
method for the low fault levels, Transend simulated adding
synchronous condensers to their power system. These were
modeled at three locations of four 25MVAR units each. This
was based on the installation reported in [6] and [8].
Rerunning the same cases with unacceptably low fault levels,
but now with synchronous condensers in the system, a
minimum fault level of 1440MVA was maintained [13].
III. CONCLUSIONS
Synchronous condensers can provide many benefits to a
power system. They have useful characteristics with regard to
voltage support, especially when considering use of their
(1)
inertia to a power system and can also increase system short
circuit strength. These traits can be helpful as systems adapt
to higher penetrations of renewable power sources, such as
wind or solar. System challenges and the effectiveness of a
synchronous condenser solution can be more pronounced in
smaller grids such as island power systems. In the island state
of Tasmania, simulations show that synchronous condensers
can not only help with system inertia and short circuit
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strength, but also support the use of the existing and even
possible future DC links. Although they have existed for many
years and were once considered obsolete, the value and
usefulness of the synchronous condenser is again resurfacing.
IV. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions from
Sead Pasalic, Manager Strategic Grid Planning, Transend
Networks, and his work modeling the power system of
Tasmania.
V. REFERENCES
[1] John Liston, "Typical Synchronous Condenser Installations," General
Electric Company Review, vol. 14, pp. 234-241, Jan. 1911.
[2] N. Miller and P. Marken, “Facts On Grid Friendly Wind Plants,”
presented at IEEE PES General Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, July 2010.
[3] N. Miller, K. Clark, M. Cardinal, and R. Delmerico, "Grid Friendly
Wind Plan Controls: GE WindCONTROL – Functionality and Field
Tests,” European Wind Energy Conference & Exhibition, Brussels,
Belgium, March/April 2008.
[4] “Interconnection for Wind Energy”, U.S. Federal Regulatory
Commission, Order 661-A, December 12, 2005, Available
http://www.ferc.gov.
[5] “Grid Code, High and Extra-High Voltage”, E.ON Netz GmbH,
Bayreuth, Germany, April 1, 2006.
[6] P. Marken, D. LaForest, R. D’Aquila, D. Wallace, E. Kronbeck, and J.
Skliutas, “Dynamic Performance of the Next Generation Synchronous
Condenser at VELCO,” presented at IEEE PES Power Systems
Conference and Exposition, Seattle, WA, March 2009.
VI. BIOGRAPHIES
Paul E. Marken (S’88, M’90, SM’08) graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute
of Technology in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical
Engineering. Paul has been with General Electric Company since 1990 and
has held a wide range of engineering positions. His roles have included Power
Systems Engineer, Project Engineer, Project Manager, and Application
Engineer. Paul is currently the FACTS Engineering Technical Leader for GE
Digital Energy. Paul is a Registered Professional Engineer in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of Indiana. Paul is a Senior
Member of the IEEE Power and Energy Society.
Arthur C. Depoian received a BSEE from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in
1976. He has been with GE since 1994 and is currently a Commercial
Manager in the Flexible AC Transmission (FACTS) business of GE. Art is
actively involved in both technical and commercial aspects of Series
Compensation, Variable Frequency Transformer, and Synchronous Condenser
projects. Prior to his career at GE, Art held a variety of Engineering and
Management positions in the textile, automotive, paper converting, and
medical products industries. Art is a licensed Professional Engineer in the
State of New York, and a member of IEEE and NSPE.
John Skliutas (M ’89) received a BSEE degree from Worcester Polytechnic
Institute and a MEE in Electric Power Engineering from Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute and has been with GE since 1980. He is currently a
Principal with GE Energy and conducts consulting and research work in the
area of insulation coordination, harmonics, and T&D equipment application.
Michael Verrier received an Associate Diploma of Engineering (Electrical)
in 1990 from the Hobart technical college, Tasmania and a B.Tech (Power
Eng) degree in 2007 from the University of Southern Queensland. Michael has
worked at Transend Networks for the last eight years and since August 2009
in their Strategic Grid Planning department as the Senior Planning Engineer.
His work includes research and specification of the strategic direction of the
Tasmanian transmission network as well as to investigate the need for and
identify the requirements of dynamic reactive support devices for the
Tasmanian Transmission system.

[7] E. B. Plenge, "Synchronous Condensers," General Electric Company

Review, vol. 23, pp. 143-146, Jan. 1920.
[8] P. Marken, M. Henderson, D. LaForest, J. Skliutas, J. Roedel, and T.
Campbell, “Selection of Synchronous Condenser Technology for the
Granite Substation,” presented at IEEE PES Transmission and
Distribution Conference and Exposition, New Orleans, LA, April 2010.
[9] N. Hingorani and L. Gyugyi, Understanding FACTS, Concepts and
Technology of Flexible AC Transmission Systems, New York: Wiley,
2000, pp. 197-199.
[10] Wind power modelling and analysis of simulated output for regions in
Tasmania Executive summary. Transend Networks Pty Ltd. Tech. Rep.
TNM-GR-809-0874-001. [Online] Available:
http://www.transend.com.au/download/D10-34713

[11] P. Marken, “A Comparison of Reactive Power Devices: Synchronous

Condenser and FACTS, The VELCO case study,” presented at EPRI’s
High Voltage Direct Current & FACTS Conference, Palo Alto, CA,
October 2010.
[12] Basslink website: http://www.basslink.com.au/home/index.php?id=38
[13] “Simplified Market Simulations for 2nd Bass Strait DC Link,” Transend
Networks Pty Ltd Tech. Rep. D10/53821, Issue 0.1, July 2010.
[14] Transend website: http://www.transend.com.au/download/D07-40449
[15] M. Ringrose, B. March. (2009, May). Future wind generation in
Tasmania Executive Summary. Transend Networks Pty Ltd. Tech. Rep.
TNM-GR-809-0874-001. [Online] Available:
http://www.transend.com.au/download/D09-50930