Expert Workshop Series

Vacuum Generator
Circuit-Breaker for
Synchronous Condenser
Applications

Unrestricted | © Siemens 2023 | Expert Workshop Series | 2023-01-31

Agenda

Topic Presenter

1 Standards IEC/IEEE62271-37-013 version 2015 vs 2021 Fabian Rademacher

Generator Circuit Breaker for synchronous condenser
2 Hong Urbanek
application

3 Introducing our new Generator Circuit Breaker HB1-C Edouard Desplanche

4 General Q&A All

Page 2 Unrestricted | © Siemens 2023 | Expert Workshop Series | 2023-01-31

Vacuum Generator Circuit-Breaker Systems
Greenfield and retrofit solutions for all Industries

Power Generation Utilities & Industries Oil & Gas

• Gas Fired Power • Synchronous Condenser • Mid-Stream
• Thermal Power • Arc Furnace • Down-Stream
(Concentrated Solar Power, • Pulp & Paper
Waste-to-Energy, Biomass) • Data Center
• Hydro Power
• Pumped Storage Power

Installed fleet
(%) ~ 85 % ~ 10 % ~5%
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Utility Applications
Opportunities for Synchronous Condenser

Challenges Benefits
• Reduction of nuclear and fossil power is • Increased controlled reactive power in the grid
causing stability problems in the HV grid (reduction of short- • Increased short-circuit capacity in the grid
circuit cower and voltage / frequency stability) • Stability of grid voltage / frequency
• Increase of renewable energy (means stress to power grid) • Ability to settle grid system incidents
• International transit trade of electricity (causes additional • Increased load fow capacity
stress to transmission network)
Problems Reference: Deecke, Kawecki – Usage of Existing Power
Plants as Synchronous Condenser, Siemens AG, 2015
• Lack of short-circuit power in the grid DOI: 10.15199/48.2015.10.12

• Voltage and frequency swings in the grid

• Lack of generators for reactive power

• Difficulties in power factor regulation

Active / Reactive Power Flow

Page 4 Unrestricted | © Siemens 2023 | Expert Workshop Series | 2023-01-31

Generator Circuit-Breaker Switchgear
Application in Combined Cycle Power Plant

Isolated Phase Busbar Generator

Generator Circuit Breaker

Generator Step Up Transformer

Page 5 Unrestricted | © Siemens 2023 | Expert Workshop Series | 2023-01-31

Generator Circuit-Breaker Switchgear
Application in Combined Cycle Power Plant

Isolated Phase Busbar Generator

High continuous operating current

✓
~
High short-circuit current level
✓
Short-circuit current with high
degree of asymmetry ✓
Possible delayed current zeroes
✓
High and steep transient recovery
Generator Circuit Breaker
voltage ✓
Generator Step Up Transformer

Page 6 Unrestricted | © Siemens 2023 | Expert Workshop Series | 2023-01-31

Special Requirements on Generator-Circuit Breaker
Fault scenarios: Generator-Source / System-Source

Generator-Source short-circuit System-Source short-circuit

Page 7 Unrestricted | © Siemens 2023 | Expert Workshop Series | 2023-01-31

Special Requirements on Vacuum Generator-Circuit Breaker
Fault scenario: false synchronization

Generator-Source short-circuit System-Source short-circuit

False synchronization Out-of-Phase fault

short-circuit current →
Interaction between

Asymmetrical
•
generator and system
• No generally valid short-
circuit characteristics
Time →

Page 8 Unrestricted | © Siemens 2023 | Expert Workshop Series | 2023-01-31

Suitability of Vacuum Generator Circuit-Breaker
Fault initiation conditions and relevant criteria

Current →

Asymmetry →
Isolated star point
• symmetrical three-phase fault

• low ohmic fault resistance (no-load)

Fault initiation
• at voltage zero
(maximum peak current)

• at voltage maximum
(maximum arcing time)
Aim: worst-case scenarios
• maximum mechanical stress Time →

(maximum peak current) I''k Initial short-circuit current (RMS)
ip Short-circuit peak current
• maximum thermal stress isc Transient short-circuit current
(maximum arcing time) Isym Symmetrical breaking current (RMS)
Idc Direct breaking current (RMS)
Iasym Asymmetrical breaking current (RMS)
tpro Protection (relay) time
topen Opening time (mechanical)
tcp Contact parting time
DC% Degree of asymmetry

Page 9 Unrestricted | © Siemens 2023 | Expert Workshop Series | 2023-01-31

Suitability of Vacuum Generator Circuit-Breaker
Fault initiation conditions and relevant criteria

Isolated star point

• symmetrical three-phase fault

• low ohmic fault resistance (no-load)

Fault initiation
• at voltage zero
maximum asymmetrical phase
opposite phases with moderate asymmetry

• at voltage maximum
symmetrical phase (without asymmetry)
maximum asymmetrical opposite phases
Aim: worst-case scenarios
• maximum mechanical stress
(maximum peak current)

• maximum thermal stress

(maximum arcing time)
Page 10 Unrestricted | © Siemens 2023 | Expert Workshop Series | 2023-01-31
Suitability of Vacuum Generator Circuit-Breaker
Effect of arc voltage

tcp

isc

Idc

Results: Siemens Energy SGen5/6-1000A Series (Turbogenerator)

Page 11 Unrestricted | © Siemens 2023 | Expert Workshop Series | 2023-01-31
Operation of generators
Underexcitation / Overexcitation

Limitations Excitation
• Overexcitation: rotor field current > 100%
• Stator: armature current reactive power > 0 %
• Rotor: field winding current (excitation) • Underexcitation: rotor field current < 100 %

• Operation: stator end heating / rotor angle safety reactive power < 0 %

margin / minimum necessary excitation I1∙jXd

I1∙R I1∙R

I1∙jXd
Motor mode

U1
U1
Up
Up
ϑ
ϑ

φ φ I1
I1

overexcited underexcited

I1∙jXd
I1∙R
I1∙jXd

I1∙R

U1

Up Generator mode Up
U1

ϑ
ϑ

φ
I1
Page 12 Unrestricted | © Siemens 2023 | Expert Workshop Series | 2023-01-31 I1 φ
Operation of generators
Underexcitation / Overexcitation: capability curve

Limitations
• Synchronous Generator:
Stator limitation
Rotor limitation
Synchronous Condenser:
Stator limitation

Power capability
• Enhanced reactive power
capability for SynCon
Operation regime
• SynGen: (0.8 lead…0.8 lag)|pf. Reference: Siemens Energy SGen5/6-100A Series
SynCon: ≈ 150 MVA (Apparent Power)
• SynCon: (0…0.2 lead)|pf. SynGen: ≈ 155 MVA (Apparent Power)
(0.2 lag…0)|pf. (Turbogenerator)

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 100 100
Operation of Generators 80 90
Influence on short-circuit current criteria

Active Power [%]

OP / Max [%]
60 80

40 70

Operation 20 60

• Influence on short-circuit current criteria 0 50

-100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100
(during operation) Reactive Power [%]

• Lagging power factor / positive reactive power Isym DC% ip

Highest peak current

I1∙jXd
Highest symmetrical breaking current I1∙R I1∙R

• Leading power factor / negative reactive power Motor mode I1∙jXd

U1
Highest asymmetry Up
U1
Up

ϑ
ϑ

φ φ I1
I1

overexcited underexcited

I1∙jXd
I1∙R
I1∙jXd

I1∙R

Reference: Siemens Energy SGen5/6-100A Series U1

SynCon: ≈ 150 MVA (Apparent Power) Up

U1
Generator mode Up

ϑ
ϑ

φ
I1
I1 φ

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Out-of-phase angle
Influence on current amplitude and constriction

• higher the out-of-phase angle

= higher current amplitude

• higher the out-of-phase angle

= later current constriction

250 250

200
δ0 = 90° 200
δ0 = 180°
150 150

100 100 Tim

e→
50 50

0 0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5

-50 -50

-100 -100

-150 -150

-200 -200

-250 -250
Phase R Phase S Phase T Phase R Phase S Phase T

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Parameters of Generators
Data sheet: SynCon / SynGen

Inertia
Parameter
• SynGen:
xd >...>>
usually connected to x'd >…>>
G
turbine delivering G
Q x''d >…>>
GCB BUSMV GSUT BUSHV
significant Inertia xq >…>>
• SynCon: x'q >…>>
x''q >…>>

SynGen

SynCon
might be connected to
G T'd >…≈
flywheel increasing the G
Q
GCB BUSMV GSUT BUSHV T''d >…≈
inertia at rotor shaft
T'q >…≈
Reactances
T''q >…≈
• Generally lower reactances Ta >…≈
Reference: Siemens Energy SGen5/6-100A Series
of SynCon lead to significantly SynCon: ≈ 150 MVA (Apparent Power) cosφ >>
higher short-circuit currents SynGen: ≈ 155 MVA (Apparent Power) J/H ?

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Inertia of Generators
Influence on current constriction
reduced » − 50 %

Inertia
rated: ≈ 5.500 kgm² (Rotor only)
• Most significant influence on
Out-of-Phase faults due to
false synchronization

• Marginal impact on
generator-source faults

• Impact of inertia:
low: » − 50 %
rated: ≈ 5.500 kgm² (Rotor only)
high: » + 50 %

• Inertia influences the instant of

current constriction:
high(er) inertia » late(r) constriction

Reference: Siemens Energy SGen5/6-100A Series

SynCon: ≈ 150 MVA (Apparent Power)
increased » + 50 %
Page 17 Unrestricted | © Siemens 2023 | Expert Workshop Series | 2023-01-31
Inertia of Generators
Influence on short-circuit characteristics / arcing times
reduced » − 50 %

Inertia
rated: ≈ 5.500 kgm² (Rotor only)
• Most significant influence on
Out-of-Phase faults due to
false synchronization

• Marginal impact on
generator-source faults

• Impact of inertia:
low: » − 50 %
rated: ≈ 5.500 kgm² (Rotor only)
high: » + 50 %

Reference: Siemens Energy SGen5/6-100A Series

SynCon: ≈ 150 MVA (Apparent Power)
increased » + 50 %
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Interaction of Generators and System
Influence on short-circuit characteristics / arcing times
negative modification

Interaction at false synchronization

as per project input
• Generator parameters
Time constants
Reactances
Inertia (SynCon)

• System parameters
Impedance ratios:
Grid: 10 » + / − 50 %
Transformer: 45 » + / − 50 %
Short-circuit capability:
Grid: 30 kA » + / − 50 %
High voltage level:
Grid: 400 kV » − / + √

• System parameters may have decisive

Reference: Siemens Energy SGen5/6-100A Series
impact on arcing times SynCon: ≈ 150 MVA (Apparent Power)
Positive modification
Page 19 Unrestricted | © Siemens 2023 | Expert Workshop Series | 2023-01-31
Vacuum Generator Circuit-Breaker for SynCon applications
Key Takeaways

✓ Feasibility studies in order to confirm suitability of VGCB for SynCon applications

✓ SynCon with Lower reactances cause comparatively high short-circuit currents
✓ Rated operation with lagging power factor leading to high currents and low asymmetry
✓ Faults due to false synchronization might result in most or least critical scenarios
✓ Impact of inertia is significant for interaction between system and generator
✓
Page 20 Unrestricted | © Siemens 2023 | Expert Workshop Series | 2023-01-31
Expert
Hong Urbanek
Generator Breaker Systems
Smart Infrastructure

Nonnendammallee 104
13629 Berlin
Germany

Mobil +49 (1520) 2865381

E-Mail hong.urbanek@siemens.com

Page 21 Unrestricted | © Siemens 2023 | Expert Workshop Series | 2023-01-31

Contact
Published by Siemens 2023
Smart Infrastructure
Electrification & Automation
Mozartstraße 31 C
91052 Erlangen
Germany
For the U.S. published by
Siemens Industry Inc.
100 Technology Drive
Alpharetta, GA 30005
United States

© Siemens 2023
Subject to changes and errors. The information given in this
document/video only contains general descriptions and/or performance
features which may not always specifically reflect those described, or which
may undergo modification in the course of further development of the
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are expressly agreed upon in the concluded contract.
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