Missing Puzzle ??Conversion Generator to Synchronous Condenser !
Jamshed Saleem DaulatZai ??♂?(EE,MEng,MBA)
Senior Engineer Shift In-charge ,? Lighting?? the World ?? with Brilliance
Converting an existing synchronous generator into a synchronous condenser is a process that can provide an economical source of reactive power capacity. This conversion is often considered when gas and steam power generation plants approach the end of their operational life.
The conversion process involves several steps:
After the conversion, the resulting synchronous condenser operates at nearly zero real power, but can produce or consume reactive power commensurate with the generator’s capability curve. This can help maintain grid voltage at or near the plant interconnection point to ensure grid reliability.
The benefits of this conversion include:
However, it’s important to note that each plant will have a unique design and layout, so a custom-engineered solution is required for each conversion. Companies like GE and Siemens offer solutions to convert existing synchronous generators into synchronous condensers.
REAL EXAMPLE - MISSING PUZZLE
GE has converted a 625 MWe generator retired from a coal-fired plant to a synchronous condenser of over 500 MVAr, and such conversions, powered from the grid, are often cost-effective.?After the 1200 MWe Biblis a nuclear power plant in Germany was retired in 2011 its generator was converted to a synchronous condenser.
This now regulates the reactive power from - 400 up to +900 MVAr, which is made available to grid operator in situations of low or high grid voltage.
Converting an obsolete synchronous generator to a synchronous condenser is a viable, economical alternative to retiring the unit. As the condenser is a rotating device, it can also provide short circuit support in addition to reactive power capacity.