Dynamic Performance Comparison of Synchronous Condenser and SVC

Abstract

In this paper, a comparison of the dynamic performance between a conventional synchronous condenser, a superconducting synchronous condenser, and a static Var compensator (SVC) is made in a grid setup by simulating different cases that affect the performance of reactive power compensation. The results show that the SVC injects more reactive power and has a better dynamic performance during faults that cause a moderate or minor voltage drop on its terminals, such as single-phase to ground faults in weak grids. The synchronous condensers, on the other hand, bring the voltage to the nominal value quicker and show a better dynamic performance for severe faults such as three phase to ground faults in stiff grids. The superconducting synchronous condenser injects up to 45% more reactive power compared to the conventional synchronous condenser during a nearby three phase to ground fault.