Session: 08-02. Grid Insights for Electric Power

Submission Number: 175615

Synchronous Condensers and Grid Stability – Another Way Gas Turbines Can Help Decarbonization 

The rapid growth of renewable power projects poses significant challenges for grid stability.  Unlike traditional rotating machines, most renewables rely on inverter-based technology with low inertia and limited fault current capability.  As a result, transmission systems increasingly lack the stabilizing characteristics provided by synchronous generators in the past.

At the same time, rising renewable penetration reduces the operation of dispatchable fossil-based units, further cutting off contributions of inertia and fault current when these generators are offline.  Adding to the challenge, renewables are often sited in remote areas with weak grid conditions, making interconnections more difficult.

Synchronous condensers were originally deployed in the 1950s for power factor correction.  Today, however, they offer a proven solution to the problem stated above.  By modifying curtailed or flexible assets such as gas turbines, these machines can deliver vital grid support even when not generating power.  This approach enhances stability, strengthens weak grids, and provides a lower-carbon pathway for balancing renewable growth.

This paper is intended to be a comprehensive gateway into understanding the rather complex concepts of the power delivery system.  In addition to covering the fundamentals in a simplified manner with analogies to mechanical systems, the concepts will ne illustrated by real life examples.  This should be helpful to gas turbine engineers whose expertise typically stops where the generator connects to the grid.

Presenting Author: Seyfettin Gulen Bechtel

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. John Gülen is an internationally recognized expert in steam and gas turbine combined cycle systems and thermal power plant engineering with numerous patents and publications to his credit. He is the author of Gas Turbines For Electric Power Generation (Cambridge University Press, 2019).
Dr. Gülen's contributions in the field include development of heat balance software at Thermoflow, Inc., design, optimization, and testing of combined cycle systems with FB and H class gas turbines at General Electric, and technology development and assessment including carbon capture and sequestration at Bechtel.
He was named an ASME Fellow in 2015, and a Bechtel Fellow in 2018.
Dr. Gülen received his PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1992) and is a licensed professional engineer.

Authors:

Seyfettin Gulen Bechtel
Joe Catina Synergy Project Solutions, LLC