POWER-GEN Asia 2018

Sessions Speakers Exhibitors Products Press Releases Floor Plan Buzz

Synchronous Rotating Equipment as Backbone for Renewables (Room Garuda 10B, 1st Floor)

Continuously growing renewables share has a significant impact on synchronous power production equipment and also on the transmission system operation. The consequences are multifaceted: remaining fossil units are highly cycled and the energy flow in the transmission system is complex due to renewables dependencies on weather, day time and renewables location. At the same time the stability of a converter dominated transmission system is challenging. The frequency and voltage control as well as fault ride through capability require installation of new additional equipment for stable and safe grid operation. The synchronous generators are simple and reliable grid stabilizers with unique capabilities compared to power electronics based technologies: Short circuit power enhancement in weak grids, synchronous inertial response, fault ride through capability, short term overload capability as defined per generator standards, grid re-build capability after blackout with driving engine, back-up power supply with driving engine and synchronous generators don’t produce harmonics The specific loss evaluation during steady state operation and the maintenance cost are the financial key buying factors to consider for the selection of suitable rotating equipment. Enhanced design features and condition based maintenance approach are the enablers to extend the service intervals and cost. The aspect of the right location of the stabilization equipment close to large PV and wind farms or HVDC-links in oftentimes difficult environment in regards to transportation and maintenance shouldn’t be underestimated. The extended contribution to grid stability can be achieved by different configurations of synchronous condensers with fly wheels, back-up drives and optionally combined with storage equipment. The experience from European power market, benefits of rotating grid stabilizers and appropriate products will be presented in this paper.