Synchronous condensers: the economics?

This data-file captures the costs and the economics of installing a synchronous condenser, downstream of a renewable power facility, in order to emulate some of the inertia, reactive power and short circuit power from more traditional, conventional generators.

Based on ten recent examples, which are reviewed in the ‘costs’ tab’, we find that an additional 1.0 – 2.5 c/kWh of costs may be added to the power supplies flowing out of the SC. Although the numbers and relative sizings are debatable.

Notes from technical papers are included in a backup tab. Leading providers of synchronous condensers include the usual suspects of capital goods companies, such as ABB, GE, Siemens, Eaton.

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