DTS: An Innovative Synchronization Method for Synchronous Condenser with the Electrical Grid

Abstract This paper presents an original deterministic approach to improve the success rate of the synchronization process of a synchronous condenser. In fact, the start-up process of a synchronous condenser cannot rely on the presence of a supply system to regulate its speed during the synchronization process, as happens with traditional synchronous generators. A static frequency converter is used to start the machine, but it should be disconnected before the grid synchronization to avoid damage, making the process uncontrollable. The proposed method aims to analytically determine the optimal frequency and phase angle to disconnect the converter to ensure synchronization with the grid within proper thresholds. The accuracy of the method is confirmed by a comparison with on-field recording of real synchronous condenser start-up processes. This procedure enables significantly reducing the frequency threshold for the synchronization so to limit the thermal and mechanical stresses of the machine and to increase its lifecycle.