On the Choice of System Strength Metrics for the Allocation and Sizing of Synchronous Condensers in Power Grids

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Date

2025

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

IEEE-Inst Electrical Electronics Engineers Inc

Abstract

The integration of high levels of inverter-based generation (IBG) into power grids requires meticulous planning, especially as IBGs lack the inherent short-circuit capacity of conventional generators, potentially weakening system strength. To mitigate this, synchronous condensers (SCs) are deployed in weak areas to enhance fault current and voltage support. Traditional SC allocation methods use the short-circuit ratio (SCR) as a key metric, but this may not account for control interactions in grids with significant IBG penetration. This study compares two approaches for optimizing SC placement and sizing: SCR-based and network-response short-circuit ratio (NRSCR)-based, a metric that captures dynamic IBG interactions. Applying a genetic algorithm (GA) to the Nigerian power grid as a case study, the SCR-based approach identified two critical points of interconnection (PoIs) requiring 68 MVA of SC capacity, while the NRSCR-based method identified four PoIs, requiring a total of 674 MVA. Although the NRSCR-based method significantly improved system performance during faults-offering faster voltage recovery post-fault and higher fault current contributions-it resulted in a cost increase of approximately 7 times. This highlights the trade-off between cost and performance, underscoring the need for utilities to balance economic and technical considerations when deploying SCs in IBG-dominated grids.

Description

Chakraborty, Suprava/0000-0001-8900-7724; Agyekum, Ephraim Bonah/0000-0002-6947-4349

Keywords

Control Interactions, Synchronous Condensers, Inverter-Based Generation, System Strength, Short-Circuit Ratio, Control Interactions, Synchronous Condensers, Inverter-Based Generation, System Strength, Short-Circuit Ratio

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WoS Q

Q2

Scopus Q

Q1

Source

Volume

13

Issue

Start Page

83781

End Page

83793