Superconductor synchronous condenser for reactive power support in an electric grid

High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) SuperVAR dynamic synchronous condensers (DSC) developed by American Superconductor have a small foot print, are readily transportable, and are expected to be an economic option for providing peak and dynamic reactive compensation to a power system. HTS DSC machines are also inherently stable to close in faults and can provide up to twice their nominal rating for about one minute (peak rating) during depressed voltage events. Last, but not least, HTS DSC machines use less than half of the energy of a conventional synchronous condenser and about the same amount of energy as a modern Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) device consumes. It is expected to be highly reliable. The first HTS DSC machine is being operated at an arc furnace where it is being tested for its ability to mitigate flicker and provide dynamic power factor compensation. This location also exposes the machine to a large number of transients providing an excellent accelerated age test of the device. This paper describes features and test results of the HTS DSC.