A synchronous condenser (sometimes called a synchronous capacitor or synchronous compensator) is a device identical to a synchronous motor, whose shaft is not connected to anything but spins freely. Its purpose is not to convert electric power to mechanical power or vice versa, but to adjust conditions on the electric power transmission grid. Its field is controlled by a voltage regulator to either generate or absorb reactive power as needed to adjust the grid's voltage, or to improve power factor.
WEG’s Energy Business Unit has recently designed, manufactured, and delivered two 100,000 kVAr synchronous condensers. These condensers will be installed in the town of Santa Vitória do Palmar (City), in the State of Rio Grande do Sul (State) and will contribute to the stability of the electric power generation and transmission system of the Brazil.
To design such a complex machine, WEG applied the most current engineering technologies including electromagnetic and finite element analysis, fluid dynamics, and internal WEG optimization software. This project proves WEG`s leading position in machine resource and development.
Since they are each 7 meters high, 11 meters long, and weigh over 300 tons, special logistics planning was essential during manufacturing and also during transportation to the installation site. The proper planning ensured safe and effective handling of large components within the factory. These large machines were manufactured in a record lead time of only 10 months.
WEG Energy can provide low, medium, and high voltage motors and generators for nearly any customer need. This project (for some of the world’s largest synchronous machines ever made) is a testament of WEG’s engineering ability, manufacturing ability, ingenuity, and the desire to find solutions for customer needs. WEG…Transforming Energy into Solutions.
