ElectraNet Commissions 250 Mvar Synchronous Condenser and 300 MW Grid-Forming Battery at Blyth West Substation

Enabling South Australia to operate reliably with 100% inverter-based renewables without running fossil-fuel generators, ElectraNet has energized a 250 Mvar ...

ElectraNet Commissions 250 Mvar Synchronous Condenser and 300 MW Grid-Forming Battery at Blyth West Substation

Enabling South Australia to operate reliably with 100% inverter-based renewables without running fossil-fuel generators, ElectraNet has energized a 250 Mvar high-inertia synchronous condenser coupled with a 300 MW / 1,200 MWh grid-forming BESS at Blyth West 275 kV Substation.

Restoring Physical Inertia and Fault Current to Islanded Grids

With solar and wind generating more than 100% of South Australia’s electricity demand on an increasing number of days, transmission system operator ElectraNet faced severe system strength deficiencies. The new synchronous condenser provides 1,750 MWs of physical rotational inertia and 1,100 MVA of short-circuit fault duty.

Equipped with static frequency converters (SFC) for smooth start-up and water-cooled lube oil circuits, the machine anchors local system voltage and provides instantaneous fault clearing capability for distance protection relays on the 275 kV network.

Hybridizing Rotating Mass with Advanced Grid-Forming Inverters

Adjacent to the synchronous machine, the 300 MW / 1,200 MWh battery energy storage system utilizes virtual synchronous machine (VSM) algorithms to synthesize voltage waveforms within 5 milliseconds of transmission trip events.

The hybrid installation successfully supported the South Australian grid through seven continuous days of zero synchronous thermal generator operation, establishing an international benchmark for decarbonized grid engineering.