• About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Events
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Newsletter
SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Events
  • Features
  • Electricity
  • Gas
  • Renewables
    • Batteries & Storage
    • Hydro Power
    • Hydrogen
    • Solar
    • Wind
  • Smart Energy
No Results
View All Results
  • News
    • Events
  • Features
  • Electricity
  • Gas
  • Renewables
    • Batteries & Storage
    • Hydro Power
    • Hydrogen
    • Solar
    • Wind
  • Smart Energy
No Results
View All Results
Home News

SA synchronous condensers to boost renewables

by Lauren DeLorenzo
August 30, 2021
in News, Renewable Energy, Spotlight, Sustainability
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
SA wind farm
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

High-interia synchronous condensers being installed in South Australia are set to allow higher proportions of renewable energy generation and provide critical power system operation services.

The Australian-first system will reduce the role of dispatchable generation for these services.

As the national transmission planner, Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) identified and declared system strength and inertia shortfalls in South Australia.

System strength refers to the ability of the power system to maintain and control the voltage waveform at any given location in the power system, and inertia is a fundamental property of power systems that reduces the rate at which power system frequency changes following a disturbance.

Once the shortfalls were identified, South Australia’s transmission network service provider, ElectraNet, has been working to procure and install four high-inertia synchronous condensers.

AEMO Chief Operations Officer, Michael Gatt, said, “To ensure system strength requirements in South Australia are met on a day-to-day basis, AEMO currently directs gas-fired power stations to dispatch synchronous generation into the market.

“In addition, up to four gas-fired generation units are continually in service to provide system security, supporting the state’s high penetration of non-synchronous generation, wind and rooftop solar PV.”

ElectraNet is now in the process of commissioning the four high-inertia synchronous condensers at Davenport and Robertstown.

Mr Gatt said, “Once the synchronous condensers are commissioned, AEMO will work with ElectraNet to test and monitor the condensers’ performance over several weeks, gradually increasing South Australia’s levels of solar and wind generation by up to 2,500MW.

“This will be a positive outcome for South Australian consumers with access to greater volumes of cost-effective renewable energy.”

Following the testing and successful monitoring, AEMO will transition from the continual operation of four to a minimum of two gas-fired generators to ensure power system security.

In 2020, AEMO declared additional inertia requirements for South Australia and is working through solutions with ElectraNet.

Related Posts

The right digital strategy can drive innovation and long-term resilience in the energy sector. Image: tharathip/stock.adobe.com

Accelerating the transition with digital technologies

by Sarah MacNamara
June 20, 2025

As Australia’s energy system scales up for a net zero future, Autodesk shares key strategies to streamline the sector’s digital...

Standalone power systems are set to play an important role in Australia’s future energy mix. Images: Pacific Energy

Powering ahead with SAPS

by Sarah MacNamara
June 20, 2025

Pacific Energy is helping to shape Australia’s future energy system with its stand-alone power systems, designed and manufactured right here...

Victorian Government introduces legislation to strengthen VicGrid

Victoria moves to strengthen transmission planning

by Sarah MacNamara
June 20, 2025

The Victorian Government has proposed new legislation to further strengthen VicGrid, the body responsible for the planning and development of...

Please login to join discussion

Read our magazine

Join our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.
Energy is a thought-leading, technology-neutral magazine, developed to help the industry answer some of the Energy sector critical questions it is currently grappling with.

Subscribe to our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.

About Energy

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Digital Magazine
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Collection Notice
  • Privacy Policy

Popular Topics

  • News
  • Spotlight
  • Renewable Energy
  • Electricity
  • Projects
  • Networks
  • Sustainability
  • Gas

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited

No Results
View All Results
NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Events
  • Features
  • Electricity
  • Gas
  • Renewables
    • Batteries & Storage
    • Hydro Power
    • Hydrogen
    • Solar
    • Wind
  • Smart Energy
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Newsletter

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited