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FACTS, Synchronous Condensers, and Grid-Forming BESS for High-PV Stability.

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Title: FACTS, Synchronous Condensers, and Grid-Forming BESS for High-PV Stability.
Authors: Pather, Leeshen1 (AUTHOR) patherl@eskom.co.za, Sarma, Rudiren1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Energies (19961073). Apr2026, Vol. 19 Issue 8, p1896. 30p.
Subject Terms: *Reactive power control, *Electric power system stability, *Clean energy, *Scientific observation, *Electric power systems, *Grid energy storage, *Synchronous capacitors
Abstract: The increasing substitution of conventional synchronous generation by photovoltaic resources has introduced significant challenges to voltage stability, reactive power management, and dynamic system performance. This paper compares a STATCOM, an SVC, a synchronous condenser (SC), and a BESS with a grid-forming inverter (BESS-GFM) in the IEEE 9-bus system using DIgSILENT PowerFactory 2023 SP 5. PV generation is ramped up while synchronous output is reduced to effectively emulate the global movement to greater renewable energy generation as part of decarbonization strategies. Performance is assessed using AC load flows, quasi-dynamic time-series load flows, PV curves, and three-phase short-circuit calculations, concentrating on voltage compliance, additional active power headroom, reactive power capability, and LVRT/HVRT tendency. However, existing work is technology-specific or uses inconsistent assumptions and metrics, which prevent a like-for-like comparison of STATCOM, SVC, SC, and BESS-GFM as PV displaces synchronous generation. This paper addresses that gap by applying a single, consistent study framework across all four technologies. The results indicate that the best performing options provide broadly comparable voltage support at the PCC (Point of Common Coupling), the STATCOM and BESS-GFM maintain voltage close to the setpoint through fast, continuous converter-based reactive control, while the synchronous condenser achieves similar regulation with the added benefit of increasing system strength and fault level through synchronous contribution. Overall, the findings support coordinated deployment of continuous VAR control and strength enhancing support to maintain voltage resilience in high-PV networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Database: Energy & Power Source
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Header DbId: enr
DbLabel: Energy & Power Source
An: 193438236
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PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
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  Label: Title
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  Data: FACTS, Synchronous Condensers, and Grid-Forming BESS for High-PV Stability.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pather%2C+Leeshen%22">Pather, Leeshen</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> patherl@eskom.co.za</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sarma%2C+Rudiren%22">Sarma, Rudiren</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Energies+%2819961073%29%22">Energies (19961073)</searchLink>. Apr2026, Vol. 19 Issue 8, p1896. 30p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reactive+power+control%22">Reactive power control</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Electric+power+system+stability%22">Electric power system stability</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Clean+energy%22">Clean energy</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Scientific+observation%22">Scientific observation</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Electric+power+systems%22">Electric power systems</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grid+energy+storage%22">Grid energy storage</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Synchronous+capacitors%22">Synchronous capacitors</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: The increasing substitution of conventional synchronous generation by photovoltaic resources has introduced significant challenges to voltage stability, reactive power management, and dynamic system performance. This paper compares a STATCOM, an SVC, a synchronous condenser (SC), and a BESS with a grid-forming inverter (BESS-GFM) in the IEEE 9-bus system using DIgSILENT PowerFactory 2023 SP 5. PV generation is ramped up while synchronous output is reduced to effectively emulate the global movement to greater renewable energy generation as part of decarbonization strategies. Performance is assessed using AC load flows, quasi-dynamic time-series load flows, PV curves, and three-phase short-circuit calculations, concentrating on voltage compliance, additional active power headroom, reactive power capability, and LVRT/HVRT tendency. However, existing work is technology-specific or uses inconsistent assumptions and metrics, which prevent a like-for-like comparison of STATCOM, SVC, SC, and BESS-GFM as PV displaces synchronous generation. This paper addresses that gap by applying a single, consistent study framework across all four technologies. The results indicate that the best performing options provide broadly comparable voltage support at the PCC (Point of Common Coupling), the STATCOM and BESS-GFM maintain voltage close to the setpoint through fast, continuous converter-based reactive control, while the synchronous condenser achieves similar regulation with the added benefit of increasing system strength and fault level through synchronous contribution. Overall, the findings support coordinated deployment of continuous VAR control and strength enhancing support to maintain voltage resilience in high-PV networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=enr&AN=193438236
RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.3390/en19081896
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 30
        StartPage: 1896
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Reactive power control
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Electric power system stability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Clean energy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Scientific observation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Electric power systems
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Grid energy storage
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Synchronous capacitors
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: FACTS, Synchronous Condensers, and Grid-Forming BESS for High-PV Stability.
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            NameFull: Pather, Leeshen
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            NameFull: Sarma, Rudiren
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            – D: 15
              M: 04
              Text: Apr2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
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              Value: 19961073
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              Value: 19
            – Type: issue
              Value: 8
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Energies (19961073)
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