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Influence of synchronous condensers on small isolated power systems with large amount of renewable energy. A case study of the Lanzarote-Fuerteventura power system

E.J. Medina Domínguez(1), J.F. Medina Padrón(2), J.M. De León Izquier(1)

1. Renewable Energies Department, Canary Islands Institute of Technology (ITC), Santa Lucía de Tirajana, Gran Canaria, Spain
2. University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC)
Campus de Tafira, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

2026-02-15

This work studies the influence of synchronous condensers (SC) on small, isolated power systems with high levels of wind power, trying to quantify it using the rate of change of frequency, frequd minimum voltage. Likewise, different values of the inertia constantof the SCs were studied.
To this end, a model of the Lanzarote-Fuerteventura electric power system is used, which has proven to be a useful representation of this type of power system. Two SCs have been modelled, connected to the power system. They were modelled taking into account the characteristics of one SC that will be installed in the Lanzarote-Fuerteventura power system, according to the electric transmission network planning.
A transient stability analysis was conducted, where the considered disturbance was the disconnection of generation power, simulated by the disconnection of a conventional generation unit.
Results suggest significant, positive effects on the system frequency and voltage values of the transmission buses throughout the small, isolated power system. In this way SCs could contribute to both the transient stability and the integration of the renewable energy, in small, isolated power systems

Key words: Small isolated power systems, synchronous condenser, wind generation, inertial response, transient stability.

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