4 ms·

I don't see how it implies that. In a DC power supply, for example, you can stick a regular capacitor (condenser) in parallel with the DC output and it will smo

I don't see how it implies that. In a DC power supply, for example, you can stick a regular capacitor (condenser) in parallel with the DC output and it will smooth out fluctuations in the voltage. The energy stored in that capacitor isn't available for you to use. You need the capacitor to stay charged so it can maintain the target voltage level. The only way to get a capacitor to be at a certain voltage is to charge it. This is evidently something similar but for AC. It stabilizes the AC voltage / phase because its momentum pushes back against whatever tries to disturb it.

formerly_proven 3y ago
The flywheel is directly connected to the synchronous condenser's rotor, and that rotor is locked to the grid's frequency. The grid's frequency must be maintained within a very narrow range (for a variety of reasons), so the actual speed difference of the flywheel between "full" and "the grid is shutting down" is very small and so most of the energy cannot be put into the grid. This is why flywheel storage uses variable-frequency drive systems; to be able to pull energy out of the flywheel over the entire range of full-speed to ~standstill.
- adrianmonk 3y ago
  Oh, I see now. We've been talking past each other. You mean, "Though 97% of that energy isn’t available to the grid COMMA as the name synchronous condenser implies." You don't mean (as I read it before), "Though 97% of that energy isn’t available to the grid, and the name synchronous condenser implies the energy is available."
fuzzfactor 3y ago
>The energy stored in that capacitor isn't available for you to use. Well, it's only available to use when the power fails or something like that. When you first power up, it requires a finite amount of time for the storage/filter capacitor(s) to charge up to their full design voltage before your circuit really works as intended. Later when you disconnect incoming power, the stored energy from the capacitors does continue to supply DC power to your circuit for a finite amount of time afterward, at declining voltage as the capacitors are drained. >This is evidently something similar but for AC. It stabilizes the AC voltage / phase because its momentum pushes back against whatever tries to disturb it. Yes, I think this is it. Seems to me these massive AC stabilizers would help maintain frequency and voltage during unavoidable events where the grid dropped below nominal, by more gracefully dropping when necessary as the grid sucks momentum from the stabilizer down to its own level at the time. And if power completely failed it should end up in a more graceful "wind-down" as all momentum for all stabilizers require a finite amount of time to come to a complete halt, letting whatever limited amount of stored energy they contain be delivered to the grid until there is no more.

formerly_proven 3y ago

The flywheel is directly connected to the synchronous condenser's rotor, and that rotor is locked to the grid's frequency. The grid's frequency must be maintained within a very narrow range (for a variety of reasons), so the actual speed difference of the flywheel between "full" and "the grid is shutting down" is very small and so most of the energy cannot be put into the grid. This is why flywheel storage uses variable-frequency drive systems; to be able to pull energy out of the flywheel over the entire range of full-speed to ~standstill.

adrianmonk 3y ago
Oh, I see now. We've been talking past each other. You mean, "Though 97% of that energy isn’t available to the grid COMMA as the name synchronous condenser implies." You don't mean (as I read it before), "Though 97% of that energy isn’t available to the grid, and the name synchronous condenser implies the energy is available."

fuzzfactor 3y ago

>The energy stored in that capacitor isn't available for you to use. Well, it's only available to use when the power fails or something like that. When you first power up, it requires a finite amount of time for the storage/filter capacitor(s) to charge up to their full design voltage before your circuit really works as intended. Later when you disconnect incoming power, the stored energy from the capacitors does continue to supply DC power to your circuit for a finite amount of time afterward, at declining voltage as the capacitors are drained. >This is evidently something similar but for AC. It stabilizes the AC voltage / phase because its momentum pushes back against whatever tries to disturb it. Yes, I think this is it. Seems to me these massive AC stabilizers would help maintain frequency and voltage during unavoidable events where the grid dropped below nominal, by more gracefully dropping when necessary as the grid sucks momentum from the stabilizer down to its own level at the time. And if power completely failed it should end up in a more graceful "wind-down" as all momentum for all stabilizers require a finite amount of time to come to a complete halt, letting whatever limited amount of stored energy they contain be delivered to the grid until there is no more.