Optimal Synchronous Condenser Placement in Renewable Energy Bases to Meet Renewable Energy Transfer Capacity Requirements

The large-scale integration of renewable energy and the high penetration of power electronic devices have led to a significant reduction in system inertia and short-circuit capacity. This is particularly manifested in the form of insufficient multiple renewable energy stations short-circuit ratio (MRSCR) and transient overvoltage issues following severe disturbances such as AC and DC faults, which greatly limit the power transfer capability of large renewable energy bases. To effectively mitigate these challenges, this paper proposes an optimal synchronous condenser deployment method tailored for large-scale renewable energy bases. The proposed mathematical model supports a hybrid centralized and distributed configuration of synchronous condensers with various capacities and manufacturers while considering practical engineering constraints such as short-circuit ratio, transient overvoltage, and available bays in renewable energy stations. A practical decomposition and iterative computation strategy is introduced to reduce the computational burden of transient stability simulations. Case studies based on a real-world system verify the effectiveness of the proposed method in determining the optimal configuration of synchronous condensers. The results demonstrate significant improvements in grid strength (MRSCR) and suppression of transient overvoltages, thereby enhancing the stability and transfer capability of renewable energy bases in weak-grid environments.