2024-10-25
The foundation for the independence of Lithuania's electricity system - the first synchronous condenser has been launched in Lithuania
On Friday, the first of three synchronous condensers being installed by Litgrid, Lithuania's electricity transmission system operator, was launched at the Telšiai transformer substation. The commissioning of the synchronous condensers is the most important step in Lithuania's efforts to consolidate its energy independence in February next year by disconnecting from the Russian electricity system and synchronising with the Continental European grid.
The first synchronous condenser in Lithuania was switched on at the Telšiai transformer substation on Friday and was attended by Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, Minister of Energy Dainius Kreivys, the executives of EPSO-G, Litgrid, and the members of the management boards of the company.
"Lithuania's energy independence has been one of the main priorities of this Government, and we have repeatedly said that we need to take care of our energy system as part of the European Union's energy system, and to disconnect as quickly and smoothly as we can from BRELL, a dubious union that enables a hostile state to control the frequency of our energy system. The launch of the first synchronous condenser in Lithuania is the beginning of a complete disconnection from BRELL. This condenser is one of the key elements of Lithuania's energy system, which will give us the peace of mind that, once we are disconnected from BRELL and connected to the continental European grid, we will have all the tools and necessary means to manage our energy system ourselves," said Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė.
"Synchronous condensers are the most important equipment needed for the Baltic countries to prepare for independent power frequency management. They will ensure the inertia of the power system and allow for quality regulation of grid voltage. With the launch of the synchronous condenser, we are sending a very important message about achieving one of the two goals of energy independence. We manage our own system, it is safe and reliable," said Dainius Kreivys, Minister of Energy.
"The commissioning of the Telšiai synchronous condenser symbolises both the final stage of this complex project and the finishing line in the mega project to synchronise with the continental European grid. The complex logistical operations, the installation and connection work, which required the utmost care, were all successfully completed thanks to the efforts of Litgrid's team and partners. The synchronous condenser is a large and powerful electric motor that increases inertia in the grid and thus slows down the frequency fluctuations, for example, in the event of an unexpected shutdown of a power plant. Therefore, these devices are the first ring of protection to maintain the frequency until other frequency support reserves, such as batteries or generation capacity, are activated," says Rokas Masiulis, CEO of Litgrid.
A synchronous condenser is a powerful, high-mass rotating electric motor connected to the grid that can store rotational energy and be used as a generator if needed. It helps to stabilise the frequency of the power system and increases the dynamic stability of the grid: it reduces voltage drops during short circuits, ensures inertia and compensates for reactive power.
The unit, weighing more than 460 tonnes, was manufactured in Germany and installed in Lithuania by Siemens Energy.
A total of three synchronous condensers will be connected to the transmission grid in Lithuania - at the Neris transformer substation in Vilnius district, Alytus and Telšiai. The Alytus synchronous condenser will be completed this year, Neris - in spring. Three synchronous condensers are planned for each of the Baltic countries.
The installation of synchronous condensers is one of the main projects of the synchronisation programme with the continental European grid.
The operation of the synchronous condenser and the inertia it creates is crucial for the development of a power system where most of the energy is generated by renewable energy power plants, as solar power plants do not create inertia in the grid. Wind and solar power plants do not have the ability to control frequency. Inertia is currently created by legacy power plants with large rotating generators, such as thermal and nuclear power plants. As the number of these power plants decreases, the need for equipment to support inertia increases.
In total, Litgrid has already implemented 8 synchronisation projects. These include the extension of the 330 kV Bitėnai transformer substation, the construction of the 110 kV Pagėgiai-Bitėnai line, the reconstruction of the 330 kV Lietuvos elektrinė-Vilnius line, the extension of the LitPol Link, the test of emergency connection to the continental European grid via the LitPol Link synchronous link, the optimisation of the North-Eastern Lithuanian transmission network, the test of isolated operation in Lithuania and the introduction of an AGV system.
To date, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, together with Russia and Belarus, operate in an IPS/UPS system where the electricity frequency is centrally regulated by Russia. The three Baltic operators have agreed to synchronise with the continental European grid in February 2025.
The synchronisation projects implemented by the Baltic and Polish TSOs are partly financed by the European Union under the Connecting Europe Facility.
