"Super" reactive power for the power system through SuperVAr/spl trade/ high temperature superconductor dynamic synchronous condensers

American Superconductor's (AMSC) high temperature superconductor (HTS) SuperVAr/spl trade/ dynamic synchronous condensers have a small foot print, are readily transportable, and are expected to be a very economic option for providing peak and dynamic reactive compensation to a power system. SuperVAr machines are also inherently stable to close in faults, and can provide up to twice its nominal rating for about one minute (peak rating) during depressed voltage events. Last, but not least, SuperVAr machines use less than half of the energy of a conventional synchronous condenser and about the same amount of energy as a modern flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) device consumes. It is expected to be highly reliable. The first SuperVAr machine is being operated at a TVA substation serving an arc furnace where it is being tested for its' ability to handle flicker. This location will also expose the machine to a large number of transients providing an excellent accelerated age test of the device.