Why Australia's power grid relies on spinning machines that generate no power
Synchronous condensers, large spinning machines that stabilise the power grid, are being installed across Australia as coal plants retire.
As Australia closes coal-fired power stations, it loses the giant spinning turbines that kept the grid steady. Solar and wind farms can produce power but don't provide the same stabilising effect.
That's where synchronous condensers come in. Synchronous condensers simply spin, absorbing voltage shocks like shock absorbers in a car.
They've been around for more than a century but were largely forgotten as grids matured. Now they're making a comeback.
South Australia has installed four syncons to maintain stability as renewables grew past 75 per cent of its electricity supply. Victoria now has the nation's largest syncon near Ararat.
Queensland is building four, expected to operate by 2029. The challenge is installing these machines before coal plants formally retire to keep the grid strong during the transition.
- past 75 per cent
- South Australia renewable penetration
- 230 volts
- Standard grid voltage
- plus 10 per cent or minus 6 per cent
- Acceptable voltage range
- 2029
- Queensland syncons expected
Why it mattersWithout grid stabilisation, blackouts like South Australia's 2016 statewide outage could recur, knocking out power for days.
AustraliaAustralians rely on syncons being in place before coal plants close; delays risk blackouts during peak demand or unexpected faults.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 15 h ago
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