Efficiency Analysis of The Synchronous Condenser Operating Mode in Hydroelectric Power Plants in Terms of Water Use

Murat Bahar; Zeki Argunhan; Emin El

doi:10.17678/beuscitech.1830218

Efficiency Analysis of The Synchronous Condenser Operating Mode in Hydroelectric Power Plants in Terms of Water Use

Abstract

Global climate change and the resulting water scarcity necessitate innovative and efficient approaches in the operation of hydroelectric power plants. Although active electricity generation may come to a halt as water levels drop to critical thresholds during drought periods, the potential of these facilities to contribute to grid stability through the synchronous condenser (SC) mode persists. In this study, the effects of operating the four electricity generation units at the Alpaslan-1 Hydroelectric Power Plant in SC mode on water usage and energy efficiency were analyzed experimentally. During the test process, the units were operated in SC mode for a total of 172 minutes; the facility drew 72 MVAr of reactive power from the grid without performing active electricity generation, thereby providing a total of 52.54 MVArh of reactive energy support to the system. By evaluating the 11-year hydrological data of the plant covering the years 2014-2024, drought periods were determined according to the long-term average, and the strategic advantages of operating the plant in SC mode during these times were demonstrated. According to the findings, a water saving of 575443.2 m³ was achieved in the reservoir thanks to this short-term operation of 172 minutes. It has been calculated that the approximately 115.4 MWh of energy that this saved water would generate if converted to active production would be sufficient to meet the annual electricity needs of 38 households. Furthermore, it was determined that 91.37 MVArh of reactive energy could be provided to the grid for every 1 hm³ of water retained in the reservoir due to the SC mode in drought years. These results demonstrate that hydroelectric power plants, even during periods of water scarcity, can act as strategic "reactive power centers" rather than remaining idle, thereby contributing highly efficiently to grid optimization and long-term sustainable water management.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The authors declare that this study complies with research and publication ethics. This study does not require an ethics committee approval as it does not involve any human or animal subjects, surveys, or clinical data. Furthermore, there is no conflict of interest between the authors.

Thanks

This study has been produced from the master's thesis studies of Murat BAHAR. The authors would like to thank the Operations Directorate of the Alpaslan-1 Hydroelectric Power Plant, The Electricity Generation Corporation, for the support provided during this study

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Hydroelectric Energy Systems, Energy Generation, Conversion and Storage (Excl. Chemical and Electrical)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Murat Bahar
0009-0004-3872-8790
Türkiye

Zeki Argunhan
0000-0002-3349-3409
Türkiye

Emin El ^*
0000-0001-6596-9654
Türkiye

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

November 25, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 24, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.17678/beuscitech.1830218

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA76BE93GL

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Bahar, M., Argunhan, Z., & El, E. (2026). Efficiency Analysis of The Synchronous Condenser Operating Mode in Hydroelectric Power Plants in Terms of Water Use. Bitlis Eren University Journal of Science and Technology, 16(1), 32-42. https://doi.org/10.17678/beuscitech.1830218

AMA

1.Bahar M, Argunhan Z, El E. Efficiency Analysis of The Synchronous Condenser Operating Mode in Hydroelectric Power Plants in Terms of Water Use. Bitlis Eren University Journal of Science and Technology. 2026;16(1):32-42. doi:10.17678/beuscitech.1830218

Chicago

Bahar, Murat, Zeki Argunhan, and Emin El. 2026. “Efficiency Analysis of The Synchronous Condenser Operating Mode in Hydroelectric Power Plants in Terms of Water Use”. Bitlis Eren University Journal of Science and Technology 16 (1): 32-42. https://doi.org/10.17678/beuscitech.1830218.

EndNote

Bahar M, Argunhan Z, El E (June 1, 2026) Efficiency Analysis of The Synchronous Condenser Operating Mode in Hydroelectric Power Plants in Terms of Water Use. Bitlis Eren University Journal of Science and Technology 16 1 32–42.

IEEE

[1]M. Bahar, Z. Argunhan, and E. El, “Efficiency Analysis of The Synchronous Condenser Operating Mode in Hydroelectric Power Plants in Terms of Water Use”, Bitlis Eren University Journal of Science and Technology, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 32–42, June 2026, doi: 10.17678/beuscitech.1830218.

ISNAD

Bahar, Murat - Argunhan, Zeki - El, Emin. “Efficiency Analysis of The Synchronous Condenser Operating Mode in Hydroelectric Power Plants in Terms of Water Use”. Bitlis Eren University Journal of Science and Technology 16/1 (June 1, 2026): 32-42. https://doi.org/10.17678/beuscitech.1830218.

JAMA

1.Bahar M, Argunhan Z, El E. Efficiency Analysis of The Synchronous Condenser Operating Mode in Hydroelectric Power Plants in Terms of Water Use. Bitlis Eren University Journal of Science and Technology. 2026;16:32–42.

MLA

Bahar, Murat, et al. “Efficiency Analysis of The Synchronous Condenser Operating Mode in Hydroelectric Power Plants in Terms of Water Use”. Bitlis Eren University Journal of Science and Technology, vol. 16, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 32-42, doi:10.17678/beuscitech.1830218.

Vancouver

1.Murat Bahar, Zeki Argunhan, Emin El. Efficiency Analysis of The Synchronous Condenser Operating Mode in Hydroelectric Power Plants in Terms of Water Use. Bitlis Eren University Journal of Science and Technology. 2026 Jun. 1;16(1):32-4. doi:10.17678/beuscitech.1830218