Synchronous Condenser Market Expected to Reach $751.0 Million by 2030

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research titled, “Synchronous Condenser Market by Type, Cooling Type, Starting Method, Reactive Power Rating, and End User: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021–2030,” the synchronous condenser market size was valued at $568.9 million in 2020, and is projected to reach $751.0 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 2.8% from 2021 to 2030.Synchronous condenser is the device used to generate or absorb reactive power as per the need for stabilization of electric utilities. It is an alternative to capacitor bank to correct the power factor in power grids. The installation of synchronous condensers in electric utilities and industrial applications is same as of large electric motors. During short circuits or fluctuating loads, the energy stored in the rotor of synchronous condensers is used to stabilize power system by compensating reactive power and correcting power factor of grid system.

Significant development of the end-use industries such as oil & gas, telecom, mining, and healthcare is fueling the growth of the synchronous condenser market, owing to rise in demand for reactive power to compensate lagging power factor created by inductive loads in the abovementioned industries. In addition, increase in demand for synchronous condenser for grid stabilization applications from electric utilities such as power generation plants, transmission, distribution, and other utilities in developing economies is driving the growth of the market, globally. However, availability of alternatives and high cost associated with synchronous condenser are the key factors hampering the growth of the global synchronous condenser market in the upcoming years.

Depending on the type, the new segment garnered the highest synchronous condenser market share of about 78.6% in 2020, and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. This is attributed to rise in demand for reactive power compensation from electric utilities such as transmission system, power plants, and other industrial applications. In addition, advantages associated with synchronous condenser such as power factor correction, reactive power compensation, grid stability, and voltage regulation are anticipated to fuel the global synchronous condenser market growth of in the coming years.

On the basis of cooling type, the air-cooled segment acquired the largest share in 2020, in terms of revenue, and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. This is attributed to rise in demand for synchronous condensers from high-voltage DC system, wind/solar power generations, synchronous condenser upgrading, and other reactive power compensation applications in electric utilities. One of the major advantages with using air cooled system in synchronous condenser is simple operation and maintenance. This is further expected to fuel the market growth of this segment in the upcoming years.

On the basis of starting method, static frequency converter segment held the largest share in 2020, in terms of revenue, and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to rapid expansion of heavy industries & projects such as dams, power plants, power grids, refineries, and mills . In addition, rise in hydropower projects across the globe act as the key driving force of the static frequency converter-based synchronous condenser in the coming years.

On the basis of end user, the electric utilities segment garnered the largest share in 2020, in terms of revenue, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.6%, owing to rise in demand for electricity & related products, which, in turn, fuels the demand for grid infrastructure. Moreover, rapid penetration of electric vehicles led to increase in charging stations, which acts as a key growth factor and creates the new opportunities for renewable power integration in charging station. The synchronous condenser can be used in these stations to improve power factor by absorbing or generating reactive power as per capacity and requirement in the station. This is further anticipated to propel the demand for synchronous condensers in upcoming years.

On the basis of reactive power rating, up to 100 MVAR segment dominated in 2020, in terms of revenue, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.5%. This is attributed to rise in demand for power factor correction and reactive power compensation due to multiple inductive loads present in the industrial applications. In addition, increased short circuit Mega volt ampere (MVA), high response excitation system, high overload capability, prolonged service life, and enhanced reliability are the key advantages of using synchronous condenser in utility applications which is expected to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Region wise, the market is analyzed across four major regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. Europe garnered the dominant share in 2020, and anticipated to maintain this synchronous condenser market trend during the forecast period. This is attributed to numerous factors such as presence of huge consumer base, rapid expansion of the renewable energy sector, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems, and the existence of key players in the region. Moreover, presence of the countries such as Germany, the UK, France and Spain is anticipated to contribute toward the growth of the synchronous condenser market in Europe.

The global synchronous condenser market analysis covers in-depth information of the major industry participants. The key players operating and profiled in the report include ABB, Ltd., Andritz, Eaton Corporation Plc, Fuji Electric, General Electric, Ideal Electric Power Co., Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Siemens Energy, Voith GmbH & Co. KGaA, and WEG Group.
Other players operating in the synchronous condenser market are Toshiba Corporation, Brush Group, Sustainable Power Systems, Inc., Power Systems & Controls, Inc., Ansaldo Energia, and Modern Power Systems.

COVID-19 impact on the market

Lockdown imposed due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic resulted in temporary ban on import & export and manufacturing & processing activities across various industries and electrical utilities, which decreased the demand for synchronous condenser from these consumers. In addition, halt in building & construction of new electric utility infrastructures, renewable power plants, grid network, and other power plants, owing to unavailability of workers and increase in demand–supply gap are projected to hamper the market growth during the pandemic period. This resulted in decline in market growth in the second, third, and fourth quarters of 2020. However, the synchronous condenser market is expected to recover by the first quarter of 2021, as COVID-19 vaccination has begun in various economies across the globe, which is expected to improve the global economy.

Key Findings Of The Study

• In 2020, the new segment accounted for about 78.6% of the share in the global synchronous condenser market, and is expected to maintain its dominance till the end of the synchronous condenser market forecast period.
• In 2020, the air-cooled synchronous condenser segment is accounted for 55.7% market share, and is anticipated to grow at a rate of 2.5% in terms of revenue.
• In 2020, the electrical utilities segment accounted for 85.7% market share, and is anticipated to grow at a rate of 2.6% in terms of revenue.
• Hydrogen-cooled is the rapidly growing segment in the global synchronous condenser market, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% during 2021–2030.
• Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest rate, registering a CAGR of 3.9%, throughout the forecast period.
• In 2020, Europe dominated the global synchronous condenser market with more than 35.8% of the share, in terms of revenue.