Abstract:The reactive power consumed by converters during operation is mainly provided by AC filters and shunt capacitors. As a supporting reactive power compensation device in HVDC converter stations, synchronous condensers mainly provide dynamic reactive power support. However, at present, synchronous condensers generally operate independently and do not participate in the steady-state reactive power control of converter stations. As a result, under steady-state conditions, the reactive power demand of converter stations is entirely supplied by the associated AC filters (including shunt capacitors). To address this issue, this paper proposes a strategy for synchronous condensers to participate in steady-state reactive power control of UHVDC converter stations. The constraint conditions for synchronous condenser participation, the connection configuration, and the interactive data exchange between the synchronous condenser and the converter station are clearly defined. The coordinated control strategy for integrating synchronous condensers into the station’s reactive power control framework is elaborated in detail. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. The findings show that the strategy can dynamically reduce reactive power exchange with the system, achieve reactive power balance, decrease the switching frequency of AC filters, and thereby extend their service life. Finally, potential directions for further optimization of the current control strategy are discussed.