Article published in Magazine Canal Solar – Vol. 7, No. 1, February/2026
The Brazilian electricity sector is undergoing a period of structural transformation, in which the rapid expansion of wind and photovoltaic plants, highly positive for decarbonization and a globally recognized example, brings significant technical challenges to the operation of the SIN (National Interconnected System).
The technical challenge today is that, unlike large hydroelectric and thermal power plants, renewable sources use electronic inverters that do not offer the natural mechanical inertia of large rotating machines.
The result is that when abrupt variations occur in renewable energy generation – such as a drop in solar production at nightfall or a sudden cessation of winds – the system becomes more vulnerable to frequency and voltage fluctuations, especially on days of low consumption, causing a high-risk imbalance.
A classic example of how this phenomenon can reach alarming proportions was the situation faced by the ONS (National System Operator) on Father's Day 2025.
At that time, faced with the threat of a total collapse in the electricity supply, it was necessary to practically "shut down" the entire flow of solar and wind power generation, since the energy supply was far greater than the rather mild load of a Sunday.
To mitigate the increased risks posed by a scenario of this magnitude and to minimize drastic measures such as curtailment (forced limitation of renewable generation), the ONS (National System Operator) and EPE (Energy Research Company) have intensified planning efforts for the installation of synchronous compensators.
According to data from the ONS (National System Operator), as of November 2025 there were 55 synchronous compensators in operation in the Basic Network, the most recent of which at the time had been installed at the Feijó Substation in Acre in July of that year..
Read the full article in the complete edition of the magazine.
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