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FEBRUARY SECTION MEETING
Synchronous Condensers:
What Are They and Why Are They Important?
Don Brown, PE, NASA Glenn
Tuesday, February 17th, 2026
(Note: change of date)
Social 5:30 PM
Dinner 6:00 PM
Presentation 7:00 PM
Location: Perk Cup Cafe and Grille
561 W Bagley Rd, Berea, OH 44017
Overview of Presentation: The Synchronous Condenser shall be covered in some detail as to what it is how it is constructed and why it is important. How this machine can be used to control power factor and assist with the starting of large electric motors. The types of instrumentation and controls used to control and protect these machines shall be covered as well. Finally come and hear how the Glenn research center is intending to utilize these machines to improve power factor and motor starting performance. Come and hear why the machines are becoming increasingly important in today’s power and distribution world.
Speaker's Biography: Don Brown, PE, is a lifelong resident of northeastern Ohio, and graduated from Fenn College of Engineering of the Cleveland State University BEE class of 85. Don is also a registered engineer (PE) in the state of Ohio. He has worked at Cleveland Machine Controls, and United States Steel Lorain Works prior to working at the NASA Glenn Research Center for the past 38 years in the Facilities Division. He is currently the Electrical Process System Manager responsible for the Large Electrical Motors, and associated motor control systems, and emergency and backup power supply systems including UPS systems and Generators. He is also responsible for managing the Variable Frequency Power system located in the Glenn Research Center Engine Research Building. As a system manager Mr. Brown spearheaded numerous projects to implement solid state excitation systems, automate the variable frequency power system, monitor and control the Power demand via automatic power factor controls to aid with overall Glenn Research Power demands while supporting the research customers.
Mr. Brown has also been very active in the International Society of Automation and Control by serving as the local Cleveland Section education chairman, secretary, president, national delegate, and on several power division standards committees over his 26 years of membership. He has presented several papers on topics such as Solid-State Excitation Control for Synchronous Motors, Using Synchronous Condensers for automatic power factor control, and online condition monitoring of electrical motors at the ISA at various national symposiums and section meetings.
Registration: Sign up HERE. Participants may receive 1 Technical Development Hour (PDH) for attending this session. Please register by 5:00 PM on Monday, February 16th.
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