In modern power systems isolated generators are very rare. Power systems are highly interconnected and many generators share the load. The first problem of an engineer is connecting a synchronous generator on an existing bus.
Generator 1
System Load
Synchronizing lamps
Generator 2
3 phase switch
Figure 4-1
Recap: Phase sequence must be the same Voltages must have same magnitude Frequency must be the same Phasors must be aligned
Note that in modern installations a synchroscope is used. The synchroscope will instruct the governor of the prime mover to set the speed, and instruct the exciter to produce a voltage. When the phasors are detected within 5 degrees match, the synchroscope will close the switch.
GD =
[4-1]
Since the power is related to the speed, a very useful formula is used as: Poutput = S p ( f nl f sys ) [4-2]
Where: Sp is the slope of the curve in kW/Hz fnl is the no-load frequency of the generator fsys is the operating frequency of the system This shows that the power generated by a generator is a function of its frequency (or speed).
Example: a single generators characteristic is 1MW/Hz and its no-load frequency is 61Hz. What is the load connected when the bus frequency is 60Hz?
Parallel Operation of Generators
If one connects another 1000kW load to the bus what is the frequency drop?
f sys = f nl
P 2000kW = 61 = 59 Hz Sp 1000kW / Hz
2000kW =
>>
f nl = 62 Hz
and the governor has to increase its no-load set point to 62Hz
If two generator characteristics are shown, and they are connected in parallel on the same bus, they must have the same frequency of operation, hence the operating point. In figure4-3 we can see that Generator A delivers twice the power of generator B.
frq
Fixed Frequency
PA
PB
Figure 4-3 In order to change the power in a generator for a given frequency of operation, one has to change the prime mover (change the value of the no-load frequency, or set point). Changing the governor will cause the characteristic to move up and down with the same slope. NOTE: if the governor and exciter are unchanged, any change of speed of one generator will cause a circulating current between the 2 machines in such a way as to oppose the change, hence it is called a synchronizing torque. This torque can be enormous and will always make sure that the machines are in synchronism (same frequency).
E jXI I V Pactive
Figure 4-4 The excitation remains constant and the prime mover increases the torque, hence the power output increases
E
Figure 4-5 It can be seen that as the power increases at the prime mover the internal angle increases and therefore I increases also. At the same time the current starts to lead, which means that the generator also provides excess of reactive power. If one wants to bring the power factor back (without touching the prime mover), one would have to decrease the excitation accordingly as shown in the next figure:
jXI I V
P active NEW
Figure 4-6
EXCITER CHARACTERISTIC
In a generator connected to an infinite bus, one can see from the previous figures that the magnitude of the armature current varies extensively as the excitation-power operating point varies. It is important to make sure that the generator does not exceed the rated values during an operating point setting. Figure 4-7 illustrates this point. Assume an operation under unity power factor with a power of P0 and excitation E0, and rated current I0. The locus of the end of jXI must be on the circle as shown.
E0 (1') E1 (1) jXI 0 P0 P1
I0 I1
Figure 4-7 If the governor changes to a new setting, say decrease its mechanical power, if one wants to maintain rated current, there would be 2 operating points (1) and (1). (1) corresponds to a lagging current (inductive load), the other to a leading current. Hence the exciter has to assume the corresponding excitation to maintain stability. It is important to understand that the operating point of a generator has 2 control parameters: excitation (provided by the exciter) and real power (provided by the prime mover) = 2 degrees of freedom. However the operating point is also defined by the load as another degree of freedom: either PF, or magnitude of the current can be chosen.
OPERATING CONSTRAINTS
TRANSIENTS Due to mechanical parameters (windage, friction and inertia), a sudden increase of torque will usually produce an oscillating response of the shaft as illustrated in figure 4-8
200
180
160
140
120
100 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 t(sec) 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Figure 4-8 Also due to electrical parameters, if a sudden torque is applied to the prime mover, the currents will oscillate similarly. In order to have a damping of these currents, one adds a cage of conducting short circuited windings called Damper Windings which is basically a squirrel cage. Any time the rotor comes out of synchronism with the bus frequency, currents will be induced in the squirrel cage (function of the slip) and these currents in turn will create a torque which opposes the cause, hence will damp the oscillations.
CAPABILITY CURVES
Stator and Rotor heat limits, together with external limits on a synchronous generator can be expressed in graphical forms. The capability diagram is a plot of the S=P+jQ complex power. It is assumed that V is constant fixed by the bus voltage.
Figure 4-9