Abstract – This paper discusses power system II. BASIS FOR STEADY-STATE STABILITY
instability and the importance of fast fault clearing
performance to aid in reliable production of power. In an interconnected power system, the rotors of each
Explanation is provided regarding small signal stability, synchronous machine in the system rotate at the same
high impedance transmission lines, line loading, and high average electrical speed. The power delivered by the
gain, fast acting excitation systems. Transient stability is generator to the power system is equal to the mechanical
discussed, including synchronizing and damping power applied by the prime mover, neglecting losses. During
torques. The power angle curve is used to illustrate how steady state operation, the electrical power out balances the
fault clearing time and high initial response excitation mechanical power in. The mechanical power input to the shaft
systems can affect transient stability. from the prime mover is the product of torque and speed, PM
The term, “power system stability” has become = TMω. The mechanical torque is in the direction of rotation.
increasingly popular in generation and transmission. The
An electrical torque is applied to the shaft by the generator
sudden requirement for power system stabilizers has
and is in a direction opposite of rotation as seen in Figure 1
created confusion about their applicability, purpose, and below.
benefit to the system. This paper discusses the
fundamentals of the power system stabilizer and its
effectiveness. In today’s paper industry, power system
stabilizers are being applied on larger machines in the
Northwest United States and Canada.
Index Terms—Stability, voltage regulator, pole slip,
excitation, synchronous machine, transient stability where PM = Mechanical power
ω = speed
I. INTRODUCTION Te = Electrical torque
Fig. 1. Mechanical and Electrical Torque Applied to the Shaft
In the 1950s and into the 1960s, many power generating
plants were equipped with continuously acting automatic
When the system is disturbed due to a fault or the load is
voltage regulators. As the number of power plants with changed quickly, the electrical power out of the machine
automatic voltage regulators grew, it became apparent that changes. The electrical power out of the machine can change
the high performance of these voltage regulators had a rapidly, but the mechanical power into the machine is
destabilizing effect on the power system. Power oscillations of relatively slow to change. Because of this difference in speed
small magnitude and low frequency often persisted for long of response, there exists a temporary difference in the
periods of time. In some cases, this presented a limitation on balance of power. This power unbalance causes a difference
the amount of power able to be transmitted within the system. in torque applied to the shaft, which causes it to accelerate or
Power system stabilizers were developed to aid in damping of decelerate, depending on the direction of the unbalance. As
these power oscillations by modulating the excitation supplied the rotor changes speed, the relative rotor angle changes.
to the synchronous machine. Figure 2 shows the relationship between the rotor (torque)
This paper will discuss the various types of power system angle, δ, the stator magnetomotive force (MMF), F1, and the
instability. It will cover the effects of system impedance and
rotor MMF, F2. The torque angle, δ, is the angle between the
excitation on stability. Synchronizing torque and damping
torque will be discussed and a justification will be made for the rotor MMF, F2, and the resultant of the vector addition of the
need for supplemental stabilization. rotor and stator MMFs, R, as seen in Figure 2 below.
Eg
j IX g
ET
E0 jIXE
I
Pre-faulted System
Post-faulted System PMAX
4
3
stable
Post-faulted System
1 Turbine
PM
Power
PM
Unstable
machine loses
sysnchronism Equal Area has
Breaker
clears faults substantial margin
Δω =
1
2H
[∫ ΔT dt − ∫ ΔT dt ]
m e (6)
XVII. CONCLUSION
In 2006, the Energy Act was passed with legislation that
requires conformance to performance audits by the American
Electric Reliability Council that are specifically defined by the
regional council. In the Northwest, WECC requires all
generators, 35MVA, or group of machines totaling 75MVA to
include a power system stabilizer. Many paper mills in the
Northwest and Canada meet these guidelines and, therefore,
may require power system stabilizers in the future if they do
Fig. 25. On-line Step Response, Basler PSS-100 not already have them.
Ks=7.5, 92MW Hydro Turbine Generator
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