Optimizing Automatic Voltage Control Collaborative Responses in Chain-Structured Cascade Hydroelectric Power Plants Using Sensitivity Analysis

Li Zhang (), Jie Yang (), Jun Wang, Lening Wang, Haiming Niu, Xiaobing Liu, Simon X. Yang and Kun Yang
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Li Zhang: Key Laboratory of Fluid and Power Machinery, Ministry of Education, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China
Jie Yang: Key Laboratory of Fluid and Power Machinery, Ministry of Education, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China
Jun Wang: Dadu River Pubugou Hydropower General Plant, CHN ENERGY Investment Group Co., Ltd., Ya’an 625304, China
Lening Wang: Dadu River Pubugou Hydropower General Plant, CHN ENERGY Investment Group Co., Ltd., Ya’an 625304, China
Haiming Niu: Guoneng Zhishen Control Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing 102211, China
Xiaobing Liu: Key Laboratory of Fluid and Power Machinery, Ministry of Education, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China
Simon X. Yang: School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
Kun Yang: China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corporation Southwest Company, Chengdu 610041, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-27

Abstract: Southwestern China has abundant hydropower networks, wherein neighboring cascade hydropower stations within the same river basin are typically connected to the power system in a chain-structured configuration. However, when such chain-structured cascade hydroelectric power plants (CC-HPPs) participate in automatic voltage control (AVC), problems such as reactive power interactions among stations and unreasonable voltage gradients frequently arise. To address these issues, this study proposes an optimized multi-station coordinated response control strategy based on sensitivity analysis and hierarchical AVC. Firstly, based on the topology of the chain-structured hydropower sending-end network, a reactive power–voltage sensitivity matrix is constructed. Subsequently, a regional-voltage-coordinated regulation model is developed using sensitivity analysis, followed by the establishment of a mathematical model, solution algorithm, and operational procedure for multi-station AVC-coordinated response optimization. Finally, case studies based on the actual operational data of a CC-HPP network validate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy, and simulation results demonstrate that the approach reduces the interstation reactive power pulling up to 97.76% and improves the voltage gradient rationality by 16.67%. These results substantially improve grid stability and operational efficiency while establishing a more adaptable voltage control framework for large-scale hydropower integration. Furthermore, they provide a practical foundation for future advancements in multi-scenario hydropower regulation, enhanced coordination strategies, and predictive control capabilities within clean energy systems.

Keywords: chain-structured cascade hydroelectric power plants (CC-HPPs); automatic voltage control (AVC); sensitivity analysis; collaborative response; operation optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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