Failures during Load-Frequency Control Maneuvers in an Upgraded Hydropower Plant: Causes, Identification of Causes and Solution Proposals

Juan I. Pérez-Díaz and José I. Sarasúa
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Juan I. Pérez-Díaz: Department of Hydraulic, Energy and Environmental Engineering, Escuela de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Technical University of Madrid (UPM), c/Profesor Aranguren s/n, Madrid 28040, Spain
José I. Sarasúa: Department of Hydraulic, Energy and Environmental Engineering, Escuela de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Technical University of Madrid (UPM), c/Profesor Aranguren s/n, Madrid 28040, Spain

Energies, 2015, vol. 8, issue 10, 1-21

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to investigate the cause of several unexpected high amplitude oscillations that occurred in the surge tank water level of a real hydropower plant during secondary load-frequency control (LFC) maneuvers, after the replacement of the turbine runner, and to propose solutions that allow the power plant to continue providing secondary LFC in a safe and reliable manner. For this purpose, a simulation model has been developed and calibrated from data gathered during several on-site tests. Two different solutions are proposed in order to cope with the observed problem: using a state-dependent load change rate limiter or modifying the hydro turbine governor gains; the turbine governor remains the same as before the runner replacement. The proposed solutions are tested against a set of realistic secondary LFC signals by means of simulations and compared to each other as a function of the probability that the surge tank water level descends below a minimum safe level and the quality of the secondary LFC response. The results presented in the paper demonstrate the validity of the methodology proposed to determine the state-dependent ramp limit, as well as its effectiveness to prevent the surge tank drawdown and to provide clear insight into the trade-off between response quality and power plant safety.

Keywords: hydroelectric power generation; power plant upgrading; load-frequency control (LFC); simulation-based analysis; dynamic response (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: 2015
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