Investigations into Achieving Trouble-Free Operating Conditions and Simulation of Cascaded Multi-Variable Control in a Hydroelectric Power Plant

In the context of electric power generation, load fluctuations and other process disturbances cause continuous changes in the operating parameters of the turbine-generator grid system. Meanwhile, frequency- voltage control is of great importance to ensure stable energy transmission between the power plant and the grid system. On the other hand, the economic operation of the plant can be achieved through knowledge of the limited economic operating range of the turbine and the associated hydraulic events. In particular, the disturbances caused by pressure fluctuations in the turbine water inlet pipe and cavitation are important effects to be investigated. In the following study, the basic concepts of a hydroelectric power plant consisting of a Francis-type turbine, synchronous generator, and network are discussed. After theoretical and parameter analysis of the hydroelectric plant with the network, a mathematical model of the system is created. To achieve smooth operation, a cascaded multivariable control simulation is applied. Operation results under different conditions are presented through simulation curves.