Hydrogenerator power angle determination in dynamic conditions based on air gap measurements

Abstract

The article presents a new method for determining the load angle of a salient-pole synchronous machine. The method is based on measuring the armature voltage and air gap of the machine, which is an integral part of the modern monitoring system of synchronous hydropower units. The raw signal from the air gap sensor is used to determine the rotor displacement towards the fundamental harmonic of the armature voltage. The developed algorithm for determining the load angle in real time was first tested using synthetic data obtained using a standard mathematical model of the generator. After that, experimental research was conducted on a 26 MVA generator in the Peruca HPP. The validity of the proposed method was verified based on a comparison with another method based on measuring the rotor position using a magnetic sensor. The proposed algorithm for determining the load angle in real time has satisfactory accuracy and requires a very short processing time. For applications that do not require real-time processing, for example, for identifying generator parameters, the accuracy is additionally increased by using an appropriate algorithm for processing data outside of real time.

Marin Despalatović

Full Professor | Department of Electrical Drives and Industrial Control

Full professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Naval Architecture in Split, where he teaches courses Electric Machines, Electric Drive Systems, and Electromechanical System Modeling. His research focuses on power systems, energy storage, and smart grid technologies, with active participation in multiple national and international projects aimed at advancing energy infrastructure and improving system stability.

Božo Terzić

Full Professor | Department of Electrical Drives and Industrial Control

Full professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture in Split, with significant contributions in the field of industrial development projects including the design of prototypes of electronic converters used in industrial plants around the world. His research interests are focused on the application of electronic converters in electric drives and renewable energy sources.