Kestrel

Power Engineering

Power System Stabilizer Course Outline 28/03/01

1.0 Description

The Power System Stabilizer (PSS) course is an intensive three-day lecture and computer training session
focussing on the design, tuning and testing of power system stabilizers on utility-scale synchronous
generators. This course is unique in that it combines the theoretical and practical aspects of PSS
application and is delivered by a lecturer with extensive experience in the simulation, tuning, design,
testing and maintenance of various different designs of power system stabilizers.

The basic course outline is listed on the following page. In addition to the lecture sessions, the course
makes extensive use of hands-on computer simulations to reinforce the concepts and provide some
practical exercises in both PSS tuning and testing.

2.0 Deliverables

The course notes are provided on CD in the form of Adobe Acrobat format files, for ease of future
reference. The CD also includes selected simulations from the latest version of Virtual GS, a power
system training environment, and a selection of spreadsheets used in PSS tuning and performance
analysis. Hands-on sessions involving the simulator are used to reinforce concepts introduced throughout
the course.

3.0 Logistics

The lectures are presented at the client’s location and all arrangements (i.e. room booking, meals) are to
be made by the client. The client must make arrangements for the following presentation tools:

• standard computer-based overhead projector

• projection screen
• whiteboard and/or flip charts
• Students are required to supply their own computers for installation of the training simulators.
Minimum requirement IBM-PC compatible, Pentium processor 120 MHz minimum, 16 Mb of
memory, mouse or equivalent pointing device, screen resolution 800x600 minimum

The preferred arrangement is for 2 trainees to work on one computer. Licenses are provided to allow
installation of one copy of the software per trainee. The course notes and simulators are distributed on
CD two weeks in advance of the course. It is the client’s responsibility to install the software on the
computers prior to the commencement of the course and print copies of the course notes if desired.
Printed course notes can be supplied by Kestrel Power if required, but this should be specified at the time
of quotation.

4.0 Kestrel Power Engineering

The lectures are presented by one of the Principals of Kestrel Power Engineering. Kestrel Power
Engineering has years of experience on PSS tuning, testing and maintenance, spanning three decades. We
continue to provide support for Ontario Power Generation’s inventory of PSS units (over 100 in service),
and were actively involved in the design and initial testing of the power system stabilizer implementations
included in the following major manufacturers digital units: CGE Silcomatic V, GE EX2000, ABB
Unitrol F, Basler PSS-100.

Page 1 PowerSystemStabilizerOutline.doc
 Power System Stabilizer Course Outline
Item Topic Description

1 Introduction • modern power system operation and control

• regulatory requirements related to PSS application
• overview of course

2 Power System • the synchronous power system

Stability • interaction between synchronous generators
• rotor angle and electromechanical oscillations
• modes of oscillation
• inter-area modes

3 Transfer Functions • per-unit system applied to generator and excitation system quantities
• frequency versus time-domain analysis
• transfer functions

4 Excitation Systems • functional overview of excitation system

• role of the excitation system in stability
• excitation system tuning objectives
• transient gain reduction

5 Power System • damping through excitation control

Stabilizers • functional design of common power system stabilizers
• detailed design of frequency/speed-based single-input stabilizers
• detailed design of power-based single-input stabilizers
• detailed design of integral-of-accelerating-power-based stabilizer
• examples of digital implementations by GE, Basler, ABB

6 Power System • review of modal analysis of power system stability

Stabilizer Tuning • selection of phase lead settings
• selection of high-pass filter time constants
• selection of PSS gain
• selection of output limits
• tuning examples

7 Basic Testing • instrumentation requirements

• measurement of excitation system response
• off-line measurement of PSS response
• on-line measurement of phase compensation requirements
• measurement of PSS response

8 Advanced Topics • mechanical power changes and the ramp-tracking filter

• torsional oscillations and filtering
• exciter modes of oscillation
• interaction with under-excitation limiters
• terminal voltage limiters

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