Chapter 4

Control of Power and Frequency

 Introduction
• In a large interconnected system, many synchronous
generators, big and small are directly connected and
hence all have the same frequency.
• The allocation of the required power amongst the
generators has to be decided before the load appears.
• The probable load to be expected, having been decided
is then allocated to the various turbine- generators
• The ability of the machines to increase their output
quickly from zero to full load and subsequently reduce
their output is important
• It is extremely unlikely that the output of the machines at any
instant will be exactly equal to the load on the system
• If output is higher than demand the machines will tend t
increase in speed and the frequency will rise and vice versa
• Hence frequency is not a constant and varies continuously.
• These frequency variations are small and have no noticeable
effect on most consumers.
• When long term tendencies to rise and fall are noticed, the
control engineers take action by regulating the generator
outputs.
• If total generation is insufficient to meet the
demand, the frequency will fall.
• If frequency falls by 1 Hz the reduced speed of
power station pumps and fans may limit the
output of the power station and a serious
situation arises
• All utilities have a scheme of planned load
shedding based on under frequency relays set to
reduce loads in blocks to prevent complete shut
down of the power system in extreme
emergencies.
• When an increase in load occurs on the
system, the speed and frequency of all the
interconnected generators fall.
• The increades energy requirement is met from
the kinetic energy from the machines.
• This causes an increase in steam or water
admitted to the turbine due to operation of
governors and hence a new load balance is
obtained.
The Turbine Governor
Droop Characteristics
Speed Control
Control Loops