Response time for primary frequency control of hydroelectric generating unit

For evaluating the power quality in primary frequency control for hydroelectric generating units, the power response time is an indicator which is of main concern to the power grid. The aim of this paper is to build a suitable model for conducting reliable simulation and to investigate the general rules for controlling the power response time. Two huge hydropower plants with surge tank from China and Sweden are applied in the simulation of a step test of primary frequency control, and the result is validated with data from full scale measurements. From the analytical aspect, this paper deduces a time domain solution for guide vane opening response and a response time formula, of which the main variables are governor parameters. Then the factors which cause the time difference, between the power response time and the analytical response time of opening, are investigated from aspects of both regulation and water way system. It is demonstrated that the formula can help to predict the power response and supply a flexible guidance of parameter tuning, especially for a hydropower plant without surge tank. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.