An energy-shaping approach to the design of excitation control of synchronous generators

In this paper we discuss the estimation of the domain of attraction of equilibria in power systems and propose a new passivity-based controller design methodology for excitation control of synchronous generators. The methodology goes beyond the widely popular damping injection (L-g V) schemes, to actually shape the total energy function via modification of the energy transfer between the mechanical and electrical components of the system. Applying the procedure it is shown that a, properly tuned, linear state feedback enlarges both the estimates and the actual domain of attraction, thus increasing critical clearing time for faults. This is illustrated in two case studies, including a benchmark comparison with the classical control scheme. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.