90 IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, Vol. 13, No.

1, March 1998

ptimal Exploitation of Generator-TransformerUnits

A. Losi * V. Mangoni ** *
M. RL~SSO

* Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale - Universitii degli Studi di Cassino - Via Di Biasio, 43 - 03043 Cassiizo - Italy
** Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica - Universita degli Studi di Napoli - Via Claudio, 21 - 80125 Napoli - Italy

Abstract - The concept of capability chart, traditionally related transformer. For such a system, the capability chart has been
to the synchronous machines, has been extended to the whole defined as the doinaiii of possible operating conditions in the
generator-transformer unit, and has proven to be an effective plane of active aiid reactive powers injected into the high-
tool in planning and design activities: difkrent solutions can be voltage busbar. It takes into account the actual operating
compared in t e r m of' active and reactive powers injected by conditions of the generating unit and of lhe power system the
the generating unit into the high-voltage busbar. The operation unit is connected to, which inay effectively limit the possible
of the unit in points belonging to the capability chart requires operating range of the unit, with a significant reduction wilh
to suitably choose the set-points of the unit controls: a control respect to the syilchroiious machine capability chart
law is proposed which requires minimum changes to the usual furnished by the manufacturer [2].
control structures, and does not need new measurements. The capability chart is a useful tool in both the planning
Numerous tests on a typical generating unit highlight the and the operation of generator-transforiner units.
effectiveness of the capability chart as a planning tool, and the In the planning, the capability chwt can be fruitfully used
features of the proposed control law.
to determine the best mix of the ch:v:ictcristics of the unit
Keywords: Generator-transfonncr units, capability, planning, components (prime mover, synchronous machine,
COlIt 1.01 transformer). In particular, it is useful to perform a direct
evaluation of the liinitatioiis of the capabilily of the unit due
to the transforiner aiid to lhe power system. In the case of
I. INTRODUCTION unit transformer equipped with under-load tap changer
(ULTC), as is often the case of generating unils in industrial
The concept of capability chart has been traditionally electrical systems [8, 91, the capability char1 proves to bc an
related to synchronous machines, and has been widely effective tool for a detailed coinparison of the benel'its
accepted as an itidispelisable tool €or planning of power introduced by ULTC wilh its cost.
systems and, i n particular, o€ generating units [l, 2, 31. In the operation, when a ULTC is adopted, the capability
Moreover, capability chart has already been extended to chart is useful to design a control law such t h a t the unit is
HVDC links [4] and electric power system [5.6]. The great effectively exploited. The operating conditions of the u n i t
advantage of capability charts is the clear wdy they relate depend on the set-points of the conIrolc OC its components
active and reactive powers, thus allowing an easy and direct and on the operating conditions oC the elcctrrcal power
description of the capability of the system in study. system the unit is connected to; to exploit all the capabilily
Recently [7], the capability chart concept has been of the unit, the prime mover, the generator excitation and the
extended lo the generating units, considering the whole ULTC have to be adequaiely controlled, in order lo oblain
system composed of the generator and the related active power, reactive power and turns-ratio that allow [he
unit to provide €or all its capability wilhoul the violation of
PE-832-EC-0-04-1997 A paper recommended and approved by the any constraint on any quantity.
IEEE Energy Development and Power Generation Committee of the In the paper, the model lo obtain the capabilily chart oT
IEEE Power Engineering Society for publication in the IEEE
Transactions on Energy Conversion. Manuscript submitted December
the generating units presented in [7] is rccalled and extended
26, 1996; made available for printing April 11, 1997. to include the constraints introduced by the power plaiii
auxiliaries. The model takes into account all the Icchiiical
and operating constraints 011 thc prime mover, on the
syiichronous machine, on the unit transhx\er and 011 the
auxiliary transformer; the general caw of both transforiners
equipped with ULTC is considered.

0885-8969/98/$10.00 0 1997 IEEE


The way for exploiting all the capability chart in the
actual operation is shown. As already mentioned, the coirect
operation and the full exploitation of the unit requires the
adequate choice of the set-points that determine the active
and reactive powers and the turns-ratios of the transformers.
In the paper it is proposed to modify only the logic by which
the tap position of the unit transformer is set, while the
controls of the prime mover, of the synchronous machine
and of the auxiliary transformer are left unchanged, and no
additional measurement is needed. From the capability
charts obtained for different values of the high-voltage (HV)
busbar voltage amplitude, a look-up table is built to obtain
the unit transformer ULTC set-points during operation.
11. CAPABILITY CHART FOR GENERATING UNITS
The capability chart for generating units refers to the
general schematic system in Fig. la; the steady-state
electrical equivalent circuit is shown in Fig. 1.b .
The prime mover is supposed to limit the active power
generated by the synchronous machine, P,, within a fixed
range according to:
pg,min 'Pg 'Pg,max f (1)
The operating capability of the synchronous machine is
usually bounded by three limits: the rotor field thermal limit
(specified by a DC currcnt rating), the thermal limitation on
the stator current, and the underexcitation limiter (UEL)
(4 I Auxiliaries
($1
Fig. 1. Generating unit diagram and equivalent elcclrical circuit
91
action. The three limits can be rcpresented with Ihc
following inequalities 12, 10, 11, 12):
where Q, is the generated reactive power, V, is the voltage
amplitude at the generator terminals, Vf,lnax is the e.m.f.
corresponding to the maximum exciting current, Xd is the
synchronous reactance, Ig,max is the maximum stator
current. KUR and KUC determine, rcspccrively, the radius
and the center of a circular UEL limit [ l I].
Moreover, the voltage amplitudc a t rhe synchronous
machine terminals, V,, and at the auxiliaries bushar, V,, arc
limited according to:
Vg,nlin 5 Vg 5 Vg,max * (3
Va,nm 5 Va 5 Va,niax * (6)
Froin the equivalent circuit of the transformers (Fig. 1h),
two operating equality constraints are derived in the
following general formulation:
Pg -Pa - s b cos q b - P L = 0 , (7)
Qg -Q, -Sbsiii(Pb - Q L = O , (8)
where Pa and Qa are the auxiliary achvc and reaclivts
powers, Sb is the apparent power injected by the generating
unit into the high-voltage busbar and 'pb is the related power
angle, and PL and QL represent active and reactive powcr
losses in the transformers.
Auxiliary powers Pa and Q, depend on the gencrated
powers in a way that is specified according to the particular
generating plant considered [2]:
P, = P,(Pg) 9 (9)
Qa = Q a ( P g * Q g ) (10)
Transformer losses depend on the opcrat ing conditions:
PL = P L ( v ~ , v a . V b , G g , 6 a , a ~ , a ~ ) , (11)
Q L = QL (Vg, Va 7 Vb, Gg, 6,, 81 7 a? 1 3 (13
where v b is the voltage amplitude of the HV busbar, 6, (6,)
is the phase shift between the voltage phasors of the
synchronous terminals (auxiliary bushar) and HV bushar,
and a1 and a2 are the transformer turns-ratios.
The general representation of the trrtnsforiners provides
for nominal or off-nominal turns-ratios. and, if ULTCs arc
adoptcd, the turns-ratios are discrete v;lri;lhles that can l x
92
Other technical limitations on the transformers can be
neglected because they are usually sized on a larger and
more coiiservative basis than other unit components.
The HV busbar voltage amplitude depends on the
operating conditions of both the electrical power system and
the generating unit; in norinal operating conditions, the
following constraint is satisfied:
Vbmin vb Vbmax . (15)
The border of the capability chart of the generating unit,
for a given value of the HV busbar voltage amplitude
satisfying (15), can be obtained, as in [7], by maximizing
and minimizing the apparent power injected by the unit into
the high-voltage busbar for fixed value of the power angle.
For each value of q+, the following optimization problems
must be solved:
min Sb or max Sb (16)
subject to constraints (1)-@), and constraints (13)-(14) if
ULTCs are adopted.
In their most general formulation, the optimization
problems (16) cannot be solved analytically, and numerical
solutions must be obtained by means of well-known non-
linear programming algorithms. The solutions are repeatedly
evaluated for different values of the power angle 'pb, so as to
obtain the border of the closed domain of possible operating
conditions of the generating unit in the (Pb,Qb) plane. If any
of the transformers is equipped with ULTC, the optimization
problems are non-linear mixed-integer problems; their
solutions can be obtained assuming a continuous variable for
the transformer turns-ratio if the discrete steps of variation
of the turns-ratio are small enough.
An example of capability chart for a generator-
transformer unit is reported in Fig. 2
111. OPTIMAL EXPLOITATION OF GENERATING UNITS
The capability chart of generator-transformer units
indicates the allowed operating points, for a given value of
- t h c H - V h & ~ a m pli lude.
In plxming activities, the chart can be useful to ascertain
the limitation to the capability chart of the synchronous
machine introduced by the other components of the unit
and/or by the powcr system the unit is connected to. It can be
1
If the auxiliary transformer is not equipped with ULTC, in the
design its turns-ratio is chosen such that constraint ( 6 ) always holds
when constraint (5) is satisfied; in such a case, constraint (6) can
be dropped, and tums-ratio a2 assumes a fixed value.
Fig. 2 . Capability chart for generator-trnnsfornie~unit
useful to analyze the operation of the unil ill regions that are
within the allowed operating range of its components, but
are not addressed by the standards, such as the case of the
minumum generator voltage less than 0.95 pu [ 11. Moreover,
it can be a useful tool in decision-making when different
planning choices have to be compared in terms of capability
and cost. In particular, by means of the capability chart, the
best combination of the design parameters of the prime
mover, of the synchronous machine and of the transformers
can be chosen.
Once a unit equipped with ULTC is in operation, the
problem of attaining an operation point bclonging Lo the
chart arises.
Inside the border of the capability chart, a certain value
of active and reactive power can be obtained with many
values of currents and voltages, and then with dil'ferent
values of the transformer turns-ratios. This freedom vanishes
as the unit operating conditions approach the boundary of
the capability chart. On the border, the operation is possible
only if the values of active and reactive powers, and of trans-
former turns-ratios are equal to the solution of the extrcmi-
zation problem by which that operation point has been de-
termined; the set-points of the controls ol' the prime mover,
of the synchronous excitation and ol' the ULTCs can iiol l x
independent from each other, but have to be coordinated.
Firstly, let us consider the operation on a point of the
border of the capability chart, and, in particular, around the
rated value of active powcr, whcre thc possibilitics of Lhc
best exploitation are more interesting. The required
coordinatim UT ifre sci-pcxkts~ an be realized indirecdy, by
acting only on the unit tiansfoimei ULTC, t'oicing its 1~111s-
ratio to assume the value obtained at the solution of the
maximization problem by which that point of the chart has
been determined. In this way, there is n o need for any
modification of the governor, of the excitation system and of
the auxiliary transformer ULTC (if it is present), and only a
different control law for the unit Lransforiner ULTC is
required.
 93

Usually, the unit transformer ULTC is controlled to ThBLE I - GENERATING

UNIT CHARACI'EKISfICS [PI; - 190 MVA BASE]
maintain the voltage amplitude at the generator terminals Prime inover j PgJnhl = 0.30 j I'g,max = 0.85
within its allowed operating range; in fact, this control is P-
sensitive to constraint (5). To exploit all the capahility chart, i Vg,min = 0.90 j Vp,max = 1.05
the operation on the border has to be detected: the control of Synchronousi Vf,,lL,x =2.885 Ig,l,lax = 1.053
the unit transformer ULTC has to be made sensitive also to machine j KUC = 1.417 K,, = 1.725
constraints (2)-(4). i x,, =2.00 I
Secondly, if the operation of the unit is inside the border
Traiisfonner XT, =0.082 j K, = 0.0082
of the capability chart, there is no need for any coordination,
and the tap position can be left unchanged. i 'mi1 = 0.94 / ;1,1,8x = 1.06
In Fig. 3, a functional scheme for the modified control of
the tap position is depicted. The tap set-point generator uses has been assumed with fixed nominal turns-ratio.
a look-up-table, built with the results of the maximization To show the effectiveness of the capability chart as a
problems (16), for various values of power angle (p, and of planning tool, it is interesting to compare the results for
HV busbar voltage amplitude, V,. This optimal set point is different values of V, and for different types ol unit
enabled only if any of the constraints (2)-(5)is recognized as transformer. In Fig. 4, for V, equal to 1 pu, the charts
active; otherwise, no action is taken on the set-point. thus corresponding to different values of turns-ralio and to a unil
leaving the tap position unchanged. equipped with ULTC are shown.
The control scheme of Fig. 3 has many desirable From Fig. 4 it is apparent the inlluencc of the value of
features: turns-ratio on the capability chart, as well as the benefits ihat
0 it requires miiiiinal changes to the usual ULTC control; can be obtained with a ULTC.
it does not require any additional measurement, To show the el'l'ectiveiiess and the 1c:rtures of the ULTC
assuming that HV measures are already performed; control of Fig. 3, the case of a unit equipped with ULTC is
it minimizes the variations of the tap position, while considered.
assuring the exploitation of the whole capability chart of To build the look-up-table needcd in such control,
the unit. various capability charts are obtained for different values of
V,, ranging from 0.9 to 1.05 pu; in Fig. 5 , three such charts
are shown.
IV. NU~~ERICAL.
APPLICATIONS The test of the control behavior is pcrfori-ned by extcnsive
time simulations, with a detailed modeling of the
Intensive applications on a typical generating unit have synchronous machine, of the governor. of the excitation
been performed. The per-unit data of the components of the system and of the power system slabilizer [13]; the power
generating unit are reported in Table I; the values for the system the unit is connected to is modeled with a Thevenin
UEL are derived from the static stability limit according to equivalent, with a 0.1 pu impedance. Finally, the ULTC has
the standard practice [ 111, assuming a total external 24 positions and is modeled with a time constant of 10 s.
equivalent reactance of 0.3 pu. Figures 6 , 7, and 8 show the time plots of rms stator cur-
The dependences (9)-(10) of auxiliary powers 011 gen- rent I g, rms generator voltage V,, and reactive power Q,,,
erated powers are taken from [2], with the maximum active respectively. corresponding to a step chaiigc of the voltage
auxiliary power equal to 0.04 pu. The auxiliary transformcr

power angle, 'pb 4 -2 6

measure 2-D look-up
table
0.2 a= 1
0.8
* p, lPUl
-0.2.-

-0 4 1

Fig. 3. Functional sheme of the proposed ULTC control Fig. 4. Capability charts for fixed and v m a b l e tt~i-ns-r~i~io
94

+
new ro osal

>'"."LP"
vb=l.opu

-- 4J---=-

O'ggl
classical

I t

0.97

0.95
0 10 20 30 40 50 t [SI 60

Fig. 7 . Tine plots of nns gcncratoi voltage

Fig. 5 . Capability charts for a unit equipped with ULTC
amplitude oT the power system equivalent generator from 1.0
pu to 0.9 pu; the active powcr P,, whose steady value
remains unchanged, is not reported. In a11 the figures, two
cases are compared: traditional ULTC control vs. the new
proposal.
From Figures 6 and 7, it is apparent that. after the
perturbation, the rms stator current goes beyond the
maximum allowed value. With the traditional ULTC control,
no action is taken on the tap changer, and the current is
limited by the rcduclion of the generator voltagc. On the
contrary, the new ULTC control, dewling the high value of
the stator current, determines a variation of the tap posilion
that allows the generator voltage to return Lo the reference
value. Moreover, the new control law helps keeping the
stator current bclow its limit.
From Fig. 8, it is apparent that, after the initial increase,
the reactive power injected into the HV busbar decreases
under the traditional ULTC control, while it reaches a
higher value wilh the new proposal.
powers iiijected into the high-voltage busbar; it proves to be
a useful tool in both the plaiining and the operation of
generator-transformer uti i IS.
In the planning, it is possible to t~ikcinto account the
influence of the operating conditions of the power system the
unit is connected to on the generating ability of the unit, and
to evaluate accuralely a11 the benefi~sof' cquipping the unil
transformer wilh a ULTC.
For the operation of a generating u n i t equipped with
ULTC, the capability chart is useful to define a new control
law for the ULTC ihat assures [he bcsl exploitation of Ihc
unit, while requiring minimum ch:iiigcs to the cxisting
control schemes.
Numerical applications have bccn presented with
reference to a typical generating unit; tlicy highlight the
effectiveness of the capability chart as a useful tool to
compare different choices in planning activilies. Time
simulations have shown the good featurcs ol' the control law
that can be designed by means ol the cap:ibility charr.

V. CONCLIJSIONS VI. ACKNOWI,EDGM~;NTS

The capability chart has been considered for the The authors thank Prof. Guido Carpinclli for the userul
generator-transfortner units in terms of active and reactive discussions during the the developmcni of the work.

1.10 T 0.60

lg!Pul - Emax- . - Qb [PUl

new proposal 0.50

0.40

0.80 1
0 10 20 30 40 50 t [SI 60
0.30

0.20
0
I 10 20 30 40 1 50 t[s] 60

Fig. 6. Time plots of nns stator current Fig. 8. Tunc plots of r e x t i v u power
 95

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