K.

Sudhakaran(2009276021)
&
G.GITOHSAM (2009276010)
Vth Sem M.E.,(PT)
Cogeneration
Cogeneration, the Path to Profit & Sustainable Development

UNIT III

Cogeneration Plants Electrical Inter Connection Issues:

There are essentially two ways of connecting a cogeneration unit in
this situation.

In Series as a bypass in a suitable return to the boilers.

In Parallel with the boilers.

The interconnection of cogeneration plants in to Transmission &

Distribution Networks are;
1. The Generator Type
2. Site Location at Transmission & Distribution Networks.
Island Mode
Satellite Mode
3. Protection
Grounding
Fault Levels
Island & Satellite Mode
Synchronising
Loss of Mains .
4. Load flow & Losses
5. Voltage Regulation
6. Stability.
I Generators Type:
Generators are classified Two types they are
Synchronous Generators.
Induction (Asynchronous) Generators.
In general A.C Generators involve the conversion of mechanical energy
to electrical energy.

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1. Synchronous Generators.
It is the constant (or) Synchronous speed generators.
i.e, Ns=120f
p
Ns- Synchronous speed, f - Frequency in HZ (50HZ ),P - No. of poles.
Operate at constant speed
Synchronous generators are selected if the delivery of mechanical
power is constant. Generally they are more expensive and with a
more complicated construction than Induction generators.
They require an excitation system & synchronizing equipment.
Synchronous generators can operate at virtually any power factor,
thus allowing independent control of reactive power for a given real
power output.

2. Induction (Asynchronous) Generators.

The Induction Machine can work in both generator mode &

motor modes.
It is the variable speed Machine.
Induction generators are cheaper & easier to construct, with
simpler excitation starting & control systems.
Usually cheaper than Synchronous generators.
Simpler excitation & control systems.
Reliable & Robust design.

Utility & Cogeneration Plant interconnection issues:

The requirements for interconnection with public utilities grids
vary from country to country, from operator to operator, and from utility
to utility, depending on the generation equipment, site & host utility
systems. Interconnection equipment requirements increase with the
generator size & voltages.
The features found to be significant to a firm considering
investment in cogeneration are:

The incremental capital cost of equipment to produce electricity.

The incremental operating cost & (Fuel, maintenance etc.,)/

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The price of purchased electricity.

They buyback rate for electricity sold to the utility.
Heat demand
Operating hours (Load factor)
Engineering & thermodynamic characteristics
cogeneration technology chosen.

of

boiler

&

Cogeneration application can be found in the Industry, Hotels & the

health & leisure sectors, where considerable heat requirements & exist
providing high thermal efficiencies as well as in district heating.

Site location at Transmission & Distribution Networks:

The engineering formulation of the connection includes:

Number of circuits required
Circuit configuration
Transmission /Distribution voltage
Conductor size
Generator Output
Conductor phase spacing
Distance to point of connection
Use of existing Transmission/Distribution & upgrading of
functioning facilities.

Island Mode:
The Island mode implies a cogeneration plant running absolutely
unconnected to another source of power (Network).
Consequently, the generating sets determine the system frequency
& voltage.
A Synchronous generator provide with adequate excitation &
frequency control systems will not have major trouble in this
regime.
Satellite Mode:

Operating in this mode involves a local system analogous to the

island mode, but still connected to a much larger system.

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This regime hold the same advantages as the Island mode, but the
SGs have the advantage to be able to compensate for the
connection impedance, thus maintaining a stable voltage.

Synchronous generators holds the following benefits.

Black Start Capacity
Frequency response.
Reserve.
Protection:
Earthing (or) Grounding
Ungrounded
Solidly multi-grounded
Solidly uni-grounded
Reasonant grounded
Resistively grounded
Reactively grounded

Fault levels:
Each generator contributes towards short circuit magnitudes.
Hence the short circuit current is high, so if series reactors could
be introduced to mitigate the current value.
Loss of Mains:
The important to install protection devices capable of detecting the
loss of mains voltage from the host utility to avoid undesirable conditions
and proceed to execute the corresponding action.
Load flow & losses:
When the power exported by the cogeneration plant to the utility
grid is absorbed locally this decreases the power transmitted along the
line.
Voltage drop due to energy dissipation
Sv=XPg
Vg

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Voltage Regulation:
Depending on the existing operating conditions the embedded
generator may:

Produce reactive power (P.F. lagging)

Absorb reactive (P.F. leading)
Neither of the above (UPF)

Voltage must be maintained within fixed statutory limits.

Stability:

Transient instability is caused by large disturbances due to load

changes in switching operations or electrical faults.
Connection procedures require that transient & steady State
stability studies be conducted to analyse the potential capabilities
of the new plant to disrupt the normal operation of the system.

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