LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED

AUTO STARTING, AUTO SYNCHRONISING,

AUTO LOAD SHARING, AUTO LOAD
SHEDDING, GRID ISLANDING AND
AUTO LOAD SHADING OF
GENERATORS IN PARALLEL OPERATION

R.SESHADRI
MYSORE WORKS

Auto Starting, Auto Synchronising,Auto Load sharing, Auto Load

shedding, Grid Islanding and Load shading of Generators in
parallel
Many industries have multiple generators for their captive usage, each of different
size and different vintage but they encounter many problems when paralleling
the generators.

The problems faced when generators are paralleled are:

a) instability and hunting at higher outputs

b) cascaded tripping
c) accidental reverse power flow due to breaker failure
d) poor power factor
e) sensitivity to grid disturbances
f) protection against grid faults
g) handling of grid outages as per local utility regulations
h) reverse synchronisation

Parallel operation of generators can be of three types:

a) generators running on a common bus , feeding a given plant load here, the
generating capacity is adequate to feed the plant load. The advantages are :

- flexible & better management of plant load

- switchgear cost reduction
- economy in cost of generation
- optimum usage of installed capacity

b) generators running on a common bus , feeding plant load, but with local
utility grid connected to the common bus - here, the plant load is more than
the generating capacity. Power is being imported from the grid, to meet the
additional power requirement along with the captive generator sets . In this
system, in addition to the advantages listed above, the user has to minimise
power import from the local utility and maximise the captive generation,
resulting in an over all economy and stability in power supply.

c) generators running on a common bus , feeding plant load, but with local
utility grid connected to the common bus, with a possibility of power export
to grid .
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In this case, the plant load is less than the generating capacity. In addition to
the advantages listed above, the user has an opportunity to export excess
power from the generators to the grid and gain sizeable revenue from the
local utility.

In all the above cases, the protection and control needs of the generator is totally
different from what is normally required when they are operating independently on a
bus and feeding a dedicated plant load.

Following paragraphs, various issues involved in paralleling of generators along

with cost economic protection solutions are discussed in detail.

1.0 Parallel operation of generators without Grid. :

Consider a case of three generators in parallel. The ratings are

G1 33MW Gas turbine

G2 18 MW Steam Turbine
G3 12 MW Diesel engine Total 63 MW.

The problems associated in this case are:

a) if one generator trips due to some problem, the other two generators
also trip one after the other, due to over load. This is called cascaded
tripping.

b) the given plant load at any time , is not shared equally by the
generators.

Let us say that the plat load is 54 MW. This would mean that all three
generators have to run to meet this power demand. The plant load is
85.7% of the capacity.

Ideally the three generators should share this 54 MW equally with

respect to their rated capacities (ie) each generator should run at 85.7
% of its rated capacity. (ie)

G1 should be running at 28.28 MW

G2 should be runing at 15.44 MW
 G3 should be running at 10.28 MW Total 54 MW
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This kind of power delivery at the above levels, have to be ensured by

adjusting the governor and exciter controls of each of the generators.
If this is not ensured, then the largest generator will try to take the
entire load of 54 MW , will get over loaded, and trip. This will result
in overloading of the next largest generator , it will trip and so on.
Final result is that there a cascaded tripping of all generators and total
black out.

The adjustment of governor and exciter controls can be done

manually by operating on the potentiometers or inc / dec push
buttons. If the load is fluctuating say between 75% to 90% (which is
normally the case) , an operator will go mad doing the adjustments at
a rapid speed and eventually make mistakes.

It is always recommended to have an Automatic Load Sharing

system, particularly when the generators are large and the load is
fluctuating.

c) Even after installing a suitable auto load sharing system, one of the
generators may trip not due to swallowing of excess load , but due to
some other problems like electrical fault or engine related faults or
intentional stop. In this case also the remaining generators will get
over loaded and trip in cascade.

To avoid this , a proper load shedding system has to be incorporated .

This system will always monitor the over load conditions of the
generators based on which generator is over loaded, it will initiate a
load shedding of appropriate loads. This will ensure that , at anytime,
the total plant load on the generator bus is not above the total capacity
of generation.

Following paragraphs describe the Auto Load Sharing system and Auto Load
shedding system. For 3 generators, when they are operating on a same bus
but without connection to grid.

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1.1 Auto Load Sharing System :

Load sharing, to certain extent is achieved by the built in droop behaviour of the
generator governor but this is not adequate particularly when generators are of
large, different in sizes, different vintages, and different makes.

For the case in hand as above, a comprehensive system with load sharing relays
(type RRS) is recommended. These load sharing relays are mounted on each
generator feeder they continuously measure the power being produced by each
generator and compare with a parameter (let us say Px) equivalent to the
proportion of total capacity versus actual plant load. They have facility to give
inc / dec pulses to governor and exciter.

If at any time, the power measured by RRS relay is above the level of Px, then
the relay gives decrease pulses to governor, so that the power generated by
generator will become equal to Px.

Similarly, if the power measured by RRS relay is below the level of Px, then the
relay gives increase pulses to governor, so that the power generated by generator
will become equal to Px.

The above process is on line, continuous and automatic. Hence it takes care of
any fluctuating load conditions.

It should be noted that , both the active power as well as the reactive power
portions of the load must be shared equally for stable operation of generators in
parallel. Other wise, there may be PF related problems. If reactive power is not
controlled properly, each generator will operate at a different PF the generator
with poor PF will get over heated and trip. Consequently, a dedicated load sharing
relay RRS will be required one each per generator for kW sharing and one each
per generator for kVAR sharing.

The KW sharing RRS relay measures the active power , compares with the
dynamically varying set point Px and controls the governor.

The KVAr sharing RRS relay measures the reactive power , compares with the
dynamically varying set point Pr and controls the exciter.
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It should be noted that load sharing is commenced after synchronising is

completed. When Synchronising, the load sharing is disabled. Hence the load
sharing relay should have a provision, whereby load sharing activity can be
enabled when a potential free contact is available at certain terminals of the relay
(like N/O contact of the breaker)

A typical Auto Loads Sharing Scheme, with RRS relays, for both KW and KVAr
control , for three generators, is shown in fig. 1. Basically two RRS relays per
generator will be required to achieve a proper load sharing of both KW and KVAr.

1.2 Auto Load shedding scheme

Following two methods can be used for initiating load shedding :

a) Frequency based Load shedding : Here the frequency of the generator bus
is monitored by using a frequency relay a falling frequency is a good
indication of an over loaded bus. Based on the frequency of the bus , go on
shedding a pre-selected load.

For this purpose L&T relay type UFD34 is ideal this relay gives settings for
4 levels of under frequency and two levels of dF/dT. With this facility , the
relay can be used to detect progressive fall in frequency and upto 4 loads can
be tripped.

One UFD34 relay can give 4 contacts, which can be set to different levels of
under frequency and time delays. independently settable. Based on total
number of loads to be shed, one or two UFD34 relays may be required.

b) Power based Load shedding : Here the power level of each of he generators is
monitored by an over power relay if there is over power in any of the
generators, initiate load shedding.

For this L&T relay type MW33 can be used. One MW33 relay per generator
will be required. Each MW33 relay will give two contacts for active power
and two contacts for reactive power. Pick up levels of these contacts are
 independently adjustable. Consequently upto 6 loads can be shed with this
system.
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1.3 Load shedding logic :

The relays UFD34 or MW33 relays described above can only give a contact
for tripping a load when there is an over load in the generators. This contact
has to be routed properly to a selected breaker for actual load shedding to take
effect .

The actual load to be shed, will depend upon the plant running condition at
any time. Consequently, the load shedding scheme should always :

a) recognize what loads are on in the plant at moment of generator over

load

b) of these loads, what are non critical loads, and

c) divert the relay trip signals to these non critical loads in the order of
priority.

If this logic sequence is not followed , there is a danger that

a) a non running load receives the trip signal and there is no effect of load
shedding or

b) the same loads are tripped every time there is a trigger for load
shedding.

Both above conditions are not desirable and hence a logic scheme is
required apart from the relays.

This logic system is plant specific and has to be deigned based on the SLD of
the plant and the grouping philosophy of the plant with respect to critical / non
critical loads to be tripped during over loads.
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2.0 Parallel operation of generators with Grid. :

If grid paralleling is envisaged, then the generators would require additional

protections in the form of Grid Islanding , load shedding and load shading schemes.

2.1 Grid Islanding

The main idea of islanding is that the generators should be safe and they should
continue to deliver power to the plant when the grid is disturbed without getting
affected by the harmful effects of grid disturbances.

Grid Islanding scheme ensures disconnection of captive power generator plant

from the grid in the event of grid supply failure or disturbances in the grid. A grid
disturbance is detected by following events on the generator bus (which is
connected to grid) :

a) rapid fall in frequency this will happen when there is sudden over load in
the grid. Under frequency relay with dF/dT function is used for detecting
this condition.

b) fault in the grid in this case the generator will feed the fault and trip on
over current resulting in loss of power to the plant. Directional Over
current + Directional Earth fault relays are used to detect this condition.

c) fault in the grid or grid failure is also well detected by a de/dT relay here
the rate of change of fall in voltage is sensed and a trip command is issued.

d) Incomer failure this may cause under frequency on the generator bus if the
plant was importing power from the grid or over frequency if the plant was
exporting power.

e) Another solution for detecting mains failure is to use a Vector surge relay .
When the incomer utility voltage fails during export mode, the bus voltage
 will momentarily shift in the time axis this phase shift is an indication of
mains failure.

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f) Mains failure can also be detected by a sensitive reverse power relay if the
plant is importing power or a low forward power relay if the plant is exporting
power.

Typical grid islanding schemes are :

a) dF/dT + Under frequency + Over frequency + de/dT

b) Reverse Power or Low forward power
c) Under Voltage + Directional Over current
d) Vector Surge
e) Under frequency or under voltage

Depending upon the nature and requirement of the plant the user may opt for relays
which will give any of the above or combination of the above schemes. Please refer
Fig.-2 for a typical Islanding system.

2.2 LOAD SHEDDING SCHEME ( AFTER ISLANDING DURING

IMPORT OF POWER)

When generators are running in parallel with the grid by importing power, and, when
the generators have islanded due to grid disturbance, the generators may not be in a
position to deliver the power to the plant load which was connected to the bus at the
time of islanding. Unless a load shedding operation follows quickly after islanding,
the generators will trip on over load resulting in a total power shut off to the plant.

Normally load shedding, as per predetermined sequence, should be completed within

3 to 20 cycles after islanding(depending upon the overload withstand capacity of the
generator). This will ensure that the generator does not get over loaded and trip after
islanding.
The schemes explained in sections 1.2 and 1.3 can ensure effective load shedding
after islanding ( during import of power).

2.3 LOAD SHADING OF GENERATORS :

Load shading ( progressive reduction of power output of a generator) is required

wherever generators are connected to the grid and they are exporting power to
the grid .

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When a generator is exporting some part of its power and there is a grid
disturbance, it will island since there is no out let to consume the exported
power, after islanding, its terminal voltage / frequency will rise rapidly only to
damage the generator. To avoid this there should be an arrangement which will
quickly sense this rapidly increasing dV/dT or dF/dT and issue signals to governor
and exciter to reduce the power level of the generator. This is called load shading
in a generator.

Load shading is a built in feature in the load sharing relay RRS whenever a
contact input is given (N/C contact from the incomer breaker), the load sharing
relay will initiate a continuous decrease pulse train and ensure power reduction.

3.0 DATA / EVENT LOGGING :

Apart from the issues discussed above, a user can have a facility by which the
above relays of the generator installation are connected to a computer system .

The relays UFD34 and MW33 are totally Numeric in technology and are
communicable relays. RRS relay is a solidstate relay since its function is of
regulating nature, it is not required to communicate.

The small islanding / load shedding logic can be achieved by L&Ts Matrix
module MX-7/5 which is again a communicating relay.

These relays come with RS485 serial communication port through which data can
be retrieved / sent in on modbus protocol from a PC with a specialised
communication software. The specialised software is resident in the PC , and this
will :
 - establish communication with each of the individual relays
- continuously poll each relay at regular interval and down load all data
from relay memory to the PC hard disk
- store the down loaded data in a file format
- provide the user a facility to view / print all data through a structured,
user friendly menu format. generate reports in a ready made format for
the users management

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If required, special additional relays can be provided for oscillographic recording

of the waveform of voltage / current on a trigger ( like islanding). These wave
forms can be down loaded in to the PC and a study can reveal valuable fault
diagnostic information.

A typical set up is shown in fig. 3.

4.0 SUMMARY

An attempt has been made to bring out various issues involved in operating
generators in parallel , along with suggestions on the type of relays / hardware to
be used to address each issue without ambiguity.

It should be noted that all the solutions suggested for various operations above,
follow a building block concept to address any newly envisaged projects as well as
existing plants with older type of generators with conventional relays, governors
and exciters.

Following are L&T relays for various operations :

Relays for Load sharing RRS ( two per generator)

Relays for Load shedding UFD34 ( common for the generator bus)
MW33 ( one per generator)

Relays for Islanding UFD34 ( for dF/dT + Under Frequency)

MRP11 ( for reverse power)
MW33 ( for low forward power)
DM30 ( for directional O/C + E/F)
UM30 ( for vector surge)
Relays for Islanding logic Matrix module MX-7/5
( quantity will depend on plant)

PC system Standard configuration with Windows

Communication software MSCOM software

The usage of present day numerical relays as above ( except RRS) , in addition to
performing all the tasks effectively, will offer considerable considerable economy
in cost, size, maintannance and a high degree of ease of operation of the total
system.
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