Synchronous generator theory

1 Wrtsil 28.1.2001 / John Shibutani ABB Industry Oy

 Synchronous generator theory

Synchronous Generator

Theory and operation principle of Synchronous Machine

Generator operation with different type of loading:
No-load
Reactive
Active
PQ - Diagram
Control Methods
Design and Dimensioning criteria's

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 Synchronous generator theory

Synchronous Generator - Operation Principle

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 Synchronous generator theory

Based on basic rules of electromagnetism:

Current flowing in the conductor will create the magnetic field to the surrounding medium.
AC current will generate magnetic field varying at the same frequency as the current.
A rotating coil carrying DC current will generate magnetic field varying at the frequency of rotation.
Magnetic field will generate magnetic flux in the surrounding material.

Electric voltage will be induced between the ends of a Conductor

conductor staying in varying magnetic flux.
In addition to electrical magnets, magnetic field can be
produced using permanent magnet materials.
Mechanical force will affect to the conductor carrying
current in the magnetic field.

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 Synchronous generator theory

The operation of synchronous machine is based on the interaction of the two

main windings:

Stator winding
Field winding
Rotation is based on the pulling force between the two magnetic fields - stator and rotor
Rotor (field) is rotating with the same angular speed with the stator field i.e. in
synchronism => Synchronous Machine

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 Synchronous generator theory

Three phase winding In order to be able to create the rotating

field to the stator, three phase winding is
used.
A phase winding is divided in two parts
on the opposite sides of the stator.
Phases are located spacially at 120
degrees shift along the stator.
Supplying the three phase winding with
sinusoidal three phase supply with 120
degrees phase shift between the phases
=> rotating field
(Field Winding or permanent
magnet poles on the Rotor)

6 Wrtsil 28.1.2001 / John Shibutani ABB Industry Oy

 Synchronous generator theory

Synchronous generator is a rotating machine

whose speed of rotation is fixed to the ratio
of the supply frequency and the number of
pole pairs.

n = 60 x f / p speed (rpm)
f frequency (Hz)
p number of pole pairs

Possible base speeds at 50 Hz

frequency

number speed/
of poles rpm
4 1500
6 1000
8 750
10 600
12 500
14 428
7 Wrtsil 28.1.2001 / John Shibutani ABB Industry Oy
 Synchronous generator theory

Synchronous generator at no-load

Rotating, magnetized rotor pole will create magnetic flux
through conductors of stator coil
Voltage will be induced to each conductor of the coil
Multiplied by the number of effective turns, the number
of coil sides within a coil group and number of series
connected coil groups a rated voltage will be generated
in the generator terminals
Synchronous generator at reactive load
The current being at 90phase angle (angle between voltage and current) with the
voltage will create magnetic flux in the same axis as field current => No active power is
needed to rotate generator except losses of the generator
Phase angle +90(current behind the voltage) => ind uctive load
Phase angle -90(current ahead the voltage) => capa citive load
Inductive current creates flux affecting opposite direction to flux created by field winding =>
in order to prevent voltage decreasing, field current shall be increased
Capacitive current creates flux affecting same direction to flux created by field winding =>
in order to prevent voltage rising, field current shall be decreased

8 Wrtsil 28.1.2001 / John Shibutani ABB Industry Oy

 Synchronous generator theory

Synchronous generator at active load

Creates flux which affects in the axis between field poles
Caused by the effect of the crosswise flux created by the
active current the rotor of the generator will turn away
from its no-load position to a new position at an angle of
(pole angle)
In order to keep the speed the shaft power produced by
diesel engine shall be increased

Generator connected with network

Voltage and frequency is determined by network
Reactive power can be controlled by adjusting field current
Active power can be controlled by adjusting diesel engines shaft torque

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 Synchronous generator theory

Type: AMG 1600SR12 DSEA

Sn: 21281 kVA cos: 0.80 Tn: 406437 Nm

Un: 11000 V n: 500 rpm In: 1117 A
f: 50 Hz

P / Q -DIAGRAM
1. Constant (nominal) stator current 4. Stability limit

2. Constant (nominal) excitation current 5. Nominal phase angle Cos

3. Minimum excitation current 6. 100% diesel output

kW
35000

2 30000

4 25000

20000
1
6
15000

10000

3 5
5000

0
-30000 -20000 -10000 0 10000 20000 30000 kVAr

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 Synchronous generator theory

Control methods for diesel power plants

Island System

On ships and power plants which are isolated from other systems; mine sites and small
islands
System voltage is determined by generators and their voltage control system
Generator reactive load varies depending on system loading
Control method is voltage control with or without droop and with or without cross-current
compensation

Utility System

Base load stations

System voltage is determined by the utility, generators usually cannot affect the voltage
Control method is power factor control or reactive power control

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 Synchronous generator theory

Voltage control mode

Voltage control without droop can be used for single generator when generator shall
only maintain the terminal voltage at pre-set value
Voltage droop control is a universal, flexible control method, which can be used in
single unit operation, in parallel operation with other units in an island system or in
parallel operation with the rigid utility - due to voltage droop, the line voltage drops with
increasing reactive power

G1 G2

Droop = X % Droop = 2*X %

Q1=2*Q2

Q1 Q2

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 Synchronous generator theory

Voltage control mode (cross-current compensation)

In island system voltage droop can be compensated by using cross-current

compensation => line voltage will not change as a function of reactive load
All generators shall be provided by identical AVRs and it is allowed to have only one
ccc-loop in one island network
G1 & G2 AVR1 AVR2
reactive power
balanced 2A 2A
G1 & G2 0A 0A
Reactive power
imbalance

G1 G2

3A 2A 2A 1A

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 Synchronous generator theory

Power factor / reactive power control mode

Power factor control keeps the angle constant regardless of the output P
Reactive power control keeps the reactive power constant regardless of the output P
Power factor control and reactive power control modes are possible only when a generator is
connected to a larger power system, where other synchronous machines (big majority of output)
determine voltage and can absorb reactive power.
Note! before synchronizing to the network, the generator must always operate in voltage control
mode
p.f. = 1 p.f. = 1

P / kW P / kW

VAr - setting
p.f. setting

Generator Generator
Generator Generator
underexcited overexcited
underexcited
overexcited

p.f. = 0 (leading) p.f. = 0 (lagging) p.f. = 0 (leading) p.f. = 0 (lagging)

Q / kVAr (Cap.) Q / kVAr (Ind.) Q / kVAr (Cap.) Q / kVAr (Ind.)

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 Synchronous generator theory

Synch. Generator - Design and Dimensioning

Power: The Generator has to be dimensioned so, that it is able to produce the
required apparent (SN) power without warming too much.
Frequency & Speed: With equal power, the slower the speed, the bigger generator
is needed. In other words, the needed Torque defines the size. Speed affects also to
the mechanical design of the rotor.
Voltage level: Defines the insulation class of the winding as well as air insulation
distances. The more insulation in slots -> less space for copper.
Insulation classes: 0..1kV, 1.1..3.4kV, 3.5..4.2kV, 4.3..7.2kV, 7.3..11.5kV,
11.6..13.8kV, 13.9..15kV.

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 Synchronous generator theory

Synch. Generator - Design and Dimensioning

Temperature rise: While running in the rated operation point, the temperatures in the
generator has to be according to the temperature class.
Max. temperature of the winding: 120C (class B), 140C (class F)
Cooling method: Direct air cooling or Water cooling. With water cooling, the
temperature of cooling air typically higher with equal ambient temperature.
Transient Reactance's: Especially in Marine applications. Affects to the Voltage
variations in the generator terminals & Short circuit current. The lower the transient
reactance, the lower are the voltage variations.

16 Wrtsil 28.1.2001 / John Shibutani ABB Industry Oy

 Synchronous generator theory

Synch. Generator - Design and Dimensioning

Other (in case other than IEC34 values are required):

Over current requirements
Unbalanced loading
Installation altitude
etc.

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 Synchronous generator theory

Summary

The operation based on the interaction between two windings: Stator (3-phase) and
Rotor (DC)
Rotational speed & frequency of the network defines the number of poles
In reactive load (inductive or capacitive), no active power is needed
Operation area defined with PQ-diagram
Different control methods: Island & Utility
Design factors: Power, Voltage, Speed & Frequency, Temp. rise class, Cooling,
Voltage variation, ...

18 Wrtsil 28.1.2001 / John Shibutani ABB Industry Oy