Comparative Analysis of Stand-Alone and Grid Connected

Synchronous Generator on Different load

Abdin
Department of Electrical Engineering, BUITEMS Quetta.
Abstract: Synchronous generator is the most widely used machine for electric power generation. Its field is excited by
an external DC source and is rotated by a mechanical prime mover. Three phase electrical power is taken from stationary
stator winding called armature. Synchronous generator is used in stand-alone system and also in interconnected system to
supply electrical power to the consumer load. Electrical load always requires constant voltage and constant frequency.
Generated voltage is the function of field excitation, turbine speed, and dependent of load connected to synchronous
generator. Generated frequency is the function of turbine speed. At constant turbine speed we get constant frequency. This
paper present characteristics of synchronous generator at different load and with grid connected at constant voltage and
constant frequency.
A) Stand-Alone Synchronous Generator on Resistive load:
For stand-alone characteristics we used a synchronous machine as generator, a dc shunt motor as turbine, variable dc
voltage for its field excitation and a three phase variable resistive load. We need fixed terminal voltage and frequency at
load site. Table 1 shows the readings for different resistive load.
Table.1 Different Resistive Load on Stand-Alone Synchronous Generator
Voltage Change Current Power Reactive Apparent Cosθ Speed Change Frequency Change in Excitation
(V) in (mA) (P) Power Power (rpm) in (Hz) Frequency Current
Voltage (W) (Q) (S) Speed (Hz) (mA)
(V) (VAR) (VA) (rpm)
380 0 0 0 0 0 - 3000 - 50 - 225
380 370 200 135 0 135 1 3000 2990 50 49.8 240
380 375 300 194 0 194 1 3000 2995 50 49.9 250
380 370 500 325 0 325 1 3000 2990 50 49.8 260
380 373 740 488 0 488 1 3000 2990 50 49.8 300
380 265 1016 673 0 673 1 3000 2980 50 49.7 350
At this position when load is suddenly disconnected
- 490 0 0 0 0 - 3500 - - 58 350
Table 1 shows that by increasing resistive load, terminal voltage and frequency changes. To maintained the constant voltage
at load site we have to adjust field excitation [1]. The graph shows the relation of field excitation current and load at constant
terminal voltage.

800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0

Terminal Voltage (V) Load (W) Field Excitation Current (mA)

Graph.1 Different Resistive Load on Stand-Alone Synchronous Generator

To maintain constant frequency, we have to set the turbine speed constant [2]. By increasing load, speed decreases slightly.
To get the constant frequency we increase turbine input power. When we suddenly remove the load, speed, frequency and
terminal voltage increased to its maximum value [3].
 B) Stand-Alone Synchronous Generator on Inductive Load:
Table 2 shows the readings of synchronous generator at on inductive load.
Table.2 Different Inductive Load on Stand-Alone Synchronous Generator
Voltage Change Current Power Reactive Apparent Cos(θ) Speed Change Frequency Change in Excitation
(V) in (mA) (P) Power Power (rpm) in (Hz) Frequency Current
Voltage (W) (Q) (S) Speed (Hz) (mA)
(V) (VAR) (VA) (rpm)
380 0 0 0 0 0 - 3000 - 50 - 225
380 370 138 8 91 92 0.092 3000 3000 50 50 250
380 378 200 11 128 129 0.082 3000 2995 50 49.9 260
380 365 351 17 229 230 0.073 3000 2995 50 49.9 300
380 360 514 22 328 329 0.065 3000 2990 50 49.8 350
380 265 740 28 480 491 0.058 3000 2990 50 49.8 400
At this position when load is suddenly disconnected
- 530 0 0 0 0 - 3600 - - 60 400
Table 2 shows that by increasing inductive load change in terminal voltage is more rapped than resistive load and frequency
is varied slightly lower value than resistive load. As load is inductive, Power factor is approximately zero and as compare
to real power watt reactive power Var is very high. To maintained the constant voltage at load site we have to adjust field
excitation. The graph 2 shows the relation of field excitation current and load at constant terminal voltage.

600

500

400

300

200

100

Terminal Voltage (V) Load (W)

Field Excitation Current (mA) Reactive Power (VAR)

Graph.2 Different Inductive Load on Stand-Alone Synchronous Generator

Graph 2 shows that to maintained constant terminal voltage at increasing inductive load we have to change field excitation
current. While at inductive load frequency change slightly, to keep frequency constant we increased turbine input. By
removing the load voltage and frequency increased instantly.
 C) Stand-Alone Synchronous Generator on Capacitive Load:
Table 3 shows the readings of synchronous generator at on capacitive load
Voltage Change Current Power Reactive Apparent Cos(θ) Speed Change Frequency Change in Excitation
(V) in (mA) (P) Power Power (rpm) in (Hz) Frequency Current
Voltage (W) (Q) (S) Speed (Hz) (mA)
(V) (VAR) (VA) (rpm)
380 0 0 0 0 0 - 3000 - 50 - 225
380 400 150 0 -90 90 0 3000 3000 50 50 190
380 390 213 0 -130 130 0 3000 3000 50 50 160
380 400 350 0 -229 220 0 3000 3000 50 50 140
380 450 577 0 -370 370 0 3000 3000 50 50 75
380 430 750 0 -470 470 0 3000 3000 50 50 50
At this position when load is suddenly disconnected
- 80 0 0 0 0 - 3000 - - 50 50

Table 3 shows the readings of generator at pure capacitive load. By increasing capacitive load terminal voltage increases
and there is no effect of capacitive load on frequency. Reactive load is drawing negative reactive power and power factor is
zero. To maintain terminal voltage, we decreased field excitation current. When we disconnect capacitive load voltage
dropped to dangerously low value [4].

500
400
300
200
100
0
-100
-200
-300
-400
-500
-600

Terminal Voltage (V) Load (W)

Field Excitation Current (mA) Reactive Power (VAR)

Graph.3 Synchronous Generator on Capacitive Load

Graph 3 shows that pure capacitive load draws zero active power and provide reactive power. In capacitive load case
alternator receive reactive power so its terminal voltage rises instead of decreasing. To maintained its terminal voltage, we
decreased field excitation current while there is no effect of capacitive load on frequency and speed. At maximum capacitive
load when we instantly disconnect the load, terminal voltage dropped to its minimum vale as shown in graph 3.
 D) Stand-Alone Synchronous Generator on Mixed Load:
Table 4 Shows the Readings of Synchronous Generator on Mixed Load
Voltage Change Current Power Reactive Apparent Cos(θ) Speed Change Frequency Change in Excitation
(V) in (mA) (P) Power Power (rpm) in (Hz) Frequency Current
Voltage (W) (Q) (S) Speed (Hz) (mA)
(V) (VAR) (VA) (rpm)
380 0 0 0 0 0 - 3000 - 50 - 225
380 375 263 143 90 170 0.846 3000 3000 50 50 260
380 370 364 206 130 244 0.846 3000 2995 50 49.9 300
380 370 470 211 225 308 0.68 3000 2995 50 49.9 325
380 368 602 216 334 398 0.534 3000 2995 50 49.9 360
380 365 900 350 480 594 0.588 3000 2990 50 49.8 440
At this position when load is suddenly disconnected
- 560 0 0 0 0 - 3300 - - 55 440

Table 4 shows the reading of generator at mixed load. By increasing mixed load, generator provides active and reactive
power at a power factor at about 0.8. when we increase load terminal voltage and slightly effect the speed and frequency.
To maintain frequency, we increased turbine input and to maintained voltage we increased field excitation.

600

500

400

300

200

100

Terminal Voltage (V) Load (W)

Field Excitation Current (mA) Reactive Power (VAR)

Graph 4. Synchronous Generator on Mixed Load

Graph 4 shows that by increasing mixed load, generator provides both active and reactive power. By increasing the load
terminal voltage dropped and to maintained terminal voltage we increased field excitation current. With increasing load
speed slightly decreases and it effects frequency to reduce slightly. To maintain frequency, we increased turbine input.
When we suddenly remove the load, active and reactive power deceased to zero and terminal voltage increased up to 560V
which is dangerously high voltage for our system.
 E) Grid connected Synchronous Generator:
Table 5 Shows the Reading of Synchronous Generator with Grid Connected.
Voltage Change Current Power Reactive Apparent Cos(θ) Speed Change Frequency Change in Excitation
(V) in (mA) (P) Power Power (rpm) in (Hz) Frequency Current
Voltage (W) (Q) (S) Speed (Hz) (mA)
(V) (VAR) (VA) (rpm)
Turbine input constant at increasing field excitation current
380 380 401 43 27 34 0.734 3000 3000 50 50 260
380 380 540 53 121 136 0.44 3000 3000 50 50 300
380 380 730 40 266 270 0.252 3000 3000 50 50 350
380 380 950 56 409 411 0.154 3000 3000 50 50 400
380 380 1117 42 535 536 0.97 3000 3000 50 49.9 450
Increasing turbine input at constant field excitation current
380 380 816 380 149 417 0.907 3000 3000 50 50 350
380 380 1130 690 0 700 1 3000 3000 50 50 350
At this position when load is suddenly disconnected
- 480 0 0 0 0 - 3600 - - 60 350

Table 5 shows the readings of synchronous generator with grid connected. Firstly, we fixed the turbine input and increased
the excitation current and note the readings and then we fixed the excitation and changed the turbine input and record the
readings

600

500

400

300

200

100

Terminal Voltage (V) Load (W)

Field Excitation Current (mA) Reactive Power (VAR)

Graph 5. Fixed turbine input with variable field excitation current

Graph 5 shows that, at fixed turbine input and increasing field excitation current of synchronous generator, voltage, active
power and frequency of generator remains same but with increasing field excitation current alternator provides more reactive
power (Var) [5]. As shown in graph 5.
 800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

Terminal Voltage (V) Load (W)

Field Excitation Current (mA) Reactive Power (VAR)

Graph 6. Variable turbine input and fixed excitation

Graph 6 shows that, at increasing turbine input and fixed field excitation current of synchronous generator, voltage and
frequency of generator remains same but with increasing turbine input alternator provides more active power (Watt) and
with increasing turbine input reactive power (Var) goes at zero at unity power factor. As shown in graph 5. When we
disconnect alternator with grid at loaded condition active and reactive power goes at zero and voltage and frequency
increases as shown in graph 6.

Results:
1. Voltage of synchronous generator is proportional to its field excitation and speed of its prime mover at stand-alone
condition.
2. On resistive load voltages and frequency decreases with increasing load at constant (unity) power factor at stand-
alone condition.
3. On inductive load voltages and frequency decreases with increasing load at lagging power factor at stand-alone
condition.
4. Voltage is controlled by increasing field excitation current at stand-alone condition.
5. Frequency is controlled by increasing turbine input at stand-alone condition.
6. Voltage and frequency of synchronous generator are constant with grid connected condition.
7. By increasing field excitation current synchronous generator provides more reactive power (Var) at constant voltage
and frequency with grid connected condition.
8. By increasing turbine input synchronous generator provides more active power at constant voltage and frequency
with grid connected condition.

References:

[1] R. Rossa, "Field-circuit analysis of load characteristics of stand-alone PM synchronous generator connected to R-L
type load," IEEE, 2008 18th International Conference on Electrical Machines.
[2] W. Zhan and Z. Wu, "Virtual Synchronous Generator Design Method Based on Stable Voltage and Frequency of the
Machine," IEEE, 2016 8th International Conference on Intelligent Human-Machine Systems and Cybernetics
(IHMSC).

[3] C. Mudannayake and M. Rahman, "A study of the transient behavior of a 42 V prototype integrated starter
alternator for sudden load changes," IEEE, 30th Annual Conference of IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, 2004.
IECON 2004.

[4] M. A. K. A. Biabani, M. Akram and I. A. Shareef, "Power system stability enhancement using static synchronous
series compensator," IEEE, 2016 International Conference on Signal Processing, Communication, Power and
Embedded System (SCOPES).

[5] S. Bayhan, H. Fidanboy and S. Demirbas, "Active and reactive power control of grid connected permanent magnet
synchronous generator in wind power conversion system," IEEE, 2013 International Conference on Renewable
Energy Research and Applications (ICRERA).