McGill

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

ECSE 461 – Electric Machinery

Winter 2020

Assignment # 4 – Synchronous machines

A pumped storage facility uses a 6.6 kV, 60 Hz, 4200 kVA, 3360 kW, 10 pole, three-phase
synchronous machine, with a synchronous reactance of 1.13 pu. Assume a cylindrical rotor. The
hydro turbine is rated 3500 kW. All losses are neglected.
1. Hydro generator capabilities
(a) Compute the hydro turbine speed to obtain a 60 Hz output; the range of the power factor of the
generator; the rated line current. Compute the value of synchronous reactance in ohm.
(b) Draw the per-phase equivalent circuit. Assume Y-connected generator windings. Present and
explain the functions of the hydro turbine and generator controls.
2. The machine, connected to the 6.6 kV grid, operates as a generator.
(a) The turbine mechanical input power is set to 3360 kW and the reactive power to 0. Compute
the internal voltage (Ea) and the power angle (); the generator current (Ia) and electrical angle;
the reactive power supplied by the generator. Draw the V-I phasor diagram, the power diagram
and the P- plot, indicating the operating point, and maximum power.
(b) Repeat for a mechanical power set to 3360 kW, power factor 0.80 (lagging current).
(c) Repeat for a mechanical power set to 3360 kW, power factor 0.9 (leading current).
(d) Repeat for a mechanical power of 0, reactive power set to rated kVA (lagging current).
3. The machine is connected to the 6.6 kV grid and drives the turbine as a pump, pumping water
back into the upper reservoir.
(a) The pump draws rated power with a power factor set to 1.0. Compute the internal voltage (Ea)
and the power angle (); the grid current and electrical angle. Indicate the reactive power
supplied. Draw the V-I phasor diagram, the power diagram and the P- plot, indicating the
operating point and maximum power.
(b) Repeat for the pump drawing rated power, operating at rated kVA and supplying reactive
power (leading current).
4. Tabulate the results obtained in Questions 2 and 3, indicating for each operating mode,
generator terminal voltage, current, Ea, P, Q, pf, , on a 3 phase basis.
(a) Plot on the same phasor diagram (per phase), the results of Questions 2(a) and 3(a). Indicate
the relationship between terminal and internal voltages in motor and generator modes.
(b) Plot on the same (P,) curves, the results of Question 2(a), (b) and (c). Indicate the
relationship between load angle, output power and reactive power. Indicate the impact of the
reactive power on the maximum power of the machine.
(c) Plot on the same phasor diagram (per phase), the results of Questions 2(a), (b) and (c). Plot
the relationship between the internal voltage (field current) and the current and reactive power.

ECSE 461 Joos, G.