Tm + 1 Ȧ

- 2Hs
Te

Fig. 1 Block Diagram

Here is one example of the use of this equation: considering H=4.5 kW.s/kVA for a generator motor of
206 MVA – 300 rpm to be started as motor and accelerated from standstill to rated speed in 180 s from
one static frequency converter, we could find out the accelerating torque necessary for staring this
motor.

T= Tm –Te= Constant

Then, equation 3 results in:

T˜t
Z
2˜H

When Ȧ=1, after 180 sec., the acceleration time shall be complied with. From the above equation, T
results in 0.05 pu. It means that the capacity of Static Frequency Converter Te shall be defined in order
to produce an accelerating torque of T of 0,05 pu compensating, at the same time, the loss that is
present during the process ( friction, windage, joule stator, joule rotor, etc)

4. INFLUENCE OF THE INERTIA ON COST AND EFFICIENCY

Recent investigation [8] shows that GD2 has influence on the loss and efficiency with a general
tendency to decrease the level of efficiency as GD2 is increased.
The minimum necessary value of inertia is generally indicated in the technical specifications of a
project. The specified inertia generally comes from estimations achieved, considering the impact of
the new unit on the power system and on the hydraulic conditions of the project. Achieving maximum
values of over pressure in the penstock and over speed of the unit sets a minimum of inertia, which for
hydro applications, is mostly concentrated on the generator rotor.

The requirement of a high GD2 with regards to the Natural GD2 will lead to a cost increase of the
generator [10]. In this current analysis, three cases were studied considering hydro generators of low,
medium and high rated speed.

In each case the analysis was carried out bearing in mind the following considerations:

- It is a new project with no restrictions in the definition of air-gap diameter of the unit.
- Steps of 10% of the natural GD2 ranging from 100% to 180% are the objectives of
dimensioning. The dimensioning of the unit and the resulting cost for each GD2 step were
calculated using the ARGEN program [4].
- Correlations between the different cases studied were investigated in order to identify common
characteristics and differences.
- All the analysed scenarios where calculated keeping the efficiency constant as the GD2
changed.

The results show that the cost variation originated by a GD2 variation is approximately linear with the
rated speed, and it can be characterized by equation 4.