GOVERNING SYSTEM: OVERVIEW

Dr M.S.R.Murty
INTRODUCTION
Governing system is an important control system in the power plant as it regulates the turbine
speed, power and participates in the grid frequency regulation. For starting, loading governing
system is the main operator interface. Steady state and dynamic performance of the power
system depends on the power plant response capabilities in which governing system plays a
key role. With the development of electro- hydraulic governors, processing capabilities have
been enhanced but several adustable parameters have been provided. ! thorough
understanding of the governing process is necessary for such adustment.
"n this paper an overview of the steam turbine governing system is given. #he role of
governing system in frequency control is also discussed.
BASIC GOVERNING SCHEME
Need for gover!g "y"te#
#he load on a turbine generating unit does not remain constant and can vary as per consumer
requirement. #he mismatch between load and generation results in the speed $or frequency%
variation. When the load varies, the generation also has to vary to match it to keep the speed
constant. #his ob is done by the governing system. Speed which is an indicator of the
generation & load mismatch is used to increase or decrease the generation.
B$"!% "%&e#e
Governing system controls the steam flow to the turbine in response to the control signals like
speed error, power error. "t can also be configured to respond to pressure error. "t is a closed
loop control system in which control action goes on till the power mismatch is reduced to
'ero.
!s shown in the basic scheme given in Fig. (, the inlet steam flow is controlled by the control
valve or the governor valve. "t is a regulating valve. #he stop valve shown in the figure ahead
of control valve is used for protection. "t is either closed or open. "n emergencies steam flow
is stopped by closing this valve by the protective devices.
#he governing process can be functionally e)pressed in the form of signal flow block diagram
shown in Fig.*. #he electronic part output is a voltage or current signal and is converted into a
hydraulic pressure or a piston position signal by the electro- hydraulic converter $+,-%. Some
designs use high pressure servo valves. #he control valves are finally operated by hydraulic
control valve servo motors.
(
#he steam flow through the control valve is proportional to the valve opening in the operating
range. So when valve position changes, turbine steam flow changes and turbine power output
also changes proportionally. #hus governing system changes the turbine mechanical power
output.
"n no load unsynchroni'ed condition, all the power is used to accelerate the rotor only $after
meeting rotational losses% and hence the speed changes. #he rate of speed change is governed
by the inertia of the entire rotor system. "n the grid connected condition, only power pumped
into the system changes when governing system changes the valve opening.
Grid
.eference
S# / stream
G / generator
S0 / stop valve
-0
S0
Steam
Speed
1ower
G20+.3"3G
S4S#+5
3
S
#
-0 / control
'!g. ( STEAM TURBINE GOVERNING SCHEME
S
1
+
+
6
)
0alve
1osition
S+#
12"3#
-
5echanical
1ower
)
G20+.32. #7.8"3+
.2#2.
"3+.#"!
'!g * GOVERNING SYSTEM 'UNCTIONA+ B+OC, DIAGRAM
*
When the turbine generator unit is being started, governing system controls the speed
precisely by regulating the steam flow. 2nce the unit is synchroni'ed to the power system
grid, same control system is used to load the machine. !s the connected system has very large
inertia $9infinite bus:%, one machine cannot change the frequency of the grid. 8ut it can
participate in the power system frequency regulation as part of a group of generators that are
used for automatic load frequency control. $!;F-%.
!s shown in the block diagram, the valve opening changes either by changing the reference
setting or by the change in speed $or frequency%. #his is called -r!#$ry regu.$t!o. #he
reference setting can also be changed remotely by power system load frequency control. #his
is called "e%od$ry regu.$t!o. 2nly some generating units in a power system may be used
for secondary regulation.
.
E+ECTRO HYDRAU+IC GOVERNING SYSTEM
8asically the controls can be described as i% speed control when the machine is not connected
to the grid or in isolation and ii% load control when the machine is connected to the grid.
#he governing system has three functional parts/ i% sensing part ii% processing part and iii%
amplification. #hese functions are reali'ed using a set of electronic, hydraulic and mechanical
elements, in the electro-hydraulic governor $+,G%, as shown in Fig. <.
+arlier, only mechanical-hydraulic elements were employed in mechanical-hydraulic
governor $5,G%. With the developments in electronics technology, the microprocessor- based
and digital signal processor $6S1% based governors are being offered by various
manufacturers.
Se"!g: to sense speed and power $or 5W%. #he well known fly ball governor is a
mechanical speed sensor which converts speed signal in to a mechanical movement signal.
Steam
G
= !ctuation of 0alve
$Servomotor%
= ,ydraulic
!mplification
Speed
>
5W
= 1rimary
!mplification
= Sensing
= 1rocessing
+lectro-hydraulic
-onverter
-ontrol
0alve
+
,

,46.!;"-
1!.#
S
#
3
+;+-#.
23"-
1!.#
'!g / E+ECTRO 0 HYDRAU+IC GOVERNOR SCHEME
<
3owadays electronic sensors using ,all +ffect principle and?or hydraulic sensor $a special
pump whose output pressure varies with pump speed linearly% is used for speed measurement.
1ro%e""!g: to evolve the desired valve opening command signal/ proportional $1% or
proportional integral $1"% or proportional integral derivative $1"6% or a combination of these.
"n digital governors the processing is done using software blocks.
A#-.!f!%$t!o is necessary to obtain sufficient power to operate the steam control valve
$where forces due to steam pressure also act%
S-eed %otro..er $d .o$d %otro..er
"n the era of mechanical- hydraulic governors $5,G%, the control action is mainly
proportional. #hat is valve opening command is ust proportional to the speed error. "n the
isolated operation where speed control is active and in the inter connected operation where
power output or 5W only is controlled same control action is present. "n the electronic
governors it has become easier to reali'e comple) control logic. Separate control actions are
incorporated for speed control and load control, as shown in Fig. @.
Speed control loop demands additional capability to dampen the speed oscillations. #his is
obtained using so called proportional derivative $16% controller. "n this the valve opening
command is proportional to the rate of change $or derivative% of the error also. #his can
improve the dynamic response considerably.
;oad control loop deals only with 5W error, which is obtained using a 5W- transducer and is
mainly a proportional integral $1"% controller. #his loop is active when the steam turbine
generator is connected to the grid.
#here is a selection logic which decides which control loop should prevail.
Me%&$!%$. &ydr$u.!% goveror $" 2$%3u-
!s mentioned earlier mechanical hydraulic governor comprising hydraulic speed sensor,
primary amplification devices $called follow up pistons% are provided as backup to the electro
hydraulic governor $+,G% in 8,+; & AW7 sets.
0!;0+
21+3"3G
-255!36
0
0
;oad
Speed
B
B
;oad
.ef.
Speed
.ef.
S1++6
-23#.2;;+.
$161%
;2!6
-23#.2;;+.
$ -1 " %
S+;+-#"23
;2G"-
$5"3 & 5!C%
'!g 4 S1EED CONTRO++ER AND +OAD CONTRO++ER IN EHG
@
#he +,G system and 5,G system will be continuously generating command signals for the
governor valve opening. 3ormally both will have the same value. #here is a 9minimum logic:
provided hydraulically $called hydraulic minimum%. !ccording to this whichever calls for
lesser valve opening will prevail. "n this way in case there is a failure in electronic part
mechanical governing system will take over. #he turbine can be run with 5,G alone.

"t may be noted that 5,Gs are functioning reliably in several power stations in "ndia for
more than thirty years.

1ER'ORMANCE AS1ECTS
Regu.$t!o or droo- %&$r$%ter!"t!%
Whenever there is a mismatch in power, speed changes. !s seen earlier, the governing system
senses this speed change and adusts valve opening which in turn changes power output. #his
action stops once the power mismatch is made 'ero. 8ut the speed error remains. What should
be the change in power output for a change in speed is decided by the 9regulation:. "f @ D
change in speed causes (EE D change in power output, then the regulation is said to be @ D
$or in per unit E.E@%.
#he regulation can be e)pressed in the form of power & frequency characteristic as shown in
Fig. F. !t (EE D load the generation is also (EE D, frequency $or speed% is also (EED. When
load reduces frequency increases, as generation remains the same. When load reduces by GE
D, frequency increases by * D, in the characteristic shown. When load reduces by (EE D,
frequency increases by @ D. "n other words @ D rise in frequency should reduce power
generation by (EE D. #his @ D is called 9droop: of @ D. #he characteristic is of 9drooping:
type. 6roop or regulation is an important parameter in the frequency regulation. "n thermal
power plants droop value is generally @ D or G D.

,ydraulic
5inimum
+lectro & ,ydraulic -ontroller
5echanical & ,ydraulic
-ontroller
0!;0+
21+3"3G
-255!36
+ , -
5 , -
5
"
3
'!g 5 MECHANICA+ HYDRAU+IC GOVERNOR AS BAC,U1
G
"n terms of control system steady state gain it is e)pressed as inverse of droop/ gain of *G in
per unit corresponds to @ D $or E.E@ p.u% droop.
Tr$"!et -erfor#$%e
#he governing system, as noted earlier is a closed loop control system. Stability is an
important parameter in any feedback control system. Stability and speed of response depend
on the signal modifications done by various blocks in the loop. #he closed loop gain depends
on the individual block gains and the adustable gains provided in the speed controller and
load controller. #he gain at the steady state and during the transient is important in deciding
the performance. "f the gain is not proper there can be hunting in the system as shown in Fig.
H. 0arious parameters like speed, power, valve opening will be oscillating continuously and
may ultimately result in the trip of the turbine.
Frequency
$,'%
GE
G*
@D 6rop
;oad
ED GED (EED
'!g 6 REGU+ATION OR DROO1 CHARACTERSTIC
#ime $Sec%
Speed
$D%
7nstable
2scillatory
$,unting%
'!g 7 TY1ICA+ S1EED HUNTING TRANSIENT
F
+!ft8 f.o9 %&$r$%ter!"t!%
!n important characteristic that decides the loop gain is the valve lift versus flow
characteristic. 6ue to the nature of design, this characteristic is nonlinear. #hough
lineari'ation is done either in the forward path or reverse path using mechanical cam, the gain
introduced is different at low openings. #he effective closed loop gain is less resulting in less
damping capability at low loads.
Tr$"!et "-eed r!"e
Governing system maintains the turbine speed as set by the reference. When there are
disturbances, the response should be quick otherwise speed may continue to deviate. #ransient
speed rise $#S.% is one important criterion that is used to udge the response capability of the
governing system. ;oad throw off or load reection is a maor disturbance. When the #G unit
is running at full load, if the circuit breaker opens, load is cut off. #he full load steam flow
causes the rotor to accelerate. #he steam inflow is to be cutoff as soon as possible. "t cannot
be done instantaneously as the hydro mechanical elements take certain time to respond. Speed
shoots up and then falls gradually due to the closure of control valve, as shown in Fig. I. #he
peak value of speed is called transient speed rise $#S.%.
+ven when the control valves are closed steam remaining in the steam volumes of reheater
piping, turbine cylinders $9entrained steam:% continue to do the work and increase the speed
for few seconds.

#here is an e#erge%y goveror provided to stop the turbine if the speed crosses its setting,
usually ((* D. #he standards specify that the #S. value should be less than the emergency
governor setting. #hat means when there is a full load throw-off, governing system should act
fast so that turbine does not trip.
#here are other devices provided in the governing system which help in minimi'ing transient
speed rise like load shedding relay $;S.% which cause feed forward action to close governing
valves before speed variation is sensed by the speed transducer.
I 1 tur2!e %otro. .oo-
;oad
(EED
#ime$sec%
t
(EED
ED
Speed
$D%
#S.
$F - (ED%
@D 6roop
'!g : +OAD RE;ECTION RES1ONSE SHOWING TRANSIENT S1EED RISE <TSR=
H
"n large steam turbines steam after reheater enters intermediate pressure $"1% turbine through
another set of stop valves $called interceptor valves% and control valves, as shown in Fig. J.
3ormally small load variations are met by regulating steam admission in ,1 turbine only. 8ut
,1 turbine generates only about <E D of the total power output $"1 turbine about @G D and ;1
turbine the rest%. So when large changes in generation is to be brought, "1 control valves are
also regulated through separate sets of electro-hydraulic elements, as shown in Fig. (E below.
"n fact "1 control action significantly reduces the transient speed rise.
Goveror !"e"!t!v!ty or de$d 2$d
#he governing system action depends on speed sensing. #here is a minimum value of speed
which cannot be picked by the sensing mechanism and hence may remain uncorrected. #his
minimum value is called governor insensitivity or dead band. #he characteristic is shown in
Fig. ((.
.eheater
"1-0
,1-0
Stream
-ondenser
;1#
,
1
#
"
1
#
3
. ,
'!g > STREAM TURBINE SCHEME WITH H1 AND +1 1ARTS
#o
,1-0
#o
"1-0
Speed ? ;oad
-ontroller
2utput
+ , -$"1%
+ , - $"1%
Func-
tion
'!g.(? I1 TURBINE CONTRO+S
I
Sometimes due to wear and tear dead band increases over a period of time. #his is detrimental
to the frequency regulation. "n control system analysis, it is well known that dead band or
hysteresis in a closed loop causes instability or limit cycle oscillations. Governor hunting may
occur. !t the same time, governor should not react for very small changes in frequency, so
dead band is introduced intentionally in the electronic governor which is an adustable feature.
'REE GOVERNOR MODE O' O1ERATION
When frequency changes in the grid every #G unit reacts and adusts its generation as dictated
by power frequency or droop characteristic. For instance when frequency falls by E.( D,
generation has to be increased by *E D with droop of G D. "n "ndian situation most of the
generating units operate at their peak values and no additional generation is possible. With the
result many units do not increase their generation and load shedding is resorted to. "n some
cases, due to various operational reasons generating companies do not like to their machines
to respond, even though spare capacity is available. #he governing is bypassed. "f most of the
generating stations in a grid do not respond naturally, there is a danger of grid becoming
unstable also.
"n the recently approved Grid code it has been made mandatory for each generator to be
provided with capability to allow up to (EG D 5-.$ ma)imum continuous rating capacity%
generation whenever situation demands. #his is called Free Governor 5ode of operation
$FG52%. "t has been reported that after introduction of FG52, frequency profile has
improved considerably.
0alve
2pening
6ead band or insensitive 'one
Speed frequency
'!g (( DEAD BAND CHARACTERISTIC
J
INTER'ACE WITH OTHER SYSTEMS
Tur2!e $uto#$t!o -$%3$ge
#he governing system is part of comprehensive turbine automation package called +lectronic
!utomation system for steam turbines $+!S#%. #he governing system gets commands from
automatic turbine run up system $!#.S% and automatic synchroni'er during the starting and
synchroni'ation phase. #he rate of rise of speed $and load% is decided by turbine stress
evaluator $#S+% package.
#he process of regulation by governing system causes disturbances in steam pressure, drum
level, steam temperature, furnace draft etc., So the boiler control systems are also involved in
the governing process.
U!t Coord!$ted Cotro. "y"te#
#he 7nit coordinated control system $7--% or unit demand control system $76-% is used in
the recent 66-s of power plants. When a command is given for increasing or decreasing
power generation, 7-- generates command signals for boiler as well as turbine based on
various considerations like boiler storage time constant, boiler thermal stresses, availability of
au)iliaries etc., #he governing system thus interfaces with the 7--. "t is also referred to as
coordinated master control system $-5-% in some power plants. "n the 8,+;?!88 76-, the
command to change boiler generation and turbine power are simultaneously given. 8ut the
governing system actually receives the command after a time delay equivalent to the time
taken by the boiler to increase its generation. #his is shown by the steam flow coordinator
block in Fig. (*.
Auto#$t!% +o$d fre@ue%y Cotro. "y"te#
#he responsibility of maintaining grid frequency is given to !utomatic ;oad Frequency
-ontrol $!;F-% system or automatic generation control $!G-% system. Whenever there is a
mismatch between generation and load in a grid or an area of a power system $such as
.egional electricity 8oard in "ndia%, the grid frequency varies and !;F- gives commands to
adust the generation through the governing systems, as shown in Fig. (<. 6ue to the absence
of thermal rate limits hydro units are preferred. 8ut the generations of many large thermal
Governing
System
8oiler ;oad Set
1oint
#urbine
;oad
Set 1oint
$#;S1%
8;S1 to 8oiler combustion

-ontroller
#ime delay based on boiler
storage constant
7nit
;oad
Set 1oint
$7;S1%
7 6 -
S#+!5
F;2W
-2-2.6"3!#2.
#o
'!g (* UNIT DEMAND CONTRO+ SYSTEM INTER'ACE WITH
GOVERNING SYSTEM
(E
units are also increased? decreased. #he governing system must respond quickly for such
requests. #he load controller of electro hydraulic turbine control system has provision for
such interfacing.
CONC+USIONS
#he governing system plays an important role in the start up, synchroni'ation and loading of a
steam turbine generating unit. "t has to ensure stable and secure operation. With the
developments in technology, digital governors are increasingly being used. "n this paper a
process overview of the governing system is given. #hough 8,+;?AW7 design is mainly
dealt with, the concepts are applicable to the governing systems of other manufacturers also.
Set point
K
Generator
1ower
Frequency
#otal Generation
#otal
;oad
1rimary regulation
2ther m?c
#o
2ther
5achines
Set point
!rea
Freq-
uency
Secondary regulation
-
- B
B
B
B
K
K
K
!7#25!#"-
;2!6 .+L7+3-4
-23#.2;;+.
Governor #urbine
G."6
"3+.#"!
'!g (/ AUTOMATIC +OAD R'EAUENCY CONTRO+ SYSTEM
((