Large Turbo-Generators and

Auxiliary Systems
John Doyle
Generator Specialist, ESBI

7th December 2010

Agenda

• Generator Theory & Construction

• Generator Operation and Control
• Generator Auxiliary Systems
– Cooling
– Excitation
– Protection
Function of Large Turbo-Generator

• Convert Mechanical Power to Electrical Power

• Provide Voltage Control & Support to Electrical Grid
• Provide Transient Stability to Electrical Grid
Power Station

STEP-UP
TRANSFORMER

AUXILIARY
TRANSFORMER

TURBINE

GENERATOR AUXILIARY LOAD

D6

International Standards

• IEC 60034 parts 1 & 3 –

Rotating Electrical Machines

• IEEE Std. 50.3 – Synchronous

Generators
Slide 5

D6 1. Include picture of IEC

2. Check IEEE reference
Doyle_Jh, 16/09/2007
Rotating Electrical Machines

Machine Classification
• Function
– Generator
– Motor
• Shaft Speed
– Synchronous
– Asynchronous
• Rotor
– Cylindrical
– Salient Pole
Synchronous Generator Theory
Electro-Magnetic Principle 1
Rotor Body

Rotor Winding

Rotor Flux

A current flowing through a

conductor will set up a 0 10 20

magnetic field
TIME (ms)
Electro-Magnetic Principle 2
c
b’
BR Stator Voltage
N
a a’

0 10 20 a
S
b
c

c’ b

Time (ms)

Lines of flux crossing

conductor will generate
voltage – Faraday’s Law
Electro-Magnetic Principle 3
c
R + jX
b’
BR
N V
E Load
a a’

Equivalent Circuit
c’ b

E = EMF Voltage
V = Terminal Voltage
R + jX = Generator Impedance
Electro-Magnetic Principle 3
c R + jX
I
b’
BR
N V
E Load
a a’

Equivalent Circuit
c’ b

Synchronising Torque

Force is generated on current

carrying conductor in magnetic field.
Induced voltage will generate current
to oppose original force
Lenz Law – Armature Reaction
Generator Construction
Main Generator Components
Stator Core

• Main Magnetic Circuit

• Insulated Laminations to
Reduce Losses
• Supports Stator Winding
Main Generator Components
Stator Winding

• Main Current Carrying Part

• 3 Phase Distributed Winding
• External Phase and Neutral
Connections
Main Generator Components
Stator Winding
Main Generator Components
Rotor Core & Winding

• Transmits Mechanical Power from

Turbine – High Centrifugal Forces
• Main Magnetic Circuit
• DC Current – Excitation
• External Connection via Slip Rings
Main Generator Components
Rotor Shaft and Winding
Main Generator Components

Coolers
Bearings

Hydrogen Sealing Housing

Rotating Machine Types
Types of Machine
Salient Pole Configuration

• Hydro-Generators
• Wind Turbine Generators
• Large Motors
• Synchronous and Non-
Synchronous
• Lower Speed because Multi-
Pole
Types of Machine
Cylindrical Pole Configuration

• Large Thermal Generators

• Gas Turbine Generators
• 3000rpm & 1500rpm
– 2 pole => shaft speed
= 50 rev/sec
– 4 Pole => shaft speed
= 25 rev/sec
• Generally Synchronous Machines
Types of Machine
Asynchronous (Induction) Machine

• Simple Construction
• Rotor Speed ≠Electrical Frequency
• Squirrel Cage Rotor
• No External Rotor Connection
• Predominant Motor Technology
• Wind Turbine Generators
Types of Machine
Synchronous Machine

• Rotor Speed = Electrical Frequency / # Pole Pairs

• 3000rpm & 1500rpm shaft speed
• Wound Rotor Winding
• External Rotor Connection via Slip Rings for
Excitation, or
• Brushless (Rotating) Exciter
• Predominant Large Turbo-Generator Technology
Generator Auxiliary Systems
Generator Excitation

• Supply of variable DC current Excitation Transformer

to Rotor Winding
• Control of terminal voltage,
VAR and PF
• Ensure stable operation with VT
AC
network and other machines CB
AVR
• Field forcing subsequent to a CT
fault (transient stability) Controller

• Keep generator within normal

operation limits

Rotor Winding Converter

Static Excitation System

 Cooling System

Cooling Water
Air versus Hydrogen Cooling

Air Cooling Hydrogen Cooling

No Hydrogen Auxiliaries More Complex

Slightly Lower Efficiency •Gas System
Once Through or Enclosed •Purging System
Possible Contamination •Seal Oil System
Higher Efficiency
Better Dielectric Properties
Better Thermal Conductivity
Water Cooled Stator

• Water Flow through hollow bars

• De-ionised, low conductivity water
• Rotor and stator core cooled by hydrogen
• Large capacity generators (>600-700MW)
Stator Winding Cooling
Generator Cooling Technologies
WATER/HYDROGEN COOLED

DIRECT HYDROGEN

INDIRECT HYDROGEN

ENCLOSED AIR

ONCE-THROUGH AIR

50 100 200 500 1000 2000

MW
Generator Operation & Control
Lagging Operation

Current lags voltage

E
Voltage
Current
1 12 23 34 45 56 67 78 89 100 111 122 133 144 155 166 177
X.I

δ
V

Angle
∅ R.I

I
I R + jX

V Load
E
“over-excited” mode
Equivalent Circuit
Leading Operation
E
Current leads voltage

Voltage X.I
1 12 23 34 45 56 67 78 89 100 111 122 133 144 155 166 177
Current I

δ ∅
V R.I
Angle

I R + jX

V Load
E
“under-excited” mode
Equivalent Circuit
 Generator Capability
1. Stator Thermal Limit
MW
1.0 pu

Turbine Limit

MVA
L im
it

MVAR Leading MVAR Lagging

1.0 pu 1.0 pu
1. Stator Thermal Limit

• MVA rating = √3 VI
• Heat αI2R
• Rating Depends on Cooling Capacity, H2 pressure
• Higher rating for Lower Temperature & Higher H2 Pressure
• MW’s Limited by Turbine Output
• Limit monitored by stator winding temperature measurement
 Capability Curve
1. Stator Thermal Limit
MW

Rated pF = Rating Point

Turbine Limit

α IF
gth 2. Rotor Thermal Limit
Len

Φ
MVAR Leading MVAR Lagging

1.0 pu 1.0 pu
2. Rotor Thermal Limit

• Thermal Capacity of Rotor Winding

• Heat αI2R - Short Time Overload
• Excitation System Capability
• Rating Depends on Cooling Capacity, H2 pressure
• Higher rating for Lower Cold Gas Temperature & Higher H2 Pressure
• Over-Excitation Limit controller part of Excitation
 Capability Curve
1. Stator Thermal Limit
MW

Turbine Limit

2. Rotor Thermal Limit

3. Under Excitation Limit

MVAR Leading MVAR Lagging

1.0 pu 1.0 pu
3. Under Excitation Limit

• Two Limiting Factors

a. Generator Stability, i.e. excitation too low, or mechanical power too high
=> insufficient excitation to maintain synchronism
b. Stator Core Heating Effect
• Under-Excitation Limit controller part of Excitation

R + jX E

V X.I
Load
E I

δ ∅
Equivalent Circuit V R.I
 Capability Curve
1. Stator Thermal Limit
MW

Turbine Limit

2. Rotor Thermal Limit

Allowable Operating
3. Under Excitation Limit Region

MVAR Leading MVAR Lagging

1.0 pu 1.0 pu
 Generator Control

MW

Turbine Limit
I F1

2
IF

PF2

1
PF
MVAR Leading MVAR Lagging

1.0 pu 1.0 pu

VAR2 VAR1
 Generator Control

Power Factor Control Reactive Power Control

+P Cos phi = const

+P

-Q +Q

-Q +Q

Q = Qconst
-P

ϕ
Generator Control

Constant Voltage Control

• Excitation adjusted to
I R + jX
Maintain Constant
E V Load
Termination Voltage ‘V’
• Normal Control Mode
Equivalent Circuit • Provides Voltage Support
to Grid
Generator Protection
Generator Protection
• Protect against Damage to Generator and System
• Modern Relays – Numeric, Multi-Function
• Older Relays – Electro-mechanical Single-Function
• Complexity Related to Size and Importance of Generator
• Protection Priorities
– Reliable
– Selective
– Fast Acting
 General Protection Arrangement

CTs CTs
G

VT VT

NER
Relay 1 Relay 2

• Duplicate Multi-Function Relays

• CT & VT Connection
• Trip to CB’s and Turbine
 Differential Protection
Generator

CTs Ip Ip CTs

Is Is
NER

Diff Relay

• Primary Protection
• Selective – between CT’s
• Fast Acting
 Earth Fault Protection
Generator

VT

NER E/F Relay

IF

• Primary Protection Against Earth Fault

• Non-Selective – but limited within Earth Zone
• Fast Acting
 Overcurrent Protection
Generator

CTs

NER

O/C Relay

• Generally Back-up S/C Protection

• Non-selective
• Time Delayed
 Overvoltage Protection
Generator

VT
NER

O/V Relay

• Back-up AVR
• V/Hz Protection
Generator Protection
Protection Functions Application
Differential L-L & L-E short-circuit
Earth fault Stator L-E Earth Fault
Rotor L-E Earth Fault
Loss of excitation Protection against failure of AVR
Pole slipping Protects generator during transient faults
Overcurrent Back-up short circuit protection
Overvoltage Protection against failure of AVR
Protects windings and core (V/Hz)
Over/under-frequency Mechanical Turbine/Generator Protection
Impedance Back-up short circuit protection
Reverse Power Protects turbine and system
Negative Phase Sequence Detects Phase Imbalance, asymmetrical faults
Protects rotor body
Thank you

Questions?