GE Energy

Aero Energy
Division
Position Paper #48
Rev B
Date: February 26, 2009
.
16415 Jacintoport Blvd
Gas Turbine Load Sharing - Isochronous/Droop Modes Houston, TX 77015
USA

T 001-281-864-2803
F 001-281-864-2459

Introduction
GE Aero Energy gas turbine control systems can accommodate many types of load
sharing schemes. The most common mode of gas turbine governor load sharing is
droop when connected to utility grid system, or isochronous mode when connected to
dedicated plant load only. Another load sharing mode that is available is Isochronous
Load Sharing for operating multiple units connected to each other not connected to
utility grid system.

Description
Typical load sharing for base load plants or spinning reserve applications require ability
to connect to infinite bus – utility grid system via droop mode. For droop mode
applications and to provide good stability control the of the gas turbine speed, the
governor droop setting (FL Speed – NL Speed/ NL Speed) is typically configured at 5%.
For isochronous mode applications the frequency is set for 50 or 60 Hz, with little or no
deadband. Typical continuous operable range of the gas turbine frequency is +/- 2%
and for voltage is +/- 5%

Multiple like or unlike units can be configured to run in Isochronous Load Sharing mode
provided there are load sharing lines with external load share control devices and/or
Isochronous load sharing software embedded in the control system.

Typical GE Energy-Aero Gas Turbine Governor Load Sharing Schemes:

- Droop Mode - Load Sharing, Utility Grid Connection, Single Unit

Gas turbine connected directly to utility grid in droop mode. Typical speed droop set for
5%, with XNSD speed reference ramp set from 3600 to 3780 RPM (3000 to 3150 for 50
Hz). Turbine governor controls start and ramp the GT to synchronous idle in
isochronous mode by monitoring the 52G “a” auxiliary contact. When the 52G breaker
is closed, the governor will select droop mode provided monitoring its “a” contact closes
the 52U breaker. If the 52U breaker is not closed the gas turbine will remain in
isochronous load control mode to provide power to plant auxiliaries at 1 PU frequency
with no droop. If gas turbine receives load shed from result of 52U breaker opening the
governor will select isochronous mode command instantaneously, so as to ramp to 1
PU frequency with plant connected load.

When a gas turbine is connected to utility in droop mode and if the frequency should
sag slightly, provided the governor is running in speed regulation mode and not
PP48 Rev B
Page 1 of 3
 COPYRIGHT, 2009, GE PACKAGED POWER, L.P.,ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPRIETARY AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL PROPERTY OF GE
PACKAGED POWER, L.P., AND IS LOANED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WILL NOT BE REPRODUCED NOR USED FOR ANY PURPOSE
EXCEPT THAT FOR WHICH IT IS LOANED. IT SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED ON DEMAND, AND IS SUBJECT TO ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ANY
WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR PURCHASE ORDER WHICH INCORPORATES OR RELATES TO THIS DRAWING.
temperature or control limits, the gas turbine output load will increase slightly in
accordance to its droop mode setting function. Same function occurs if the utility grid
frequency increases the gas turbine output load would decrease slightly in accordance
to its droop mode setting function.

Some applications require ability to select isochronous mode command when 52G and
52U is closed for special utility or network grid applications. Isochronous mode
commands during these type conditions are carefully performed by customer’s
operations.

- Isochronous Mode – Load Sharing, Single Unit

Gas turbine connected to plant loads or dedicated network loads not connected to utility
grid are typically operated in Isochronous Mode. This Isochronous mode of governor
operation operates the gas turbine at 1 PU running frequency speed 50 or 60 Hz and
maintains this 1 PU frequency command as the load is applied or removed. Typical
governor regulation is 0.5% and hysterisis setting is 0%.

- Droop/Isochronous Mode Load Sharing, Multiple Units

For multiple units that need to share loads within their own in-plant network domain for
continuously or non-continuous applications, one or more of the gas turbines can be
selected to droop (base load) mode and the remaining turbine selected to isochronous
mode. This scheme allows for stable frequency control as the load variations from the
plant would be consumed by the gas turbine in Isochronous mode and the turbines that
selected in droop mode will maintain constant output power. Reference Figure 1 – Gas
Turbine Load Sharing Multiple Units.

1 PU
Frequency

PP48 Rev B
Page 2 of 3
 COPYRIGHT, 2009, GE PACKAGED POWER, L.P.,ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPRIETARY AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL PROPERTY OF GE
PACKAGED POWER, L.P., AND IS LOANED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WILL NOT BE REPRODUCED NOR USED FOR ANY PURPOSE
EXCEPT THAT FOR WHICH IT IS LOANED. IT SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED ON DEMAND, AND IS SUBJECT TO ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ANY
WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR PURCHASE ORDER WHICH INCORPORATES OR RELATES TO THIS DRAWING.
 Figure 1 – Gas Turbine Load Sharing Multiple Units

When it’s required to bring a unit off line it should be selected to droop mode and its
reference speed would be decreased to minimum load prior to opening its 52G breaker.
The remaining running units would pick up the load that is being removed from the out-
going unit.7

- Isochronous Load Sharing Mode - Multiple Units

For multiple units that need to share loads within their own in-plant network domain for
continuously or non-continuous applications, multiple gas turbines can be selected for
Isochronous Load Sharing mode. Isochronous Load Sharing maintains constant speed
1 PU frequency and shares load identically between units. Typically, there is a 100 kW
to 200 kW deadband to ensure stability and eliminate constant load hunting between
units.

When it’s required to bring a unit off line, it should be selected to droop mode and its
reference speed is then decreased to minimum load prior to opening its 52G breaker.

Typical GE Energy-Aero Gas Turbine Generator AVR Load Sharing Schemes:

- Automatic Voltage regulator systems - Load Sharing

For all applications the AVR controls are typically set for standard droop voltage setting
at 2% to 5% - depending upon plant requirements. With the AVR in droop mode the
reactive loads stay fairly well balanced between units with its built in CCCT (Cross
Current Compensation Transformer) control feature. Special AVR load sharing can be
accommodated to suit non-typical applications.

Conclusion
GE Aero Energy control systems provide reliable load sharing scheme for most any
application. Special load sharing schemes can be provided on project specific basis.

PP48 Rev B
Page 3 of 3
 COPYRIGHT, 2009, GE PACKAGED POWER, L.P.,ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPRIETARY AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL PROPERTY OF GE
PACKAGED POWER, L.P., AND IS LOANED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WILL NOT BE REPRODUCED NOR USED FOR ANY PURPOSE
EXCEPT THAT FOR WHICH IT IS LOANED. IT SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED ON DEMAND, AND IS SUBJECT TO ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ANY
WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR PURCHASE ORDER WHICH INCORPORATES OR RELATES TO THIS DRAWING.