On the Implementation of Variable Speed in Pump-Turbine Units Providing Primary and Secondary Load-Frequency Control in Generating Mode

Abstract

This paper analyses different control strategies for the speed control loop of a variable-speed pump-turbine unit equipped with a doubly fed induction generator, operating in generating mode in an isolated power system with high penetration of intermittent renewable energy. The control strategies are evaluated and compared to each other in terms of the amount of water discharged through the pump-turbine and of the wicket gates fatigue while providing primary and secondary load-frequency control. The influence of the penstock length and the initial operating point on the performance of each control strategy is studied in detail. For these purposes, several simulations have been performed with a suitable dynamic model of the pumped-storage hydropower plant and the power system. The results of the paper indicate that a proper control strategy would consist in updating the reference speed according to the power generation schedule and keeping it constant within each scheduling period (typically 1 h).

Keywords

• pumped storage hydropower plant (PSHP)
• variable speed operation
• load-frequency control