Revitalization of a small hydro power plant: Unit control system development

Abstract

This paper presents the development of a small power-plant control system. The developed control system can safely operate the power plant with the existing equipment. It should also enable integration with the basic equipment and protection system after the revitalization of the power plant. The new control system should be simple, reliable, and inexpensive and should provide a minimum level of participation of operators in the unit operation. It is also necessary to predict all the features that need to be realized so that the control system can respond to the challenges posed by the introduction of a smart grid. This paper briefly shows the current state of the equipment at the hydro-plant as well as the basic requirements of the 'smart' unit control. Further details define the control system from the perspective of integration into existing and future conditions of the equipment in the plant. Emphasis is placed on the structure of the implemented network, which should enable control and monitoring from a remote distribution/transmission dispatch centre. Justification of this investment has been proven by the fact that the unit has been in operation in the Small Hydro-Power Plant 'Raska' since April 2014. During this period the start-up time of the unit and the stand-by periods have been considerably shortened. The automatic synchronization of the generator to the grid results in minimal stress of the unit equipment. The control system also allows isolated operation of the unit on the small local grid.

Keywords

• Small Hydropower Plant
• Control System
• Smart Grid