Operation of a generator on an infinite bus

In this analysis we will assume that the machine resistance is negligible and the
synchronous motor has a round rotor (typical of large machines). The impedance for
each phase can then be represented by a single synchronous inductance. The source
to the motor is the emf generated by the action of the rotor magnetic field on the stator
windings. As discussed in lecture 1, the equivalent circuit for the synchronous
machine is then as given in Figure 1. and the phasor diagram for the machine voltage
phasors is as given in Figure 2. The power delivered per phase can be given by

| cos VI P =
(1)

From the phasor diagram in Figure 2 and the sine rule for triangles.

o | sin ) 90 sin(
IX E
o
=
+
(2)

As: cos | = sin (90
o
+|) then we can write
|
|
o
cos
cos
sin
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
X
E
V P (3)

which gives us the equation we expect:

X
EV
P
o sin
=





















Figure 1. Equivalent circuit for a round rotor synchronous machine.
I
V
E
jX




















Figure 2. Phasor diagram for a round rotor synchronous machine


The equivalent circuit and phasor diagram of a round rotor synchronous machine is
similar to the ideal lossless transmission line and similarly (as we have seen) the
following relationships for the output real and reactive powers can be derived.

X
EV
P
o sin
=
(4)
2
cos EV V
Q
X
o
=
(5)

in equations (4) and (5) X is now the machine synchronous reactance per phase. As
with the lossless transmission line there is a maximum output real power given by

X
EV
P =
max
(6)

The maximum output power occurs at a load angle o = 90
o
which also corresponds to
the operating natural stability limit of the machine (no voltage control). The variation
in machine output power is then as given in Figure 3. The region where the load
angle is less than 90
o
is the stable operating region for the machine as 0
dP
do
> but in
the region o > 90
o
we have 0
dP
do
< and this is an unstable condition. This is because
in steady state the mechanical input power must balance the output electrical power.
|
o
I
E
V
jXI
90
o
+ |
E = V+jXI

cos | = power factor

o = load angle
If the mechanical power exceeds the exported electrical power then the excess energy
will accelerate the machine and increase the load angle of the machine with respect to
the power system to which it is attached. In the stable region the machine will
accelerate until the mechanical input power equals the output electrical power but in
the unstable region this can not happen. Similarly only a stable point can be naturally
reached for the stable region if the mechanical input power is less than the output
electrical power. This is depicted in Figure 3.




P



Figure 3 Variation in machine output power with load angle showing how the
stable and unstable operating points change if the mechanical input power
exceeds the electrical output power.


Machine Operation Chart

In practice the operation of an alternator is limited by the following factors

- Output fixed at rated voltage

- Input power from the prime mover (turbine) ( gives max VI cos| )

- Maximum stator current (gives max VA)

- Maximum excitation current (gives maximum emf or E)

- Stability limits (gives limit of load angle o)


These can all be summarised on one single diagram; a machine operation or
performance chart. The operation chart is based on the phasor diagram for the
machine operation point. In order to construct the operation chart it is worth
examining how the phasor diagram changes for different operating conditions. Figure
/2 Load angle
Electrical
output power
Stable
operating
point
mechanical input power
Can accelerate to
point of
equilibrium
unstable
operating
point
accelerates away
from the point of
equilibrium
4 shows three possible conditions for the same output power; no reactive power,
output reactive power and input reactive power. Figure 5 shows the phasor diagrams
for constant excitation. Figure 6 shows the phasor diagram at the stability limit and
the practical stability limit. Figure 7 shows phasor diagrams for constant VA output.

















































Figure 4. Constant power




cos|=1
o
I
E
V
jXI
VIcos|=constant
Lagging I
(exporting
Vars)
o
I
E
V
jXI
Leading I
(importing
Vars)
o
I
E
V
jXI


















Figure 5. Constant excitation phasor diagram


















Figure 6. Stability limit phasor diagram













Figure 7. Phasor diagrams for constant VA
Arc of constant E
o
E
V
jXI
Arc of constant E
o
E
V
jXI
Practical stability limit
P<Pmax by a margin of
safety
Ideal
stability
limit
Arc of constant XI
o
E
V
jXI
From Figures 4-7 it can be seen that phasor diagrams can be used to represent the
condition of the machine and the limits of the machine. The machine
performance/operation chart is then a phasor diagram which has been scaled by V/X
as given in figure 8. On to this figure are mapped the machin limits: Maximum VA,
Maximum input mechanical power, E maximum and the practical stability limit. The
practical stability limit is constructed from an asymptote of the operating points
giving a power output less than the maximum possible (EV/X) for a given excitation
by the stability margin P (as shown for E
max
).




Notice that modern electronic controllers have a fast response and can control the
excitation E such that it is inversely proportional to sin. In this way the ouput power
becomes independent of and the practical stability limit can exceed = /2.



Reactive
Power
Power
VV/X
sin EV
X
o

2
cos EV V
X X
o

o
EV/X
jVI
90
o
+ |
E
max
V/X
Maximum mechanical input
power
Maximum
VI
Stability
margin P
Practical stability limit
Figure 8 Machine operation chart formed by scaling the phasor
diagram by V/X and mapping on the machine limits. The operating
region is shown shadded
Conclusions

In this lecture we have analysed the situation of an alternator attached to the grid. The
grid was assumed to behave as an infinite bus (constant voltage and frequency). It is
shown that there is a maximum output power given by the machine synchronous
reactance, terminal voltage and maximum excitation (rotor current). It was also shown
that from a scaled version of the phasor diagram (multiplied by V/X) the operating
region of the machine can be displayed.