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Generator Capability Study for Offshore Oil Platform

Peter E. Sutherland, Fellow, IEEE
GE Energy Services
180 Rotterdam Industrial Park
Schenectady, NY 12306
Peter.Sutherland@ieee.org

Abstract—Offshore Production Platform’s two 25 MW turbine
generatorunits were evaluated to determine the safe operating
limits of the units, if the entire load is to be carried by one
generator, and to determine whether load shedding will be
necessary if only one generator is in operation. The Generator
Reactive Capability Curve was constructed based upon limited
data due to the age of the generators. The real power output
capability of the turbine-generator combination was evaluated
based upon the data provided. The generator was rated in
accordance with British Standard BS.2613/1957. The analysis
was based upon the requirements the superseding standards, IEC
60034-1 (2004) and IEC 60034-3 (2005).
Keywords-component; generator capability; reactive capability;
oil platform.
I. INTRODUCTION
A generator capability study was performed for a facility in
the North Sea.
The scope of the generator capability study included the
Production Platform’s two 25 MW turbine generators.
The purpose of the study was to determine the safe
operating limit of the units, if the entire load is to be carried by
one generator, and to determine whether load shedding will be
necessary if only one generator is in operation.
The Generator Reactive Capability Curve will be
constructed using the data provided. The real power output
capability of the generator will be evaluated based upon the
data provided.
The generator is rated in accordance with BS.2613 [1]. The
analysis will be based upon the requirements the superseding
standards, IEC 60034-1 [2], and IEC 60034-3 [3].
II. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
This project involves building new process facilities on the
Production Platform to accommodate tie-in of a new oil & gas
reservoir. New electrical equipment will be:
 Extension to existing 13.8kV Switchboard
 1 x 13.8kV Switchboard
 2 x 1MVA, 13.8kV / 440v transformers
 1 x 440V Switchboard
 4 x 570kW Electrical Submersible Pumps each
controlled by a VSD
 1 x 1.7MW kW Raw Sea Water Injection Pump
controlled by a VSD
 1 x 3.5MVA, 13.8kV / 690v transformer
 1 x 3MW thyristor controlled heater
The existing generation consists of two 25MW Generators;
the platform operates one of the two with the idle unit on
standby or under maintenance. Each generator has a theoretical
rating of 25MW although the 'safe' operating rating will be
lower. The generators are approximately 30 years old; they
were inspected by a field engineer and were reported to be in
good condition and are under a regular maintenance program.
The field engineer recommended a major overhaul over the
next two years including new rotors.
There is no load shedding or power management system as
the maximum load has always been within the capability of a
single generator. However a new system may be installed as
part of this project to phase down the new loads when reaching
the 'safe' operating limit of the generators to safeguard main
platform production. The platform operations department are
unlikely to allow operation of both generators simultaneously.
The existing platform load is approximately 9 MW
however this has been up to 15 MW when water injection and
drilling were running at full capacity. The load profile varies
between these two figures.
The new load imposed by the upgrade project will be a
maximum of 7.7 MW.
The study requirement was to carry out a desktop analysis
on the generators to establish the 'safe' operating limit of the
units.
Study Methodology
The study effort consisted of three tasks:
1. Generator reactive capability curve. The generator
reactive capability curve was constructed, and the current and
future loading were evaluated.
2. Unit derating. The rating of the unit was evaluated with
regard to IEC Standards 60034-1 and –3. [2] [3]

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3. Load shedding system. The data results from the previous

two tasks were examined for the possible requirement for a
load shedding system. 1
A Peak Future

III. GENERATOR REACTIVE CAPABILITY CURVE

0.75
The capability of the generator based upon its data sheet
shows a rated maximum power output of 31.25 MW, 36.8 B
MVA (Water at 10°C) at a power factor of 0.85. The turbine 0.5
rated output is 24.5 MW. Thus, the generator can provide no
more than 78% of its rated maximum power output.
0.25
Generator power output capability is limited by the rated
temperature rise of the copper for armature current, and of the

Q pu
iron for terminal voltage. The limitations are shown
graphically on a “Reactive Capability Curve.” The calculated 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
curves for the Production Platform unit are shown in Fig. 1.
The arc AB on the curve represents a line of constant rated
 0.25 D C
field current. The arc BC represents a line of constant rated
armature current. The arc CD represents a line of the
underexcitation limit by armature core end heating. These  0.5
points are also shown on the corresponding Vee Curves in Fig.
2. Reactive capability curves are a commonly used method for
plotting generator characteristics that are often supplied by  0.75
generator manufacturers. When they are not available,
methods for calculating the curves are well documented in the
literature. [4] 1
The rated field current curve A-B may be drawn as a circle
with its center at  jVa2 X d , and a radius of Va Ei X d where: P pu
Field Current Limit
 Va = per-unit generator terminal voltage. Va = 1.0
(assumed). Armature Current Limit
Armature Current Limit
 Xd = per-unit generator synchronous reactance. Xd = 2.34 PF = 0.85 Lag
from generator data sheet. PF = 0.95 lead
 pB = per-unit rated real power output = 0.85 Underexcitation Limit
SSSL1
 qB = per-unit rated reactive power output = 0.526.
SSSL2
 Ei = per-unit generator field current. At rated terminal 25MW, 0.8pf
voltage, armature current and power factor, PF = 0.8 Lag

Ei = p 2B  (q B  X d ) 2 = 2.99. (1)
Figure 1. Generator capability curve of Production Platform unit.

This value of Ei is for the constant field current segment, A to

B. Expression (1) is valid for rated terminal voltage, armature
current, that is, the range from points B to C. The radius of the circle is r = 1.0 x 2.99/2.34 = 1.278 pu =
47.0 MVA. The equation of the circle is:
The equation of the circle is:
1.278 2 P 2  Q  0.4272
r x  x 0   y  y 0 
2 2 2

or Q 1.278 2  P 2  0.427
2 2
 Va E i  V2 Thus, the start of the arc at point A is located at: Q=1.278-

 P2 
Q  a 

X 
Xd  0.427= 0.85 pu = 31.3 MVAr. This value of Q is equal to the
 d   
rated MVA output of the machine. The end of the arc at point
2 B is where the power factor is 0.85. This is at the start of the
V E V2
Q

a i   P2  a (2)
 Xd

 X d
second segment, where Q 1.2782  0.85 2  0.427 0.527 = 19.4
MVAr.
The center of the circle is located at Q = -1/ Xd = -0.4274
pu = -15.7 MVAr.

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The rated armature current is plotted as a circle with a center at This is plotted on the negative Q axis of the capability curve.
the origin and a radius of rated MVA. The equation of the The curve between them is normally transferred point by point
circle is the familiar: from the Vee curve. On the Vee Curve axes of Ia vs Ei, the line
can be written using the point-slope formula for a line:
S2 P 2  Q 2 (3)
I a m(E i  0.25)  I 0.25 , where
In this case, S = 1 pu =36.8 MVA. The equation of the circle 1  Q 0.25 1.3205 (9)
is: m 0.6636
E iC  0.25 2.24  0.25
1.0 P 2  Q 2
or,
The starting point B is at the intersection with the first circle. Ia 0.6636Ei  0.25  0.3205 (10)
The intersection of two circles whose centers are on the vertical
This equation verifies that point C on the Vee curves is Ei =
axis:
2.24 and Ia = 1.0 and point D is Ei = 0.25 and Ia = -0.3205. A
r12 x 2  y 2 line or curve may be drawn between these two points as an
approximation of the true function.
and (4)
 
r22 x 2  y  y 2 2 Synchronous Generator Vee Curves

subtracting
C B
r12  r22 y 2  y  y 2 2 1


y 2  y 2  2 yy 2  y 22  (5)

2 yy 2  y 22 A

solving
r 2  r22  y 22 1 
r 2  r22 
kVA output, pu

(6)
y 1
y2  1
2y 2 2
y 2 
 
0.5
setting
r1 S 1.0
Va E i
r2 1.277 D
Xd
r22 1.6307

V2
y 2  a 0.4274
Xd

solving
0
1 1  1.6307 0 1 2 3
y
 0.4274   0.526
2  0.4274  Field Current, pu
This is the value of Q at point B. The corresponding value of P V-curve P=1
must be 0.85, the rated power factor, thus P = 0.85S = 31.3 0.95 lead
MW and Q = 0.526S = 19.4 MVAr. The ending point C is at 0.85 lag
leading power factor of 0.95. Here P = 0.95S = 35.0 MW and Rated current
Q = -0.312S = -11.5 MVAr. At points C: Rated field
Unity pf
Ei=0.25
EiC = p 2  (q  X d ) 2 0.95 2  (0.312  2.34) 2 2.240.
V-curve P=0
End-Iron Heating Limit
The underexcited heating limit is a curve, which goes from
point C to point D. On the Vee Curve for zero power output,
point D is at 0 PF lead and one fourth of the no-load field Figure 2. Calculated Vee Curves for Generator
current IFNL.
The steady state stability limit (SSSL) is a circle with a
EiD = IFNL/ 4 = 0.25 pu; (7) Va2  1 1 Va2  1 1


.
The reactive power is then:
center at
2
X X  and a radius of
2
X  X  The
 e d   e d 
Q0.25 = Va(Ei-Va)/Xd = 1.0(0.25-1.0)/2.34 (8) external reactance Xe, calculated from circuit impedances, is
10.8% in the existing case, and 8.9% with the planned
= -0.3205 pu = -11.8 MVAr additions. These are plotted as SSSL1 and SSL2, respectively

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in Figure 2. With this unit, the center is at 4.416 pu = 162.5
MVAr, while the radius is 4.843 pu = 178.2 MVA for Xe=
0.108. Thus, the SSSL starts at 162.5-178.2 = -15.7 MVAr,
and passes near point C. The SSSL is outside of the reactive
capability curve. The output of the generator is therefore not
constrained by the steady state stability limit.
7. Occasional excess current shall not exceed 1.5 times rated
for 30 seconds. (IEC 60034-3, 4.16)
8. Harmonic content of terminal voltage shall not exceed 5%
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). (IEC 60034-1, 9.11.2)
The THD is defined as:

The maximum real power output of the generator with the
attached turbine is 24.5 MW. The field current limit occurs at
U
2
24.0 MVAr, thus the minimum lagging power factor at this
loading is 0.70.
The peak load before the additions is 15 MW, and after is 22.7
MW. These are all indicated on the figure. The current peak
load is 61% of the turbine rating of 24.5 MW, increasing to
93% with the future load.
IV. UNIT DERATING
The generators were rated in accordance with BS.2613 [1].
This standard has been superseded by IEC 60034-1 [2], and
IEC 60034-3 [3]. The generator is assumed to be typically
rated for continuous (S1) duty. (IEC 60034-1, 5.2.1)
Generators should be derated under the following
conditions:
1. When operated at an altitude above 1000 m. These units
are at sea level. (IEC 60034-1, 6.2)
2. When the temperature of the ventilating air exceeds 40 °C
or is less than -5 °C. (IEC 60034-3, 7.2.2), except that
because the generator has
a. > 3.3 MVA/1000 rpm
b. Water as a coolant
the minimum temperature is 0 °C. (IEC 60034-1, 6.4)
100
THD
n
2
n
where Un is the voltage at harmonic order n. Harmonic
measurements have not been taken, so this factor is
unknown.
In order to apply these conditions, details about the
construction of the generator need to be known, such as:
 Which is the primary or secondary coolant (water or air)
 Whether cooling is direct or indirect
 The rated temperature or temperature rise of the windings.
If none of these conditions apply, the generator does not
need to be derated. Because the generator is operating at 78%
of its rated power output, even if it was derated, this should not
affect the maximum power output with the existing turbine.
Combustion gas turbines should be derated when the
temperature of the ventilating air exceeds 15 °C. The output
ratings of turbines and generators may differ due to their
different temperature ratings.
The temperature limits can be observed from the weather
records. The location of Production Platform is offshore of
Aberdeen.
16.0
14.0
Average Air Temp. (C)

12.0
10.0
3. When operated with cooling water inlet temperature 8.0
differing from the rated value of 10 °C. The temperature 6.0
4.0
range is –20 to 60 °C, with derating of the winding 2.0
temperature rise below 10 °C. (IEC 60034-3, 7.4.3) 0.0
Jan- Feb- Mar- Apr- May- Jun- Jul- Aug- Sep- Oct- Nov- Dec- Jan- Feb- Mar-
4. Harmonic content of load currents, shall not exceed 5% 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 08 08 08

Harmonic Current Factor (HCF). (IEC 60034-1, 7.2.2) The Jan- Feb- Mar- Apr- May- Jun- Jul- Aug- Sep- Oct- Nov- Dec- Jan- Feb- Mar-
07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 08 08 08
HCF is defined as:
Monthly 7.3 5.9 7.1 8.5 9.7 13.5 14.2 14.9 12.9 11.3 8.2 7.0 6.5 6.4 5.1
Annual 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.2
13
HCF 
n 2
I 2n
Figure 3. Average air temperature for Ecofisk platform. Data from [5].

where In is the current at harmonic order n. Harmonic
measurements have not been taken, so this factor is
unknown.
5. Negative or zero sequence currents shall not exceed 5%.
(IEC 60034-1, 7.2.3) The generators feed delta-connected
primaries of distribution transformers, so this should not
occur.
6. Operate outside a zone of ±5% in terminal voltage or ±2%
in frequency. (IEC 60034-1, 7. 3)
Available weather records from the Norwegan Ekofisk
platform, located to the southeast of Production Platform,
indicate an annual average temperature of 9.2 °C. Monthly
weather data [5] is shown in Fig. 3. Seawater temperature for
the North Sea is very similar to the air temperature, typically
being 1-2 °C higher.
Therefore, the air temperature is within the range of 5-40
°C, and the average water temperature is approximately 10 °C.
However, because the water temperature is at times less than
10 °C, the maximum temperature or temperature rise of the
windings may be limited. Reference should be made to the
standards for the appropriate derating formula. Given these

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conditions, the generator and the turbine should be operating
within their rated temperature ranges. No derating due to
temperature is required.
V. LOAD SHEDDING SYSTEM
Any part of a power system will begin to deteriorate if there
is an excess of load over available generation. [6] The prime
movers and their associated generators begin to slow down as
they attempt to carry the excess load. Tie lines to other parts of
the system, or to other power systems across a power pool,
attempt to supply the excess load. This combination of events
can cause the tie lines to open from overload or the various
parts of the systems to separate due to power swings and
resulting instability. The result may be one or more electrically
isolated islands in which load may exceed the available
generation. [7]
There are two major types of load shedding systems [8] in
use, the under-frequency relay and the PLC system:
 With the under-frequency relay, the load is shed in
predetermined blocks after the frequency has fallen below
certain setpoints. Time delay is built in to avoid
misoperation during normal frequency variations. The
combination of fixed blocks of load shed with a time delay
can result in a continued mismatch of load and generation
if the rate of change of frequency does not match the rate
of load shedding.
 With the PLC system, the breaker positions, generator
status, and power flows are continuously monitored. The
PLC maintains a table of scenarios and calculated
responses. For each of these responses, the load will be
matched to the generation once the switching is executed.
PLC systems are superior to under-frequency relays in the
accuracy and speed of their response. However, there are
difficulties with PLC systems, which often lead to under-
frequency relays being used as a back up for PLC systems.
These are:
1. In a complex system with a large number of
possible switching combinations, scenarios may
occur which are not programmed into the PLC,
resulting in a failure to respond when load-
shedding is required. In this case, a back up
under frequency system is beneficial.
2. The generation and load must be accurately
characterized at the time the switching occurred.
This may be difficult, if, for example, a generator
tripped on reverse power, or in the case of a
rapidly varying motor load.
The nature of the load should be carefully examined before
a load shedding system is chosen.
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Because load does not exceed generation, in fact the
maximum peak future load is 93% of the rated turbine power
output, no load shedding system is required at present.
However, should the future load exceed the total unit
capability, a load shedding system should be considered.
VI. CONCLUSIONS
It was found that the unit would be operating within 93% of
its 24.5 MW capability, with a minimum power factor of 70%
lagging. The steady state stability limit is outside of the
generator capability curve, and thus is not a factor in generator
output. The rating of the unit was evaluated with regard to IEC
Standards 60034-1 and –3. It was found based on available
data , the unit was operating within its rated capabilities, and no
derating was required. Because load does not exceed
generation, in fact the maximum peak future load is 93% of the
rated turbine power output, no load shedding system is required
at present. Should the future load exceed the total unit
capability, a load shedding system should be considered.
REFERENCES
[1] British Standard BS.2613/1957, Electrical performance of rotating
machines.
[2] IEC 60034-1 (2004). Rotating electrical machines – Part 1: Rating and
performance
[3] IEC 60034-3 (2005) Rotating electrical machines – Part 3: Specific
requirements for cylindrical rotor synchronous machines.
[4] M. Harry Hesse, Principles of Electric Power System Analysis, Notes for
34.682, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, Spring 1994.
[5] Website www.tutiempo.net ??
[6] Sutherland, P.E.; Roubach, V.; Riani, L.M., “Stability Requirements for
Implementation of Grid Separation Scheme in a Steel Mill with Internal
Generation,” IEEE 2008 IAS Annual Meeting, Edmonton, Alberta,
October, 2008.
[7] Load Shedding, Load Restoration and Generator Protection Using
Solid-state and Electromechanical Underfrequency Relays, GE
Publication GET-6449.
[8] John P. Fievet, “The use of programmable logic controllers in paper mill
load shed systems,” TAPPI Journal, Vol. 80, No. 3, March 1997
BIOGRAPHY
Peter E. Sutherland (Fellow, IEEE) received the B.S. degree in Electrical
Engineering from the University of Maine, Orono, and the Ph.D. degree in
Electric Power Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY.
In 1987, he joined General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY, and held
a variety of positions, becoming a Senior Engineer in the GE Power Systems
Energy Consulting Department. In 2001, he joined SuperPower, Inc.,
Schenectady, N.Y., where he worked on applications of superconductivity to
electric power systems. Dr. Sutherland then joined EPRI PEAC Corporation’s
(now EPRI Solutions, Inc.), Schenectady, NY office as a Consulting Engineer.
He is currently a Lead Consultant with GE Energy Services in Schenectady
NY. Author of numerous technical papers, he is active in the IEEE Industry
Applications Society, and in the IEEE Schenectady Section. Dr. Sutherland is
a member of CIGRE and the IET (formerly IEE). He is a Registered
Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania, Maine and New York.
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