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- Conventional Hydro
Development and Experimental Hardware Validation of Novel Variable Speed Hydropower Control Schemes for Emerging Applications and Water Resource Paradigms
Lead Companies
Oregon State University
Lead Researcher (s)
- Michael Starrett
Recent opportunities for new hydropower generation in the United States have often been in non-powered dams and run-of-river type flows occurring in low-impact natural areas and unregulated conduits. At the same time, a changing water resource paradigm is challenging some existing generation in drought stricken areas where supply reservoirs behind many medium and high head units are at historically low levels. The result is a developing market space which is potentially best captured by machines capable of variable speed operation. Variable speed units have a wider range of operating conditions compared to their synchronous counterparts and have already proven their resilience through a 20+ year history in pumped hydro applications. This work develops a control scheme for variable speed hydropower units operating to deliver a set-point power through flow controlling gates. This control scheme increases both the hydrologic operating range of a unit as well as the speed of response to grid contingencies under droop and automatic generator control. Results from simulation are confirmed on hardware.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Powerhouse Equipment
Research Sub-Category
Controls
Status
complete
Completion Date
2016
- Conventional Hydro
TIP 274: Development & Demonstration of Applications for BPA & FCRPS Compliance with Modeling Standards & Performance Monitoring
Lead Companies
BPA/US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
Lead Researcher (s)
- Steve Yang, BPA
The project developed and integrated a comprehensive set of power plant model validation and performance monitoring tools for BPA and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). It also developed capabilities at USACE to perform baseline testing and model validation needed to meet the WECC and BPA requirements.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Powerhouse Equipment
Research Sub-Category
Controls
Status
complete
Completion Date
2016
- Conventional Hydro
TIP 313: Power-Frequency Control
Lead Companies
BPA/US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)/US Bureau of Reclamation (USBOR)
Lead Researcher (s)
- Dmitry Kosterev, BPA
The project researched technical approaches for the BPA to meet the NERC frequency response standards and reliability challenges. It built on the success of hydro-governor design and tuning work done under the existing TIP 50 research to develop plant control and Automatic Generation Control (AGC) strategies to meet diverse reliability objectives. By investigating relationships between frequency controls, angular stability, and voltage stability issues this project determined the benefits and feasibility of various technical strategies to address stability issues.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Powerhouse Equipment
Research Sub-Category
Controls
Status
complete
Completion Date
2017
- Conventional Hydro
TIP 350: Power Plant Dynamic Performance Monitoring Center
Lead Companies
BPA/USACE/US Bureau of Reclamation (USBOR)
Lead Researcher (s)
- Steve Yang, BPA
This project developed and demonstrated an integrated system for monitoring power plant dynamic performance and model validation. This system has the following capabilities: - Events are detected and classified, notifications are sent through the BPA e-mail, e-mail includes event report. Data is extracted automatically - Updates PPMV with State Estimator Models, upgraded to new API with GE PSLF that does not require use of external EPCLs - Automates model acceptance process similarly to PPMV process - Performs routine benchmarking of power plant performance against performance metrics such as Frequency Response Obligation and voltage control - Deploys small signal oscillation detection application, log events of sustained oscillations, and provides data extraction capabilities
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Powerhouse Equipment
Research Sub-Category
Controls
Status
complete
Completion Date
2018
- Conventional Hydro
TIP 408: Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) Generator Modeling, Monitoring and Governor, and Voltage Control Optimization
Lead Companies
BPA/US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)/US Bureau of Reclamation (USBOR)
Lead Researcher (s)
- Dmitry Kosterev, BPA
- Steve Yang, BPA
- Gordon Kawaly, BPA
The project is a continuation of a multi-year collaborative effort between BPA Transmission and US Army Corps of Engineers in the area of generator modeling, monitoring and control optimization. This project completes work started under TIP 274 and focuses on the optimization of generator primary controls (AVR, PSS, governors) to provide essential reliability services.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Powerhouse Equipment
Research Sub-Category
Controls
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
2020
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Have questions about WaRP?
Contact Marla Barnes at: marla@hydro.org