Conventional Generation Controls Training – Naples/Marco Island

BACKGROUND 

The various organizations that oversee electricity reliability in North America have been in existence for decades, with oversight provided by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).  NERC’s mission is to ensure that the bulk electric system in North America is reliable, adequate, and secure. In 1997, NERC developed a set of Operating and Planning standards for use throughout the North American industry (NERC Planning Standards, Part II System Modeling Data Requirements, approved by Board of Trustees, September 16, 1997). These Planning Standards included rules for the routine verification of generating unit performance and mathematical models.

COURSE DURATION: 4 Days

COST: $3,350 per person

DATES:  January 27 – 31, 2025

LOCATION: Staybridge Suites Naples – Marco Island 9401 Triangle Blvd Naples, FL 34113

AT A GLANCE:  The course is designed for engineers and technicians and will cover the theory and practical aspects of testing, modeling, and operation of conventional synchronous generators, excitation systems, power system stabilizers, and turbine governors with a focus on NERC and regional regulatory compliance standards.

MORE BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The US Energy Policy Act of August 2005 contains provisions that made compliance with NERC standards mandatory and enforceable. The technical standards that are the topic of this short training program are the following:

MOD-025: Verification of Generator Gross and Net Reactive Power Capability

MOD-026: Verifications of Models and Data for Generator Excitation System Functions

MOD-027: Verification of Generator Unit Frequency Response (Governor Controls)

PRC-019: Coordination of Generator Voltage Regulator Controls with Unit Capabilities and Protection

PRC-024: Generator Performance During Frequency and Voltage Excursions

Course Description 

The Kestrel Generation Controls course is designed to instruct plant engineers and technicians on the core concepts of utility generators and associated control systems with the goal of familiarizing technical utility staff with the requirements of the latest NERC regulations and helping them identify their role in meeting these requirements within their organization. The material is tailored to cover the specific systems, configurations, and operating scenarios associated with the attendees. Each requirement will be reviewed using the following approach:

■ Review technical background material necessary to understand the topic and provide references for further study

■ Review the latest version of the applicable standard along with regional interpretations of the requirements

■ Discuss methods of meeting technical requirements

■ Perform sample calculations, exercises, and simulations illustrating the technical issues and test methods

The course provides classroom-based instruction and utilizes a comprehensive computer-based course manual and a generator controls simulation software package. This software package allows each attendee to perform interactive simulation exercises related to various course topics, such as Generator Reactive  Capability, Generator Voltage Control, Auto  Voltage Regulator Tuning, Power System Stabilizer  Operation, and others. The simulations utilize accurate generator and control system models, allowing the user to adjust settings, alter system configurations, and control operation while viewing the simulated response on graphs and meters. The interactive simulations are an excellent means of better understanding the practical application of the course material.

Course Outline 

MODULE 1: REACTIVE POWER  CAPABILITY  

■ Review of Basic Power System Concepts

» Basic concepts governing synchronously operating power systems

» The power system and control

» Power transfer in AC systems

■ Synchronous Generators 

» Energy conversion and the synchronous generator – generator terminal characteristics

» Off-line and online operation

» Reactive capability

■ MOD-025 Confirmation of Reactive  Capability 

» Alternative methods (testing versus operating) voltage versus reactive limitations  documentation requirements

MODULE 2: EXCITATION  SYSTEM PERFORMANCE AND  MODELING  

■ Excitation System Design 

» Excitation requirements imposed by the generator and by the power system

» Common designs: bus-fed static, rotating DC systems, rotating AC systems

» Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) reactive current compensation

■ Power System Stability and Stabilizers

» Effect of excitation system on stability

» Oscillatory stability of synchronous machines

» Functional design of common stabilizers

■ MOD-026 Confirmation of Excitation Models  and Performance 

» Alternative methods manufacturer’s data, testing, disturbance recording

» Test instrumentation and procedures

» Documentation and model submittal requirements

» Model Quality Tests

MODULE 3: VERIFICATION  OF GENERATOR UNIT  

FREQUENCY RESPONSE  (GOVERNOR CONTROLS)  

■ Prime Movers 

» Common elements of utility prime movers

» Steam, gas, hydraulic, and wind turbines

■ Frequency Control and Governors

» Speed governing of utility generation » Governor designs

» Permanent droop and deadband

» Automatic generation control

■ MOD-027 Verification of Unit Frequency  Response 

» Methods of confirming frequency response  (disturbance recording, staged tests)

» Models of turbine governors documentation  requirements

MODULE 4: COORDINATION OF PROTECTION, LIMITERS WITH GENERATOR  CAPABILITY  

■ Generator Capability 

» Over-voltage and V/Hz capability

» Limited time field winding limits

» Under-excited limitations

■ Excitation Limiters 

» Over-excitation limiters

» Under-excitation limiters

■ Generator Protective Relays 

» Multi-function digital versus discrete relays » Fault versus overload relays

■ PRC-019 Coordination of Protection and Limiters with Unit Capability 

» Excitation limiters and relation to generator  and system capability

» Coordinating excitation limiters and protective  relays

» Test and documentation requirements

■ PRC-024 Generator Performance During Frequency and Voltage Excursions