EE 107 AC Machinery

Parallel Operation
Parallel Operation of AC
of
Generators
AC Generators
 Frequency-Power Characteristics
Effect Of Additional Real Power To Generator Speed
 Prime mover speed decrease as

Mechanical speed (rpm)

generator load increase. n
 Prime movers include a
nnl
governor mechanism to make
nf
decrease linear with increasing
load and provide a slight
drooping.

Pf Power
(kW)
 Frequency-Power Characteristics
Effect Of Additional Real Power To Generator Speed

Mechanical speed (rpm)

nnl  n fl n
SD  100%
n fl nnl
nf
where:
SD = speed droop of the prime mover
nnl = no load speed of the prime mover
nf = full load speed of the prime mover
Pf Power
(kW)

 Drooping can range from 2% - 4%.

 Frequency-Power Characteristics
Effect Of Additional Reactive Power To Generator Speed
 The speed should not droop for an increase in reactive power (kVAR ), since
this power is not actual power consumed by load.
 It does however affect the terminal voltage of the generator.
 Frequency-Power Characteristics
Adjusting Generator Speed
 Governor mechanism has set point to adjust the no load speed of the prime
mover.
 When no load speed is adjusted, the whole speed-power curve will be adjusted.

n
Mechanical speed (rpm)

nnl n’
n’’nlnl
nf

Power
Pf (kW)
 Frequency-Power Characteristics
Effect Of Additional Real Power To Generator Frequency
 Since prime mover speed is proportional to generator frequency, the latter also
decreases with increasing load.
f
P sP ( f nl  f sys )
fnl

Frequency(Hz)
where: fsys
P = power output of generator ff
fnl = no load frequency
ff = full load frequency
fsys = operating frequency of
system at power P.
sP = inverse of slope of curve, kW/Hz or P Pf Power (kW)
MW/Hz.
 To adjust generator frequency, the governor mechanism can be adjusted accordingly.
 Checkpoint
§ Express the power-frequency relationship of the generator in terms of the speed
droop SD.
 Illustrative Problem 1
§ A 8-pole generator is operating at 60 Hz at no-load. At full-load of 100 kW, the
operating frequency goes down to 58.5 Hz.
The governor mechanism on the prime mover is set so that the frequency varies linearly
with the power output.
a) What is the prime mover rpm at no-load and full-load
b) Express the power P delivered by the generator as a function of its operating
frequency.
c) Calculate for sP?
d) If the operating frequency needs to be at 60 Hz at full load, at what frequency
level should the generator be at no-load? What should be the prime mover rpm to
attain this no-load frequency?
e) If an additional load of 25 kW is connected to the generator without changing its
frequency, what should be the prime-mover rpm at no-load?
 Illustrative Problem 1
§ Solution: f
a) 120 f fl 120(58.5)
n fl   877.5 rpm
P 8 fsys fnl
ff
120 f nl 120 (60)

Frequency(Hz)
nnl   900 rpm
P 8
b) Let fsys = operating frequency of
generator for any given power output P.
P Pf Power
(kW)
P fl P

f nl  f fl f nl  f sys
c) s P  66 .667 kW / Hz
100 kW
P 60  f sys 
( 60  58 .5) Hz

P 66 .667 60  f sys  kW

 Illustrative Problem 1
§ Solution: f
d) Pfl P
 60 Hz
f ' nl  f ' fl f ' nl  f sys fsys ff’nlnl
58.5 Hz ff’f f
Since the slope of the curve is the same:

Frequency(Hz)
Pfl
 s P  66 .667 kW / Hz
f ' nl  f ' fl

100 P Pf Power
 66 .667 kW / Hz
f ' nl  60 (kW)

Frequency – Power curve set at

f ' nl  61 .5 Hz a higher no-load frequency

120 f 'nl 120 (61.5)

n'nl   922.5 rpm
P 8
 Illustrative Problem 1
§ Solution: f
e)
60 Hz fnl
fsys
58.5 Hz ff

Frequency(Hz)
fol

125
P 100 Power
(kW)

Frequency – Power curve showing frequency at 125 kW

 Illustrative Problem 1
§ Solution: f
f’nl
e)
60 Hz fnl
fsys
58.5 Hz ff

Frequency(Hz)
125
P 100 Power
(kW)

Frequency – Power curve set at a higher no-load

frequency to maintain 58.5 Hz at 125 kW
125
 s P  66 .667 kW / Hz
f ' nl  58 .5
120 (60.375)
f '
nl  60 .375 Hz n' nl  905.625 rpm
8
 Terminal Voltage (VT)-Reactive Power (Q ) Characteristics
Effect Of Additional Reactive Power To Generator Speed
 Increase in reactive power (kVAR ) supplied by generator, does not affect
generator speed and thus its frequency, but it affects terminal voltage.
 Terminal voltage VT droops with additional unity or lagging load but increase
with additional leading load
Terminal Voltage (VT)-Reactive Power (Q ) Characteristics

EA

jXS IA
δ
Vφ
IA θ

Generator phasor diagram with lagging load

Terminal Voltage (VT)-Reactive Power (Q ) Characteristics

EA

jXS IA
δ

Vφ
θ
IA

Generator phasor diagram with additional reactive (inductive) load

(Vφ and therefore VT decreases drastically!)
(Note: Real power or load in this diagram is constant since I A cos θ remains
constant, hence, frequency of generator (and speed) should NOT be
affected)
Terminal Voltage (VT)-Reactive Power (Q ) Characteristics

EA

jXS IA
δ

Vφ

θ
IA

Generator phasor diagram with additional reactive (inductive) load

(Vφ and therefore VT decreases drastically!)
(Note: Real power or load in this diagram is constant since I A cos θ remains
constant, hence, frequency of generator (and speed) should NOT be
affected)
 Terminal Voltage (VT)-Reactive Power (Q ) Characteristics

 VT also decreases with increasing unity power factor load.

EA

jXS IA
δ
IA Vφ

Generator phasor diagram with unity load

(Note: Real power or load in this diagram increased since I A cos θ increased,
hence, frequency of generator (and speed) will decrease)
Terminal Voltage (VT)-Reactive Power (Q ) Characteristics

EA

jXS IA

δ
IA Vφ

Generator phasor diagram with additional real power

(Vφ and therefore VT decreases slowly)
Terminal Voltage (VT)-Reactive Power (Q ) Characteristics

Voltage(VT)
Terminal
VTnl

VTf

-Q (Reactive Power) Qf Q (Reactive Power)

kVAR absorbed by kVAR supplied by
generator generator
Terminal Voltage (VT)-Reactive Power (Q ) Characteristics

How do we maintain the terminal voltage

for varying loads?

We vary the field current, decreasing it for increasing leading power factors and
increasing it for lagging and unity power factor loads.
Summary of Frequency and Terminal Voltage Characteristics
 To maintain the frequency of the generator for varying load, the governor set
points of the prime mover is adjusted to control its rpm and thus the generator
frequency.
 To maintain the terminal voltage of the generator, the field current of the
generator field circuit is adjusted to control the internally generated voltage
EA and thus the phase and terminal voltages, Vφ and VT.
Operation of Generators in Parallel with Large Power Systems
or Other Generators
Why Parallel Operation is Important?
1. Several generators can supply bigger load than a single machine.
2. Using several generators increases the reliability of the power system.
3. Using several generators allows removal of one generator for maintenance
without power interruption.
4. Using a single large generator to serve a relatively smaller load can lead to the
generator operating at less than full-load, which makes it less efficient, than
operating several machines operating at near full load.
Operation of Generators in Parallel with Large Power Systems
or Other Generators
Conditions for Parallel Operation?
The following conditions should be met when putting a generator in parallel with
a running system:

1. The RMS value of the oncoming generator must be equal to that of the
running system.
2. The phase angle of one phase of the oncoming generator must be the same as
that of the same phase of the running system.
3. For three-phase systems, the phase sequence of the oncoming generator must
be the same as that of the existing system.
4. The frequency of the oncoming generator must be slightly higher than that of
the running system.
Operation of Generators in Parallel with Large Power Systems
or Other Generators

What happens if conditions for parallel operation are not met?

 Operation of Similar Generators in Parallel

Load
G1 (Pload, Qload) G2
f

Pload

PG1=Pload Power (kW)

The frequency-power curve at the time G2 is connected
 Operation of Similar Generators in Parallel
 At the time G2 is connected, the real and reactive power requirement of the
load are still with G1.
 When frequency of G2 is gradually increased (through the governor set points
of the prime mover) , G2 will slowly shoulder part of the real power of the
load, while G1 will release part of the real power. The system operating
frequency fsys of the two generators will increase.
 When field current of G2 is gradually increased (through the field current
circuit in the G2), G2 will slowly shoulder part of the reactive power of the
load, while G1 will release part of the reactive power. The system terminal
voltage VT of the two generators will increase.
 Operation of Similar Generators in Parallel
 At any given time, the sum of the real power supplied by G1 & G2 is equal to
the real power demanded by the load. Likewise, the sum of the reactive power
supplied by G1 & G2 is equal to the reactive power demanded by the load.

Pload PG1  PG 2 Qload QG1  QG 2

 Operation of Similar Generators in Parallel

Pload

PG1=Pload Power (kW)

The frequency-power curve at the time G2 is connected

 Operation of Similar Generators in Parallel

Pload

PG1 PG2 Power (kW)

The frequency-power curve when frequency of G2 is increased

 Operation of Similar Generators in Parallel

Pload

PG1 PG2 Power (kW)

The frequency-power curve when frequency of G2 is further increased

 Operation of Similar Generators in Parallel

Pload

PG1 PG2 Power (kW)

The frequency-power curve when frequency of G2 is further increased

 Operation of Similar Generators in Parallel

VT

Qload

QG1=Qload Reactive Power (kVAR)

The terminal voltage-reactive power curve when G2 is connected

Operation of Similar Generators in Parallel

VT

Qload

QG1 QG2 Reactive Power (kVAR)

The terminal voltage-reactive power curve

when G2 field current is further increased
Operation of Similar Generators in Parallel

VT

Qload

QG1 QG2 Reactive Power (kVAR)

The terminal voltage-reactive power curve

when G2 field current is further increased
Operation of Similar Generators in Parallel

VT

Qload

QG1 QG2 Reactive Power (kVAR)

The terminal voltage-reactive power curve

when G2 field current is further increased
 Operation of Similar Generators in Parallel

Is it possible to change the real power sharing of the

two generators without changing the operating frequency?

Increase the governor set point of one generator and

simultaneously decrease the governor set point of the other
 Operation of Similar Generators in Parallel

f
fsys

Pload

PG1=Pload Power (kW)

The frequency-power curve at the time G2 is connected

 Operation of Similar Generators in Parallel

f
fsys

Pload

PG1 PG2 Power (kW)

The frequency-power curve when frequency of G2 is increased

 Operation of Similar Generators in Parallel

Is it possible to change the reactive power sharing of the

two generators without changing the terminal voltage?

Increase the field current of one generator and

simultaneously decrease the field current of the other
Operation of Similar Generators in Parallel

VT

Qload

QG1=Qload Reactive Power (kVAR)

The terminal voltage-reactive power curve

when G2 is connected
Operation of Similar Generators in Parallel

VT

Qload

QG1 QG2 Reactive Power (kVAR)

The terminal voltage-reactive power curve

when G2 field current is further increased
 Illustrative Problem 4
§ Two generators are supplying a load. Generator 1 has a no-load frequency of 61.5 Hz and a slope
of SP1 of 1 MW/Hz. Generator 2 has a no-load frequency of 60.0 Hz and a slope SP2 of 1
MW/Hz. The two generators are supplying a real load totaling 2.5 MW at 0.8 pf lagging.
a) At what frequency is this system operating, and how much power is supplied by each of
the two generators?
b) Suppose an additional 1-MW load were attached to this power system. what would the
new system frequency be, and how much power would G1 and G2 supply now?
c) With the system in the configuration described in part b, what will the system frequency
and generator powers be if the governor set points on G2 are increased by 0.5 Hz?
 More Illustrative Problems
1. There are two alternators, 100 kW, 3-ф in parallel are driven by shunt motors
whose speed-load characteristics are as follows: Alternator A: N NL= 600 rpm
and NFL=530 rpm; while alternator B: NNL= 590 rpm and NFL=550 rpm. What is
the greatest load that can be delivered without overloading either alternator?
(PT=171.428kW)
2. Two alternators are operating in parallel, supplying a load drawing 1000 kVA at
0.80pf lagging. If alternator A contributes 500 kVA at 0.60pf lagging, determine
the pf of alternator B. (0.928 lagging)
3. Alternator A (100kVA, 3-ф, 240 v, 60hz, 1800 rpm) is operating in parallel with
alternator B (125 kVA, 3-ф, 240 v, 60hz, 1800 rpm). The load of alternator A is
60kW at 90% pf lagging and the load of alternator B is 80kW at 70% pf
lagging. Determine the pf of the load. (0.784 lagging)
4. Two alternators are connected in parallel. The total load is 4250 kW at 0.85 pf
lagging. Alternator A operates with a load of 2125kW at 0.707 pf lagging.
Determine the kVA load of alternator B. (2185kVA)
 More Illustrative Problems
5. Two 3- φ 4160V, 60Hz alternators are operated in parallel. The total load of the
system as 1050 W at 75% lagging pf. If alternator A is carrying 700kW at 80%
pf lagging, determine kVAR of alternator B. (401kVAR)
6. Two Y-connected alternators A and B running in parallel supply the following
loads at 3.3kV:
Load 1: 800 kW at unity pf
Load 2: 600 kW at 0.8 pf lagging
Load 3: 400 kW at 0.707 pf lagging
If alternator A is adjusted to carry an armature current of 150A at 0.85pf
lagging, what is the armature current of alternator B?
 More Illustrative Problems
7. Two generators connected in parallel is supplying a load. Generator 1 has a no-
load frequency of 61.5Hz and a slope sP1 of 1MW/Hz. Generator 2 has a no-
load frequency of 61Hz and a slope sP2 of 1MW/Hz. The two generators are
supplying a real load totaling 2.5MW at 0.8 pf lagging.
(a) At what frequency is this system operating, and how much power is
supplied by each of the two generators? (60Hz , 1.5MW and 1MW)
(b) Suppose an additional 1-MW load were attached to this power system.
What would the new system frequency be,, and how much power would
G1 and G2 supply now. (59.5Hz, 2MW and 1.5MW)
(c) With the system in configuration described in part b, what will the
system frequency and generator powers
 References
 Electric Machinery Fundamentals, Stephen J. Chapman, 5th Edition,
McGraw Hill
END OF SESSION