Power System Stability Lecture

EE4400: Power Engineering 3
Power System Stability
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6 Power System Stability
Question:
What do we mean by the term power system stability?
Answer:
It is desirable for all elements in a power system to operate within a stable

range of values. It is also desirable that the system returns to a stable state after
a system disturbance such as when a change in load or generation occurs, or
after a contingency such as a fault and/or outage occurs.
Power System Stability can be separated into two main categories, angle stability and voltage
stability:
1. Angle Stability can be defined as the ability of interconnected synchronous
machines of a power system to remain in synchronism
2. Voltage Stability can be broadly defined as the ability of a system to maintain
acceptable voltages following a system contingency or disturbance.
In this chapter of the notes we will focus on the first of these two main categories of power
system stability, angle stability.
6.1 Angle Stability

Power systems are generally made up of a large interconnection of synchronous machines. In
normal operation these machines remain in synchronism with each other, maintaining steady
synchronising frequency and constant machine power angle differences between each other.
Following a disturbance in a system the frequencies of synchronous machines undergo
transient deviations from the synchronous frequency of 50Hz and the machine power angles
undergo transient change.
The category of angle stability can be considered in terms of two main subcategories:
1. Steady-State/Dynamic: This form of instability results from the inability to maintain
synchronism and/or dampen out system transients and oscillations caused by small
system changes, such as continual changes in load and/or generation.
2. Transient: This form of instability results from the inability to maintain synchronism
after large disturbances such as system faults and/or equipment outages.
These notes will focus in particular on the transient stability subcategory and on the
techniques that can be used to analyse the transient stability of a system following a
disturbance.
The aim of transient stability studies being to determine if the machines in a system will
return to a steady synchronised state following a disturbance.
Author: Dr Craig Aumuller

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6.1.1 The Swing Equation

Consider a generating unit consisting of a three-phase synchronous generator and prime
mover, as shown in Figure 6-1.
Figure 6-1 Generating Unit
The motion of the synchronous generators rotor is determined by newtons second law, which
is given as:
J m (t ) = Tm (t ) Te (t ) = Ta (t )
(6.1.1.1)
Where
J
m
Tm
Te
Ta
= Total moment of inertia of the rotating masses (prime mover and generator) (kgm2)
= Rotor angular acceleration (rad/s2)
= Mechanical torque supplied by the prime mover minus the retarding torque due to
mechanical losses (eg. Friction) (Nm)
= Electrical torque, accounting for the total three-phase power output and losses (Nm)
= Net accelerating torque (Nm)
The machine and electrical torques,Tm and Te , are positive for generator operation.
The rotor angular acceleration is given by
d m (t ) d 2 m (t )
=
dt
dt 2
d (t )
m (t ) = m
dt
m (t ) =
(6.1.1.2)
(6.1.1.3)
Where
m = Rotor angular velocity (rad/s)

m = Rotor angular position with respect to a stationary axis (rad)

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In steady state conditions the mechanical torque equals the electrical torque and the
accelerating torque is zero. There is no acceleration and the rotor speed is constant at the
synchronous velocity.
When the mechanical torque is more than the electrical torque then the acceleration torque is
positive and the speed of the rotor increases.
When the mechanical torque is less than the electrical torque then the acceleration torque is
negative and the speed of the rotor decreases.
Since we are interested in the rotor speed relative to the synchronous speed it is convenient to
measure the rotor angular position with respect to a synchronously rotating axis instead of a
stationary one.
We therefore define
m (t ) = msyn t + m (t )
(6.1.1.4)
Where
msyn = Synchronous angular velocity of the rotor, rad/s

m
= Rotor angular position with respect to a synchronously rotating reference
To understand the concept of the synchronously rotating reference axis consider the diagram
in Figure 6-2. In this example the rotor is rotating at half the synchronous speed, msyn / 2 ,
such that in the time it takes for the reference axis to rotate 45 the rotor only rotates 22.5
and the rotor angular position with reference to the rotating axis changes from -45 to -67.5.
Figure 6-2 Synchronously rotating reference axis

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From (6.1.1.2) and (6.1.1.4), we see that equation (6.1.1.1) can be written as
d 2 m (t )
d 2 m (t )
=J
= Tm (t ) Te (t ) = Ta (t )
J m (t ) = J
dt 2
dt 2
(6.1.1.5)
Being that we are analysing a power system we are interested in values of power more than
we are in values of torque. It is therefore more convenient to work with expressions of power.
Furthermore it is convenient to consider this power in per unit rather than actual units.
Power is equal to the angular velocity times the torque and per unit power can be obtained by
dividing by S rated , so that:
J m (t ) d 2 m (t ) m (t )Tm (t ) m (t )Te (t ) pm (t ) pe (t )
=
=
= pmpu (t ) pepu (t )
S rated
dt 2
S rated
S rated
(6.1.1.6)
pmpu
= Mechanical power supplied by the prime mover minus mechanical losses (per unit)
pepu
= Electrical power output of generator plus electrical losses (per unit)
We define a constant value known as the normalised inertia constant, or H constant.

stored kinetic energy at synchronous speed
generator voltampere rating
1 2
J msyn
=2
( joules / VA or per unit sec onds )
S rated
H=
(6.1.1.7)
Equation (6.1.1.6) becomes
m (t ) d 2 m (t )
2H 2
= pmpu (t ) pepu (t ) = papu (t )
msyn dt 2
Where papu
(6.1.1.8)
= Accelerating power
We define per-unit rotor angular velocity as:
pu (t ) =
m (t )
msyn
(6.1.1.9)

d 2 m (t )
pu (t )
msyn
dt 2
2H
(6.1.1.10)

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When a synchronous generator has P poles, the synchronous electrical angular velocity, syn ,
known more correctly as the synchronous electrical radian frequency, can be related to the
synchronous mechanical angular velocity by the following relationship.
syn =
P
msyn
2
(6.1.1.11)
To understand how this relationship arises, consider that the number of mechanical radians in
one full revolution of the rotor is 2. If, for instance, a generator has 4 poles (2 pairs), and
there are 2 electrical radians between poles in a pair then the electrical waveform will go
through 2*2=4 electrical radians within the same revolution of the rotor.
In general the number of electrical radians in one revolution is the number of mechanical
radians times the number of pole pairs (the number of poles divided by two).
The relationship shown in (6.1.1.11) also holds for the electrical angular acceleration (t ) ,
the electrical radian frequency (t ) , and the electrical power angle values.
P
m (t )
2
P
(t ) = m (t )
2
P
(t ) = m (t )
2
(t ) =
(6.1.1.12)
From (6.1.1.9) we see that

2
m (t ) P (t ) (t )
=
=
pu (t ) =
2
msyn
syn syn
(6.1.1.13)
Therefore equation (6.1.1.10) can be written in electrical terms rather than mechanical:
2H
syn
pu (t )
d 2 (t )
dt 2
(6.1.1.14)
This equation is known as the SWING-EQUATION and is the fundamental equation in

determining rotor dynamics in transient stability studies.
The swing equation is non-linear because pepu (t ) is a non-linear function of and because of
the pu (t ) term. The rotor speed, however, does not vary a great deal from the synchronous
speed during transients and a value of pu (t ) 1.0 is often used in hand calculations.

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6.1.2 Electric power equation

In the swing equation the mechanical power from the prime mover, pmpu , is considered to be
constant. This is a reasonable assumption as the conditions in the electrical network can be
expected to change before the slower acting control governor can cause the turbine to react.
The electrical power, pepu , will therefore determine wether the rotor accelerates, decelerates
or remains at a constant synchronous speed. Electrical network disturbances resulting from
extreme changes in system loading, network faults and circuit breaker operation will cause
the generator output to change rapidly and transients will exist.
The synchronous machine is represented in transient stability studies by a transient internal
voltage E ' in series with its transient reactance X 'd as shown in Figure 6-3.
Figure 6-3 Simplified synchronous machine model for transient stability studies
Generators are normally connected to systems composed of transmission lines, transformers

and other machines. When systems are large enough, as they most often are, an infinite bus
behind a system reactance can represent them. An infinite bus is an ideal voltage source that
maintains constant voltage magnitude, phase and frequency. Figure 6-4 illustrates the
connection arrangement of the synchronous generator to the equivalent system.
Figure 6-4 Synchronous generator connected to a system equivalent
The real power delivered from the generator to the infinite bus (and therefore the system) is
therefore:
E ' Vbus
pe =
sin = pmax sin
(6.1.2.1)
X eq
Where
X eq = X 'd + X

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6.1.3 The equal area criterion

A method known as the equal area criterion can be used for a quick prediction of stability.
This method determines if a machine maintains its stability after a disturbance by graphical
interpretation of the energy stored in the rotating mass. It is, however, restricted to either one
machine systems connected to an infinite bus or to two machine systems. More complex and
accurate numerical solution of the non-linear swing equation can be performed by computer
and is especially applicable to the analysis of multi-machine systems. In these notes we will
not focus on this numerical solution method, preferring to look at the simpler equal area
method.
Figure 6-5 shows plots of electrical power pe and mechanical power pm versus the power
angle . The generating unit illustrated in Figure 6-5 is initially operating in a steady state
pe = pm = pm 0 and = 0 .
If a step change in the mechanical power occurs so that it increases to pm = pm1 at time
equals zero. The rotor has inertia and as such the rotor position cannot change
instantaneously, m (0) = m (0+) . As the electrical power angle is related to the rotor
position and electrical power is related to the electrical power angle then the electrical power
does not change instantaneously, (0) = (0+) = 0 and pe (0) = pe (0+ ) .
The mechanical and electrical powers will be unbalanced and the accelerating power will act
to increase the rotor speed and will increase. When the angle reaches the desired value of
1 then the acceleration, d 2 / dt 2 , will be zero but as the velocity is above synchronous the
angle will continue to increase and overshoot the target. Once past 1 the electrical power
becomes greater than the mechanical power and the rotor decelerates. After reaching a
maximum value it begins to swing back towards 1. If there were no damping present then
the angle would continue to oscillate about the 1 point. Damping, however is present due
to mechanical and electrical losses, and eventually settles down to its final steady state
value 1.
Figure 6-5 Electrical and Mechanical power versus

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If we consider now the swing equation and assume that pu (t ) 1.0 then:
2 H d 2
= pmpu pepu
syn dt 2
(6.1.3.1)
If we multiply both sides by d / dt and use the identity

2
d d
d
= 2
dt dt
dt
2
d
2
dt

2 H d 2
syn dt 2
dt
d
H d d
= ( pmpu pepu )
=
dt
syn dt dt
(6.1.3.2)
Multiplying equation (6.1.3.2) by dt and integrate from 0 to we obtain the following

expression:
d
d
= ( pmpu pepu )d
syn 0 dt 0
H
(6.1.3.3)
Or
H d
syn dt
= ( pmpu pepu )d
(6.1.3.4)
Note that the above integration begins at 0 and ends at some arbitrary angle . The value of
d / dt is zero at 0 as the machine is in steady state. The value of d / dt is also zero at
equal to 2, as the rotor changes direction back towards 1. The left hand side of (6.1.3.4)
equals zero for = 2 and therefore:
( p
mpu
pepu )d = 0
(6.1.3.5)
If we separate (6.1.3.5) into accelerating and decelerating areas we obtain the following
equation:
1
) d + ( p p ) d = 0
(1p442p44
3 1442443
mpu
epu
areaA1
mpu
epu
(6.1.3.6)
areaA 2

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Note how the two elements of (6.1.3.6) equate to the areas A1 and A2 shown in Figure 6-5
and in order for the two equations to be satisfied the two areas must be equal. This is why we
call this the equal area criterion.
In practice, sudden changes in mechanical power do not occur as the time constants
associated with the prime mover dynamics are in the order of seconds. However, stability
phenomena similar to that described above can also occur from sudden changes in electrical
power due to system changes such as system faults.
The following three examples illustrate how the equal area criterion can be used to determine
if a system will be unstable after a three-phase fault. The determination of the critical
clearing time (CCT or t cr ), which is the longest fault duration that can be allowed for
stability to be maintained, will also discussed.

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6.1.4 Design methods for improving transient stability

There are a number of design measures that can be implemented to improve the transient
stability of a power system:
1. Improve the maximum power transfer capability
Improving the maximum power transfer capability of a system means that power can
be transferred through alternative un-faulted portions of the network when a fault
occurs. The effect of a fault on the system will not be as extreme. The maximum
transfer capability of a system can be improved by the following methods:
a. Implement and use higher system voltage levels (system losses will decrease
as current flows will be lower, especially important in cases where line
distances are large)
b. Install additional transmission lines.
c. Install lines and transformers with smaller reactance values
d. Install series capacitive transmission line compensation to reduce the overall
reactance of lines
e. Install static VAR compensators and flexible AC transmission systems
(FACTS)
2. Implement high speed fault clearing
It is vital to clear faults before the critical clearing time is reached so the quicker a
fault is cleared the better.
3. Implement high speed re-closure of circuit breakers
As the majority of transmission line short circuits are temporary, re-closure post fault
can be beneficial in providing better power transfer capability. Care must be taken in
this case to ensure that the re-closing on a permanent fault and any subsequent reopening will not adversely affect the stability of the system.
4. Implement single pole switching
The majority of short circuits are single line to ground and the independent switch out
of only the faulted phase means that some power flow can continue across the faulted
line. Studies have shown that single line to ground faults are self-clearing even when
only the faulted phase is de-energised.
5. Use generators with larger machine inertia and with lower transient reactance
A larger synchronous machine inertia constant (H) results in a reduction in angular
acceleration and therefore a slowing down of angular swings. The critical clearing
time is increased.
Reducing the machine transient reactance increases the power transfer capability
during faults and in the periods post fault.

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6. Use fast responding, high gain exciters

Modern excitation systems can be designed to act quickly and with high gain in the
event of sensing a low terminal voltage during faults. The effect is to increase the
generator output during the fault and post fault periods. Critical clearing times are
increased.
7. Implement fast valving
Some steam turbines are equipped with fast valving to divert steam flows and rapidly
decrease the mechanical output. When a fault occurs near to the generator the
electrical power output is reduced and the fast valving acts to balance the mechanical
and electrical powers. This provides reduced acceleration and longer critical clearing
times.
8. Breaking Resistors
In power systems, areas of generation can be temporarily separated from the load
areas. When the separation occurs the breaking resister can be inserted into the
generation area for a second or two in order to slow the acceleration.

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EE4400: Power Engineering 3