Annexure - 6

REACTIVE CAPABILITY TESTING OF GENERATORS

1. Introduction:
SR grid experiences simultaneous existence of high voltage & Low Voltage
pockets while the desirable for secured grid operation is to have good voltage
profile near to rated system voltage in the entire SR grid. Voltage being a local
phenomena, the issue can be addressed by putting all Reactive sinks / Sources
into service to the required level within the permissible limits. An exercise was
carried out by SRPC/SRLDC to analyse the present performance and move
towards optimisation, based on the GT tap & Generation (MW, MVAR) data
submitted by the generators in the spl Meeting held on 25.07.13 at SRPC,
Bangalore. As a first step, co-ordination of GTs & ICTs tap positions was
studied and were advised for Tap change suiting system requirement.
In addition to proper demand side management & switching operation of
Reactors, optimisation of MVAR absorption / Injection by the generators plays a
vital role in maintaining the voltage profile within the IEGC mandated range.
Although the Manufacturer supplied Capability curves give a fair idea on the
extent to which the generators MVAR Capability can be utilised, the influence of
operating parameters as well as operator are significant in deciding absorption /
injection of MVAR quantum in real time grid operation. To facilitate the
operator’s real time decision making process effectively, an endeavour is made
to ascertain the MVAR absorption / injection of each generating unit in SR
within the safe practical limits. Hence Capability testing gains importance &
series of testing has been planned in Southern Region.
It is pertinent to mention that similar tests were carried out in Eastern &
Western Regions too. Their experience and feedback has been considered as
input for evolving the procedure to be followed in SR. However, the same will be
refined further with the practical experience that we may gain while conducting
the tests in Southern Region. Accordingly, the data during & after the test will
be filled & furnished in the attached format and any other data that becomes
necessity to be recorded during the test, the format will be changed to
accommodate the same for further testing in Southern Region.
The tentative details of Specific Requirements and testing procedure have been
given below. The testing procedure will be finalised with incorporation of
comments & feedback, if any.

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2. Specific Requirements

(1) Scheduling of any tests shall first be coordinated with the system operator.
System operators will assist in determining the amount of variation from scheduled
voltage that is acceptable. When scheduling, the seasons and times of day that are
conducive to the required Reactive Power capabilities shall be considered.

(2) The over excited reactive capability validation shall be conducted for about two
hours and leading (under excited) reactive power test for about one hour. Data for
the under-excited reactive capability validation may be recorded as soon as a limit
is encountered. Steady Real and Reactive Power output should be maintained
during the data collection interval. Data should be collected with all auxiliary
equipment needed for normal operation in service.

(3) For hydrogen-cooled generators, the hydrogen pressure should be at the

maximum operation pressure. If the maximum designed hydrogen pressure cannot
be maintained for normal operation, then the reason for this condition shall be
documented and the appropriate generator capability curve shall be used.
Additional engineering evaluation may be required to ensure expected reactive
capabilities are achievable.

(4) When the maximum reactive power capabilities are validated, the reactive power
at the generator terminals i.e. the generator step-up transformer (GT) primary (LV
side, after auxiliaries), and the GT secondary (HV side) shall be documented. The
corresponding MW outputs shall also be recorded.

(5) During the validation, the scheduled and actual voltages at the system bus and
the generator terminals shall also be recorded. In addition, the existing GT, UAT,
ST tap setting shall be documented.

(6) Reactive power testing for both over-excitation and under-excitation should be
done at rated load and at reducing loading levels.

(7) AVR should be in service

(8) If GT, ST, UAT taps are off-nominal, test should be repeated after changing the
taps (may be when the unit is under outage)

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(9) It is to be ensured that over-excitation trip (V/f) does not occur until the
generator terminal voltage is above 108%. During the test, it is expected that
generator terminal voltage may reach 105% and this should not cause tripping
through V/f protection.

(10) The load-drop compensation setting to be indicated.

(11) Details of relay settings of generator protection, control mode of operation,

droop setting, range of operating parameters as per OEM shall be furnished by the
generating station for unit wise about a week advance to SRLDC & SRPC

(12) Testing will be done well within the limits of parameters prescribed by the OEM
and will be discontinued in case of any abnormality like excess noise / vibration /
temperature / pressure / current rating / voltage rating / fluctuation and etc.,
observed during the testing

(13) No maintenance activities shall be planned on any of station equipments

during testing

(14) Necessary Advance communication of the testing schedule on day ahead basis
will be to all the LTA / MTOA / STOA customers of the generating station by the
Generator / Seller as well as by RLDC / SLDC. The revision of schedule, if any due
to testing process, the same will be effected in the implemented schedule prepared
in the following day.

3. Detailed Procedure

3A. Pre-Condition

In order to obtain the steady state MVAR capability of a generating unit, perform
the following tests. Operating conditions should be as close to normal as
practicable, including loading, unit temperatures (field, etc.) and pressures
(hydrogen, boi1er, etc.). Tests should be performed during periods of operation
which maximize the MVAR in/output of the machine. Therefore, testing should be
performed during a period when system voltage is most advantageous to yield these
results. When possible other synchronous machines or power system components
should be used, to obtain the most advantageous terminal voltage during these
tests.

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Ensure that controls such as volts/hertz 1imiters and UELs (see B) are coordinated
and at proper settings prior to testing to prevent unnecessary operation of
volts/hertz relays or loss of excitation relays

3B. Lagging Reactive Capability Test

While operating in a steady state mode at near rated output, raise excitation in
automatic voltage control mode until one of the following conditions occurs:

1) The 100% MVA rating of the machine is reached (reach capability curve)

2) Rated field current or field voltage is reached;

3) Terminal voltage limit is reached (105-llO%, depending on unit);

4) Generator temperature limits are reached (either stator winding or field winding);

5) The maximum/over excitation limiter is reached/alarms;

6) Maximum auxiliary bus voltage is reached.

Hold unit at this level for a minimum of 15 minutes (30 minutes is a preferable
duration) or till the temperature stabilizes then take the measurements outlined in
C. Repeat the test at reduced loading (MW) level.

3C. Leading Reactive Capability Test

While operating in a steady state mode at almost rated load, lower excitation in
automatic voltage control mode until one of the following conditions occurs:

CAUTION -
Determine first the expected MVAR limiting point, and do not proceed past
that point. If this point is reached without activating the under-excitation
limiters (UEL)/minimum excitation 1imiters (MEL) return to normal
excitation and determine why the limiter is not functioning. Also, ensure that
all transformer taps throughout the power plant are coordinated so the
terminal voltage can reach the minimum (90-95%, depending on unit) without
causing problems to the auxiliary power further in the plant.

1) UELs are activated;

2) 100% MVA rating is reached;

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3) Generator temperature limits are reached;(either stator or field)

4) Minimum auxiliary bus voltage is reached;
5) Minimum terminal voltage is reached.
Take measurements outlined in C

3D. Measurements & reporting : (Refer Detailed Formats in Annexures A & B)

1) Gross MW output at both test points;
2) Gross MVAR output limits of generator reached in tests A and B;
3) Generator terminal voltage at maximum positive and negative MVARs;
4) Actual field current at both test points;
5) Machine MVA rating, both original nameplate rating and tested rating, if
different;
6) Generator rated terminal voltage and rated field current;
7) Auxiliary bus voltage at minimum and maximum points;
8) Ambient temperature before conducting the lagging and leading tests

3E. The following machine parameters may be recorded for use during future
testing (in addition to values being reported) :
1) Generator field voltage;
2) Rotating exciter field current and voltage (if appropriate) ;
3) Generator stator currents;
4) Field current

E. PRECAUTIONS: If the generator does not normally operate in these regions,

strip chart recording of exciter quantities may be helpful for problem
resolution. All relay targets on the generator protection and excitation system
should be reset before testing. Some excitation systems transfer to manual or
backup control1ers if over-excitation is detected. If this happens, record the
level at which it occurs and reset the control to automatic before placing the
unit back in normal service. If the machine trips for any reason during these
tests, specify what tripped and why it tripped. Correct the problem and retest
the unit.

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4. Commercial conditions
a) General

1) All efforts shall be made to carry out the test during the period when generation
Scheduled from the station is less than its declared capability (DC).

2) The units other than the testing in the same stage/station (as the case may be )
will be adjusted to ensure minimum impact of UI. However the following is
proposed for insulating the generator from penalties.

b) ISGS Generating Unit

1) Rationale behind the Proposal : Schedules can be adjusted both on positive

UI as well as Negative UI as per the current practice explained below by
adjusting the schedules.

2) Any deviations of actual station/stage generation (ex-bus) as the case may be

w.r.t the schedule due to the testing of the identified unit will be taken care of by
making schedule station/stage (as the case may be) generation = actual
station/stage generation in order to insulate the concerned generating station from
being subjected to any financial penalties under the existing UI mechanism and the
drawls of the beneficiaries in the form of the station shall be deemed to have been
revised accordingly, during the period of test.

c) Regional Generators other than ISGS

1) Rationale behind the Proposal : Since most of the regional generators are
either MTOA or STOA contracts. The Negative UI can be taken care by
schedules by curtailing the contract whereas positive side contracts cannot
be increased. Accordingly the following is proposed.

1) Any positive deviation of actual station generation (ex-bus) w.r.t the schedule
due to the testing of the identified unit will be through UI Mechanism

2) Any Negative deviations of actual station generation (ex-bus) w.r.t the schedule
without tripping due to the testing of the identified unit will be taken care of by
making schedule station generation = actual station generation in order to insulate
the concerned generating station from being subjected to any financial penalties
under the existing UI mechanism and the drawls of the beneficiaries / purchase in

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the form of STOA / MTOA / LTA of the station shall be deemed to have been
revised accordingly, during the period of test.

3) Any tripping of the unit during the period of test leading to the Negative
deviations / Positive deviations while ramping back will be taken care of by making
schedule station generation = actual station generation in order to insulate the
concerned generating station from being subjected to any financial penalties under
the existing UI mechanism and the drawls of the beneficiaries / purchase in the
form of STOA / MTOA / LTA of the station shall be deemed to have been revised
accordingly till the restoration of the unit,

d) State Generators / other than mentioned at item no (b) & (c):

1) Rationale behind the Proposal : Since states in SR are not having intrastate
ABT & they can adjust the generation of the state as whole. The following is
proposed

2.As mutually agreed by the states & generators.

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