Pages From 10.11648.j.eas.20180301.12-2

Engineering and Applied Sciences
2018; 3(1): 6-11

http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/eas
doi: 10.11648/j.eas.20180301.12
ISSN: 2575-2022 (Print); ISSN: 2575-1468 (Online)
Effect of Inertia Constant on Generator Frequency and

Rotor Angle
Ngyarmunta Alan Audu, Odaba Alphaeus, Talatu Adamu
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, Nigeria
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Ngyarmunta Alan Audu, Engr. Odaba Alpheous, Miss Talatu Adamu. Effect of Inertia Constant on Generator Frequency and Rotor Angle.
Engineering and Applied Sciences. Vol. 3, No. 1, 2018, pp. 6-11. doi: 10.11648/j.eas.20180301.12
Received: November 25, 2017; Accepted: December 23, 2017; Published: February 1, 2018
Abstract: Inertia constant of a rotating system describes the initial transient, frequency and rotor angle behavior of that
system when subjected to a real power disturbance. Therefore, the inertia constant of a system can be a useful tool when
investigating the frequency and rotor angle stability of a system. The use of the swing equation gives us a viable method for
estimating the inertia constant, if a measurement of that can provide time stamps measurements of the frequency and power
dynamics during a disturbance. In this project work, effect of inertia constant of synchronous generator (machine constant) on
its frequency and rotor angle is investigated. Swing equation is used for modeling the dynamics of the system. It is then built
and simulated using MATLAB. The analysis is done by observing how the frequency and rotor angle changes when the inertia
constant is varied while keeping all system parameters constant. The study is extended to investigate the dynamics of such
system with very high and those with very low inertia constant and the results show that the higher the value of the inertia
constant, the higher the settling time and of course the maximum overshoot.
Keywords: Inertia Constant, Rotor Angle, Swing Equation, Frequency
electrical power. Before the activation of primary frequency

1. Introduction control, this imbalance is compensated by the kinetic energy
A Power System consists of the generating machines and released to the grid (or drawn from it) by rotating masses. In
transmission network in which the generating machine case of a severe disturbance, if the power mismatch is not
includes turbine, alternator and excitation system [1]. Every eliminated sufficiently fast by the protection systems,
synchronous generator has rotating rotor which has some generators of the system might lose synchronism with the
inertia that depends upon the stored rotating energy in the rest of the system. The loss of stability may lead to major
system. Machine inertia significantly affects the rate of rise consequences, such as damage of equipment and widespread
and fall of system frequency. In another words, frequency of outages. Inertia of the machines defines the rate of their
rotor oscillations is very much affected by the size of the acceleration or deceleration and, thus, the rate of the
generator and its inertia. This inertia can be provided by frequency deviation. High level of rotational inertia in the
flywheels, batteries with fast inverters, and other energy system prevents the system frequency from changing too fast
storage devices [2 - 4]. after a disturbance [5, 6].
Inertia is an inherent property of synchronous generators, Inertia constant of a system is likely to become an
and frequency dynamics of the system within the first increasingly dynamic property in the future. This is because
seconds after a disturbance is governed by inertial response the available generation will be gradually replaced from the
of the rotating machines. For reliable operation of a power traditional generation systems, made up of bulky thermal
system, the operating frequency should be kept close to its and hydro units to a more diverse and intermittent
nominal value. To ensure this, generated power should match generation with low or even zero inertia [7]. The
power demanded by the load devices. Any disturbance in the progressively dynamic nature of the inertia constant will
grid leads to an imbalance between produced and consumed mean that the frequency response of a system to any given
Engineering and Applied Sciences 2018; 3(1): 6-11 7
perturbation will become less predictable. This is an issue 4. Transient stability is the ability of the power system to
as the frequency stability for a particular set of operating maintain synchronism when subjected to a severe
limits [8]. transient disturbance, e.g. a short circuit on a
Moreover, it is worth mentioning that high penetration of transmission line. Whether a system remains stable or
converter-connected renewable generation and consumer not after a large disturbance, depends on the initial state
devices lead to reduction of rotational inertia in modern of this system and the severity of the disturbance.
power systems. Low level of inertia in a power system
affects system operation and its stability margin. Inertial 2. Aim and Objectives
response, inherent to rotating machines, deteriorates with
the rise of inverter-connected RES. Since inertia level The aim of this project work is to investigate the impact of
defines the rate of frequency deviation in the first seconds inertia changes on frequency and rotor angle oscillations
after a disturbance, reduced inertia results in faster using a detailed model of synchronous machine. The
frequency dynamics [9 - 11]. Operation of primary objectives to be used for achieving the stated aim are:-
frequency control and protection systems becomes more a. Formulation of the synchronous generator dynamics
challenging due to the larger and faster transient frequency thereby relating the inertia constant with the frequency
deviations. One of the measures to mitigate the effects of and rotor angle change.
reduced inertia is implementation of faster primary b. Developing the model in MATLAB environment to
frequency control. Another possible solution is provision of carry out the dynamic simulation of the system
artificial rotational inertia in the system. The latter option c. Investigating the frequency and rotor angle dynamics
also allows providing additional damping for inter-area using different inertia constant
oscillations [12]. d. Investigating the system response with very low and
It is paramount to this study define the following important very high inertia constant.
terms [13].
1. Power system stability is the ability of an electric power 3. Modeling and Simulation
system, for a given initial operating condition, to regain
a state of operating equilibrium after being subjected to During a fault, electrical power is reduced suddenly while
a physical disturbance, with most system variables mechanical power remains constant, thereby accelerating the
bounded so that practically the entire system remains rotor. To maintain transient stability, the generator must
intact. The three main categories of power system transfer the excess energy toward the system. These dynamic
stability are rotor angle stability, voltage stability and phenomena in power systems have a complex
frequency stability. The main focus of this work is on electromagnetic and mechanical nature. The simplest model
rotor angle stability and frequency stability. of electro-mechanical swings in a power system represents
2. Frequency stability refers to the ability of a power solely the motion mechanics of the synchronous machine
system to maintain steady frequency following a severe rotors and is based on the swing equation:
system upset resulting in a significant imbalance
between generation and load. For the reliable operation = −
of the system, the probability of large frequency
excursions should be minimized.
where
3. Rotor angle stability is defined as the ability of
H is the inertia constant of the synchronous generator
synchronous machine of an interconnected power
is the mechanical angle of the rotor
system to remain in synchronism after being subjected
Tm is the mechanical torque on the rotor
to a disturbance. It depends on the ability to equilibrium
Te is the electrical torque on the rotor
between electromagnetic torque and mechanical torque
Swing equation is a nonlinear function of power angle. For
of each synchronous machine in the system. Instability
small disturbance, the swing equation can be linearized with
that may result occurs in the form of increasing angular
some approximation. Consider a small deviation, ∆ in
swings of some generators leading to their loss of
power angle.
synchronism with other generators. Rotor angle stability
analysis involves the analysis of the effect of small = +∆
disturbances on the system of interest and the dynamic
behavior of the system subjected to a large disturbance +∆
= − sin +∆
(transient stability).
∆
+ = − sin cos ∆ + cos sin ∆
Since ∆ is small, cos ∆ ≅ 1 and sin ∆ ≅ ∆ , and we

have

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Engineering and Applied Sciences

2018; 3(1): 6-11

Effect of Inertia Constant on Generator Frequency and

To cite this article:

electrical power. Before the activation of primary frequency

Since ∆ is small, cos ∆ ≅ 1 and sin ∆ ≅ ∆ , and we

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