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T EC H N I C A L N OT E

Support for generator customers in complying

with grid code requirements

Introduction Interpreting the grid code

The purpose of grid codes is to maintain stable, Grid codes are chiefly concerned with transmission
safe and economic operation of the electricity system voltage and frequency variations, and fault
network at all times. They consist of rules that must events, as well as power plant reactive power
be complied with in order to connect a power plant capabilities and safe operation. The requirements
to the network. These rules relate not only to usually relate to the power plant connection voltage
power plant overall performance, but also to the and nominal power, rather than the nominal
performance of individual plant components. voltage and power of generator units.

As a generator manufacturer, ABB can work Generator performance plays an essential part in
together with customers to interpret the grid code network voltage stability. However, many of the
and determine which requirements apply to requirements should be seen from both the
generators. ABB can then assist in selecting the withstand and support perspective – i.e. they
correct generator to comply with the requirements should be seen as relating to:
and therefore to achieve certification. The actual • how the generator equipment – as components
process of ensuring compliance with the grid code of the power plant – should withstand different
remains the responsibility of the customer. network events
• how the generator should support network
The information in this Technical note is provided stability when such events occur
for the high voltage 1-15 kV AMG series of genera-
tors for diesel and gas engines, but it also applies If the generator requirements are already known,
to most of ABB’s turbine driven DOL (direct-on-line ABB can directly recommend the most suitable
connected) synchronous generators. design. Otherwise ABB can support the customer in
analyzing the grid code requirements to produce a
mutually agreed list of key generator requirements.
The main generator requirements typically fall into
the following performance categories:
• steady state operation range
(voltage / frequency/power)
• dynamic stability and network support
(fault ride-through)
• voltage control and excitation performance
(reaction time and reliability)
• generator and excitation modelling
(standard models and factory acceptance testing)

ABB’s engineering team will check the generator

design and if needed carry out modifications to
ensure it meets the agreed requirements. This
process involves a number of trade-offs between
different parameters to secure key performance
areas like efficiency, stability, loadability, voltage
performance, etc.

This Technical note aims to provide a general

introduction to the subject, and the modifications
described below are examples of the techniques
that are most commonly used. In this brief article it
is not possible to provide comprehensive coverage
of all the techniques and methods available.
2 S U P P O R T FO R G E N E R ATO R C U S TO M E R S I N CO M P LY I N G W I T H G R I D CO D E R E Q U I R E M E N T S T EC H N I C A L N OT E

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Meeting the generator requirements

— Steady state operation range consideration is given to ensuring that the voltage
01 Distribution of
magnetic flux den- The generator’s reactance level will be adjusted to a and current waveform harmonics do not exceed
sity – the generator’s low value in order to ensure steady state stability at acceptable levels.
magnetic flux density
will be limited to ensure all required reactive power levels, with the necessary
that highly non-linear margins. This is mainly done by varying the number In addition to basic design changes, electromag-
behavior is avoided.
— of stator turns and length of the magnetic core, netic losses and their distribution can be further
02 Generator power but other dimension changes are considered on optimized for wider voltage / frequency / power
diagram – generator
stability at all required a case-by-case basis to ensure the best overall operation zones and specialized uses like
reactive power levels performance. Depending on the voltage range, temporary condenser operation.
is ensured, with the
necessary margins. the insulation system will be adjusted to achieve the
expected design lifetime. The magnetic flux density The generator’s basic mechanical structures,
will be restricted to ensure that highly non-linear like winding support, frame and bearings always
behavior is avoided and total excitation remains meet the mechanical demands imposed by the
feasible at different operation points. Additional design modifications described above.

P/Q DIAGRAM

1. Stator current at rated load 4. Minimum excitation limit

2. Nominal working point 5. Stability limit
3. Rated rotor current
kW
27000

24000
3

5 21000

18000

1
15000

2 12000

9000

6000
4
3000

0
-24000 -18000 -12000 -6000 0 6000 12000 18000 kVAr

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01 02
 S U P P O R T FO R G E N E R ATO R C U S TO M E R S I N CO M P LY I N G W I T H G R I D CO D E R E Q U I R E M E N T S T EC H N I C A L N OT E 3

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03

— Dynamic stability and network support Voltage control and excitation performance
03 Modular structures
allow the addition of an To ensure optimal transient performance, the ABB supplies the UNITROL® series of automatic
inertia wheel (in this case transient and sub-transient reactance levels are voltage regulators, which means that customers
with integrated fan)
and/or other mechanical adjusted. Designers can adjust all the generator’s can source their generator and AVR from the
design modifications. reactances by modifying the stator windings same vendor for optimal compatibility and
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04 Example of fault and the magnetic core, and they can change assured performance. The compact, powerful
ride-through defined the relationship between reactances by – for UNITROL® 1000 range of AVRs provides stable and
by grid code. Voltage
recovery is the most example – changing the pole shoe design reliable control with full support for grid codes.
demanding aspect of (transient reactance) and damper winding They include an optional built-in Power System
a fault ride-through
event. design (sub-transient reactance). The required Stabilizer (PSS) and feature fast detection of
low voltage ride-through time margins are voltage dips. ABB supplies detailed computer
achieved – in addition to reactance modification representations of the internal control algorithm
– by adjusting the system inertia, which is usually and IEEE models for system simulations.
done by the addition of a flywheel. In this case,
the generator’s mechanical structures, frame Additional services available from ABB include
and bearings are upgraded to meet the mechanical calculation of the PSS parameters, simulations of
demands imposed by the design changes. reference step responses and stability simulations
Special attention is paid to material strengths for different network conditions.
and structural durability in demanding transient
operation. 1.20

1.00
ABB’s modular generator design provides
great flexibility, allowing mechanical design
0.80
modifications, such as the addition of a flywheel,
to be realized.
0.60

The automatic voltage regulator (AVR), which

0.40
is described in the next section, also plays
an important role with regard to low voltage
0.20
ride-through.
0
0 1.00 2.00 3.00
G1: Terminal voltage in p.u.
NO: Network voltage profile, magnitude in p.u.
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04
— Generator and excitation modelling
05 AC exciter system
with non-controlled ABB can supply all the data relating to the generator,
rectifier according exciter and AVR that customers need. The widely
to IEEE 421.5-2016
used standard two-axis model parameters are
provided as part of the generator’s technical
specifications. Additionally, IEEE 421.5-2016
excitation system model parameters are available.

The accuracy of the parameters is continuously

monitored. As a common practice, selected
IEC 60034-4 parameter measurements are carried
out as part of the factory acceptance testing (FAT)
process. Additional testing can be performed
according to the customer’s needs: for example,
generator transient parameters can be tested
using the sudden short-circuit method.
—
05
ABB can perform preliminary transient simulations
to verify the generator’s dynamic performance.
Larger power plant simulations are the
responsibility of the customer, but ABB can
provide support in the form of insight and
guidance with regard to the generator and
voltage control.

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Links for further information:
Synchronous generators for diesel and gas engines
http://new.abb.com/motors-generators/generators/generators-for-diesel-and-gas-engines

ABB Indirect excitation systems

http://new.abb.com/power-electronics/excitation-systems/indirect-excitation-systems

European Commission on grid code regulation

http://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/wholesale-market/electricity-network-codes

421.5-2016 – IEEE Recommended Practice for Excitation System Models for

Power System Stability Studies
https://standards.ieee.org/findstds/standard/421.5-2016.html
9AKK107037 EN 10-2017

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