Digital Control of 180MW Francis Turbines: Controller Design, Simulation, and Operational Results

The features of a new hydro-power station are outlined as are some specifications that the customer required of a digital controller. Both hardware and software aspects of this recently developed digital governor are then described. To investigate the expected dynamic behaviour of the plant and to design the control algorithms, a simulation study was carried out. The results of this early study were successfully verified by field tests after commissioning the plant.