Frequency Control in Power Plants -- Droop

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SUMMARY

Power operators in modern power plants adjust the droop setting primarily through electronic means, often utilizing SCADA systems. While mechanical flyball governors still exist, they are largely outdated, and the droop (gain) setting typically remains constant. Changing the droop setting is rare and usually not done remotely, as all turbines must maintain the same droop setting to ensure equal load sharing during grid disturbances. The discussion highlights the transition from hydraulic and mechanical systems to digital controls in power generation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of SCADA systems in power generation
  • Knowledge of governor droop settings and their implications
  • Familiarity with turbine operation and load sharing principles
  • Basic concepts of hydraulic and mechanical governors
NEXT STEPS
  • Research SCADA system configurations for droop control in power plants
  • Learn about the implications of governor droop settings on load sharing
  • Explore the differences between mechanical and electronic governors in power generation
  • Investigate case studies on droop setting adjustments during grid disturbances
USEFUL FOR

Power plant operators, electrical engineers, and anyone involved in the management and optimization of power generation systems.

LagCompensator
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Hi,

how do power operators change the droop setting in modern power plants? Back in the days it was with help of a flyball governor(?). In todays power plants do operators adjust some sort of gain electronically via a scada system or something?
 
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LagCompensator said:
Hi,

how do power operators change the droop setting in modern power plants? Back in the days it was with help of a flyball governor(?). In todays power plants do operators adjust some sort of gain electronically via a scada system or something?

Pretty much yes. Everything today is electronic or digital. However, some mechanical flyball governors still exist.

By the way, in most cases, the governor droop (gain) stays constant. Reasons to change its value are rare. I've never heard someone request for the capability to adjust it from a remote location.
 
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anorlunda said:
By the way, in most cases, the governor droop (gain) stays constant.

All the turbines on your system need to have the same droop setting else they won't share load equally during grid upsets.

If there's a reason to change it "on the fly" I'm unaware, and i find the thought frightening.
Our governor was hydraulic, droop set by a mechanical adjustment during turbine overhaul when the control block is apart. I think ours was the last one of those ever built.

old jim
 
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