FREQUENCY CONTROL

-- Bhanu Bhushan -(April, 2011)

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What is frequency ?
How would you explain it to a layman ?

Number of times the voltage reverses

in half a second.

From where does it come ?

What governs the frequency ?

Speed at which the turbine - generators

are running at that time.
3000 rpm = 50 rps = 50.0 Hz
2940 rpm = 49 rps = 49.0 Hz
( for 2 - pole generators )
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Is it same all over a system ?

Yes.
But, why ?

Because polarity of voltages produced

by all generators must be same at a
particular time, and must reverse together.

Is the frequency constant ?

No.
Why not ?
Why does frequency keep changing
all the time ?

(Transparencies)
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 Because total consumer load keeps

changing from time to time, and
Because total generation is not changing
in step with the change in total load.
Situation is seriously aggravated when
governors are not in normal operation.
How is the frequency stabilized and
controlled ?
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What happens if the frequency differs from

the rated value of 50.0 Hz ?
What are the adverse effects of high and
low frequency ?

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 Motors & driven equipment :

over-loading / reduced output
Transformers :
--- / over-fluxing
Capacitors : --- / effectiveness falls
Reactors : effectiveness falls / -- Transmission lines : parameters change
Steam turbines : resonance of LP blades
Generating stations : --- / MW capability
falls
Power system : effect on voltage profile.
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Permissible band of frequency ?

Obligation to consumers
Requirement of power plants
Requirement of system operation
Electric clocks.
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 Indian Electricity Rules, 1956 : +/- 3%

IEC for Steam turbines : + 1%, - 2%
IEGC ?
England :

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The basic function of governor

on a prime mover
To vary the power input to match the
power output, and thereby contain the
speed change.
Additionally, in case of grid-connected
generating units, to enable stable parallel
operation by equitable sharing of system
load changes.

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(G1+G2+G3) = (L1+L2+L3)

L1

L2

GI

G2

REGION
x=L1-G1

L3

G3

REGION
y=L3-G3

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 Suppose L1 increases to L1. Frequency would

decline to a new level at which (G1+G2+G3) =
(L1+L2+L3)
Then x = L1 G1; y = L3 G3
x may not be = x; y may not be = y
Such fluctuations keep happening all the time.
Let us assume that L2 & L3 remain unchanged
when frequency declines.
Then (G1+G2+G3-G1-G2-G3) = L1-L1.

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 If all generating units are on FGMO with an equal

droop, (G1-G1)/G1 = (G2-G2)/G2 =
(G3-G3)/G3 = (L1-L1)/(L1+L2+L3).
In Western countries, it is mandatory to
continuously regulate G1 such that x = x within
10-15 minutes, assuming x was = interchange
schedule for the State to begin with.
This is possible only if (G1-G1) = (L1-L1).
This requires that every constituent has adequate
spinning reserves and AFC. (Self-sufficiency)
No concept of region-wide merit-order.
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Steps in frequency control

Change of total generation in the system to
match the new total system load, through
FGMO, without any time delay.
Change the total generation in affected area to
absorb the change in area load.
Change the generation in affected area to
restore merit-order. May be combined with the
previous step.
Additional sale / purchase for economy.
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 Frequency and all tie-line flows automatically

return to the previous level, without any
corrective action in other control areas. The
latters generation also returns to previous level,
without any change in governor settings.
Can this conventional scheme work after vertical
unbundling of power utilities? How would a
Discom keep to its import schedule?

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In our case, x generally is above / below schedule.

Each State has notified entitlements in Central
generating stations
Suppose it is a MW on a day
Then, (x a) = over-drawal, for which the State
has to pay UI charges into the regional pool
account. x is metered in 15 minute wise energy.
UI rate is determined for each 15-minute period
according to average frequency during the period.

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When frequency is low (because of a general

deficit), UI rate would be high and the State should
plan to curtail its over-drawal, by
-- Harnessing all generation within the State
-- Procuring additional power.
Load - shedding only when no additional power is
available at a price that the State utilities can pay,
and UI rate is not affordable or frequency has
come down to a level which endangers the grid.

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