Turbine Generator Output Control
Turbine Generator Output Control
(OP)
How is the output power of a turbine generator controlled?
Please explain the entire system including reference to
- Control of the gas generator and power turbine
- The control of the fuel\heat rate
- How the electrical output of the generator is controlled
My understanding is pretty basic so please make any explanations explicit.
Please explain the entire system including reference to
- Control of the gas generator and power turbine
- The control of the fuel\heat rate
- How the electrical output of the generator is controlled
My understanding is pretty basic so please make any explanations explicit.






RE: Turbine Generator Output Control
RE: Turbine Generator Output Control
Check www.basler.com and www.woodward.com for technical articles on basics of generator control.
RE: Turbine Generator Output Control
The generators excitation controls will vary the field current so that the output voltage is maintained at the desired level.
Heat rate is the ratio of power produced to fuel burnt (efficiency) and is more a function of design than control.
RE: Turbine Generator Output Control
Similarly to regulate the supply frequency, the power turbine speed must also be kept constant? Presumably, unless the power turbine is connected to the gas generator by a common shaft, then the speed control of the power turbine relies on closely matching the characteristics of the power turbine to that of the gas generator?
The electrical output is controlled by regulating the exciter?
Thanks in advance.
RE: Turbine Generator Output Control
suppose generator is connected to a grid which is way larger than the capacity of the generator, i.e. your generator is not a significant factor compared to overall grid.
say your generator is producing the active preset power P(MW) at the grid frequeny. governor is controlling the turbine to produce power P at a speed that corresponds to grid frequency. If somehow the grid frequency increases, your frequency will increase too (because you are synchornized with the grid), proportionally you will start producing more power. Governor settings will have to be changed to bring the increased power output to preset P value. Similar thing for the frequency decrease.
governor is relatively easier to understand, because it is dealing with real power. However, there is an exciter system too, pretty much doing the same thing, by under or over exciting the windings, controlling the reactive power to the system, thus the voltage.
In summary you have the power P-made of components V and I. You control P by governor, and V by exciter. Since P is proportional to V and I, by controlling P and V, you control everything.
Hope this helps
RE: Turbine Generator Output Control
in the above example, if the grid freq. increases, for the same power input to the turbine, electrical power output would decrease, not increase. similarly, for decreased grid frequency, the electrical power output would increase.
sorry for the confusion
RE: Turbine Generator Output Control
as you see, this is a very interesting and involved question you have asked