Development of a speed stabilizer for rapid synchronization of mini-hydro generator

The objective of this study is to develop a damping method to stabilize the speed of the generator rotor during synchronization so as to minimize synchronization time and also to develop a prototype circuitry for a selected Mini-Hydro plant to obtain actual results. The present system of the identified Mini-Hydro generator was modeled reasonably to identify the present response of the system for a step input. This was then simulated in Matlab and based on that a new PI controller with a power electronic switching circuit was developed to impart a resistive loading to generator in order to control the oscillation of the rotor during synchronization. Two switching strategies are discussed and they were tested at site for actual results. One of the switching strategies showed positive results where the controller's performance is mostly in line with the simulated result