Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

1 Voltage and Frequency characteristics of a synchronous

generator

1.1 Voltage vs Reactive Power (V-Q) characteristics

Vnl
Vfl

Qfl Q
Figure 1: Generator terminal voltage variation with reactive power.

The terminal voltage (V ) of a synchronous generator operating alone is dependent on the

reactive power (Q) being supplied to the load. The terminal voltage decreases with the increase
of reactive load supplied. The change of terminal voltage with reactive load can be plotted as
shown Fig. 1. In this characteristic, Vnl is the no-load voltage of the synchronous generator,
Vf l is the terminal voltage at rated reactive power of Qf l .
Mathematically, the the changes in voltage with reactive power are described using the voltage
droop coefficient, Sv .
The reactive power output of the generator is given by

Q = Sv (Vnl − Vt ) (1)

where Vt is the terminal voltage of the generator and

∆Q Qf l
Sv = = (2)
∆V Vnl − Vf l

1
EE6303 Electrical Machines II Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

Increasing the inductive load on the generator reduces the terminal voltage. The terminal
voltage can be increased by adding a capacitance. Reductions of the terminal voltage can be
compensated by increasing the no load voltage Vnl .

1.2 Frequency vs Active Power (f-P) characteristics

A synchronous generator when supplying isolated load acts as a voltage source whose frequency
is determined by its prime-mover speed.
ns P
f= Hz (3)
120

where ns is the speed of rotor in rpm (called synchronous speed) and P is the number of poles.
At no-load, the mechanical system is rotating at the no-load speed, nnl and results in the
generation of voltages at no load frequency.
When the generator is loaded, power is drawn from the mechanical system and the generator
applies a torque which opposes the direction of motion of the mechanical system. As a result,
the generator tends to slow down the mechanical system.
In a synchronous generator, changing mechanical speed is undesirable, as it results in a change
in the frequency of the induced voltages. For this reason, a “governor” is applied to the
mechanical system to make the change in speed predictable with power changes.

n f
nnl fnl
nfl ffl

Pfl P Pfl P
Figure 2: Generator speed and frequency variations with active power.

The mechanical governor sets the no-load speed and controls the reduction in speed so that the
speed-power relationship is linear. This relationship is shown in Fig. 2. If the frequency of the
generated voltages is too low, the frequency can be increased by increasing the no-load speed of
the mechanical governor. It is important to stress that this is not a function of the generator,
but of how the mechanical system is controlled.
Mathematically, the changes in frequency with load are described using two quantities, the
Speed Droop SD and the slope of the power-frequency plot, Sp .

2
EE6303 Electrical Machines II Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

Speed Droop, SD is defined as

nnl − nf l
SD = × 100
nf l
fnl − ff l
= × 100
ff l

Typical values for speed droop are in the range 2% - 4%.

The power from the generator can be found using

P = Sp (fnl − fsys )

where
∆P Pf l
Sp = =
∆f fnl − ff l
In the above equations, subscripts nl, f l refer to no-load and full-load operation respectively
and sys refers to the operating system frequency.

2 Infinite Bus

Figure 3: f-P and V-Q plots for an infinite bus.

The infinite bus is a useful concept that summarizes how most people already view the power
grid. It can be applied when the power grid is sufficiently large that the action of any one user
or generator will not affect the operation of the power grid.
In an infinite bus:

1. System frequency is constant, independent of power flow.

2. System voltage is constant, independent of reactive power consumed or supplied.

3
EE6303 Electrical Machines II Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

3 Generator Operating Alone

G load

Figure 4: Standalone operation of a synchronous generator.

Stand alone operation of generator may typically be used in two cases:

1. Emergency back-up when the power grid fails.

2. Remote, off-grid generation.

When a generator is operating alone and supplying the load:

• The generator is responsible for supplying all active and reactive power required by the
load.
PG = Pload
QG = Qload

• The governor of the generator controls the operating frequency of the system.

• The field current controls the terminal voltage of the power system.

fnl,2
fnl,1
f1
f2

-PG [kW] PG1 PG2 PG [kW]

Figure 5: f-P characteristic of a generator operating alone.

4
EE6303 Electrical Machines II Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

Vnl,2
Vnl,1
V1
V2

-QG [kVAr] QG1 QG2 QG [kVAr]

Figure 6: V-Q characteristic of a generator operating alone.

When the active power supplied by the generator is increased from PG1 to PG2 , the generator
frequency drops from f1 to f2 as shown in Fig. 5. In order to maintain the generator frequency
at f1 , the governor increases the no-load frequency of the generator so that the new operating
frequency of the generator is f1 . As a result, the the whole f-P characteristic will move upward
as shown in Fig. 5.
When the reactive power supplied by the generator is increased from QG1 to QG2 , the generator
voltage drops from V1 to V2 as shown in Fig. 6. In order to maintain the generator voltage at
V1 , the no-load voltage of the generator is increased by increasing the field current. As a result,
the the whole V-Q characteristic will move upward as shown in Fig. 6.

Example:

A generator with no-load frequency of 61.0 Hz and a slope of 1 MW/Hz is connected to Load
1 consuming 1 MW of real power at 0.8 PF lagging. Load 2 (that to be connected to the
generator) consumes a real power of 0.8 MW at 0.707 PF lagging.

1. Find the operating frequency of the system before the switch is closed. (ans. 60 Hz)

2. Find the operating frequency of the system after the switch is closed. (ans. 59.2 Hz)

3. What action could an operator take to restore the system frequency to 60 Hz after both
loads are connected to the generator? (ans. increase the governor no-load set point by
0.8 Hz)

5
EE6303 Electrical Machines II Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

4 Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

Generators may be operated in parallel on a small scale, e.g. two or three generators operating
in parallel to provide power to a remote community, or large scale.
Benefits of parallel operation include

• Redundancy: failure of one unit does not affect the integrity of the power supply, gener-
ators may be taken out of service for preventative maintenance.
• Scaling: many units can combine to provide a power demand, rather than requiring fewer
very large generators.
• Resource management: generators can be located and operated to best meet the gener-
ating conditions, instead of having to be located and operated to meet the requirements
of a local load. An example of this may be a nuclear power plant, which may take many
weeks to bring up to full operating conditions. Using a nuclear generating station at full
power to meet a “base load” with smaller more rapid response generators is one way to
supply fluctuating load requirements.
• Efficiency: Generators operating at full load are more efficient than those operating at
low loads. It is more efficient to meet a changing load by adding or removing smaller
generators than having a single large generator operating inefficiently.

4.1 Conditions required for paralleling generators

In order to parallel synchronous generators, following conditions should be satisfied.

1. The rms line-line voltages must be equal.

2. The phases must be sequenced in the same order (i.e. Phase a - Phase a’; Phase b - Phase
b’; Phase c - Phase c’)

6
EE6303 Electrical Machines II Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

Figure 7: Parallel generator connection.

3. The phase angles of two “a” phases must be equal.

4. The no-load frequency of the oncoming generator must be slightly higher than the existing
system frequency.

The importance of closing the switch when the generator is at a slightly higher frequency than
the system can be seen when you consider the speed droop and f-P equations. The power
supplied from a generator to bus after the switch is closed in Fig. 7 can be found using
P = Sp (fnl − fsys )
If fnl < fsys then the power supplied from the generator will be negative. This implies the
generator has become a motor, and both the mechanical system and electrical system will try
to accelerate the rotor up to synchronous speed. This can have significant negative effects on
the prime mover. Many generators have circuitry to automatically disconnect the generator
from the line when they start consuming energy.
Similarly, if fnl ≫ fsys there will be a sudden step change in the power supplied and the power
and current flowing in the bus, which can also cause negative impacts to the power system and
the prime mover.

4.2 Paralleling Procedure

1. With the generator running, adjust the field current of the oncoming generator such that
the measured line-line voltages of the system and the generator are equal.
2. Check the phase sequencing. This can be done in two ways:
• Connecting small motors to each three-phase system and observing the direction of
rotation. If the phases are sequenced correctly, the two motors will rotate in the
same direction. If the sequencing is different, the motors will rotate in opposite
directions.

7
EE6303 Electrical Machines II Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

• Connect bulbs across the switch. If the phases are sequenced correctly, all three
bulbs get bright and dark together. If the phases are not correctly sequenced, the
lights will flash one after the other.

3. Check the phase angles. If the frequency of the oncoming generator is slightly higher
than the system frequency, the phase angle between the system and generator voltages
will slowly change at a frequency equal to the difference between system and generator
frequencies. If the voltages and sequencing are correct, the oncoming generator can be
connected to the system when the phase difference is zero. This can be test using two
approaches:

• Using a synchrometer.
A synchrometer measures the phase angle between 2 voltages. If the meter nee-
dle rotates clockwise, the generator frequency is greater than the system. Counter
clockwise rotation indicates that the oncoming generator frequency is lower than the
system. When the needle is vertical, the phase angle is zero. In the ideal case, the
needle should be rotating slowly in the clockwise direction and the switch should be
closed when the needle is vertical.
• Using bulbs connected across the switch.
This lower cost approach does not provide information about the relative frequency
between the oncoming generator and the system. If there is a phase difference
between the voltages, the lights will be bright. When the lights go out, there is no
voltage across the switch and the switch can be closed.

4.3 Operating a generator connected to an infinite bus

If a generator is operated off an infinite bus:

1. Terminal voltage and frequency (and hence speed) are constant.

2. The no-load settings of the mechanical system governor can be adjusted to supply more
or less power.

4.3.1 Parallel operation with the utility grid

The utility grid can be considered as an infinite bus.

8
EE6303 Electrical Machines II Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

Pinf bus [kW] PB1 PB2 PB2 PG1 PG2 PG3 PG [kW]

Pload = constant = PB + PG
Figure 8: f-P characteristic of a generator operating in parallel with the utility grid.

Vt

Qinf bus [
Ar] QB1 QB2 QB2 QG1 QG2 QG3 QG [
Ar]

Qload = constant = QB + QG
Figure 9: V-Q characteristic of a generator operating in parallel with the utility grid.

According to the f-P characteristic of the generator, when the active power supplied by the
generator is increased, the generator frequency drops. However, as the generator is connected
to the infinite bus, the generator frequency cannot change. In order to maintain the generator
frequency at the grid frequency, the governor increases the no-load frequency of the generator
so that the new operating frequency of the generator is equal to the frequency of the infinite
bus. As a result, the the whole f-P characteristic will move upward as shown in Fig. 8.

9
EE6303 Electrical Machines II Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

According to the V-Q characteristic of the generator, when the reactive power supplied by the
generator is increased, the generator voltage drops. However, as the generator is connected
to the infinite bus, the generator terminal voltage cannot change. In order to maintain the
generator terminal voltage at the grid voltage, the no-load voltage of the generator is increased
by increasing the field current. As a result, the the whole V-Q characteristic will move upward
as shown in Fig. 9.
Other impacts on operation can be best understood by considering the phasor diagram shown
in Fig. 10. To simplify analysis and aid understanding, armature resistance (Ra ) is neglected
here.

Figure 10: Phasor diagram.

3Vφ EA
P = 3Vφ IA cos θ = sin δ
Xs
3Vφ EA 3Vφ2
Q = 3Vφ IA sin θ = cos δ −
Xs Xs

Since voltage Vφ and |EA | are constant (as excitation is not changed) and assuming synchronous
reactance (Xs ) is also constant, changing the active power (with the mechanical system) will
change the power angle δ as illustrated in Fig. 11a.
Adjusting the field current of the machine, |EA | can be controlled and by controlling |EA |,
reactive power of the generator can be controlled as illustrated in Fig. 11b. In this case, only
the reactive power supplied by the generator is increased, and active power supplied remain
unchanged. Therefore, IA cos θ and EA sin δ do not change.

10
EE6303 Electrical Machines II Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

(a) The effect of increasing the governor’s set points.

(b) The effect of increasing the generator’s field current.

Figure 11: Effects on the phasor diagram.

4.4 Parallel operation of generators of similar size

Figure 12: Two generators connected in parallel.

11
EE6303 Electrical Machines II Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

4.4.1 f-P relationship

When two generators of similar size are operated in parallel supplying a remote load, it is
necessary to consider how the generators act together, to maintain the system frequency at the
desired level.

fnl,G1
fnl,G2
fsys

Pload

+P PG2 PG1 +P
G2 G1
Figure 13: f-P characteristic of two generators connected in parallel.

Consider the case where 2 generators are connected to supply all the power requirements for
a load. In this case the frequency-power plots for both generators are drawn on the same
diagram, as shown in Fig. 13. Positive power for G1 is shown on the positive x-axis, and
positive power for G2 is shown on the negative x-axis. This type of f-P diagram is sometimes
called a house diagram. The total power supplied to a load is the sum of the individual generator
contributions:
Pload = PG1 + PG2
where
PG1 = Sp1(fnl,G1 − fsys )
PG2 = Sp2(fnl,G2 − fsys )

From the equation above it is clear that the system frequency is a function of both generator’s
mechanical governor characteristic (Sp ) and no-load frequencies. In addition, the power drawn
from one generator is dependent on how the other generator is operated.

12
EE6303 Electrical Machines II Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

4.4.2 Effect of changing the load

Changes of the power drawn by the load can affect the system frequency or the generator
operation. If the load is increased/decreased without changing the no-load speeds, the system
frequency will fall/rise accordingly as shown in Fig. 14.

fnl,G1
fnl,G2
fsys,1

fsys,2
Pload,1

Pload,2

+P P'G2 PG2 PG1 P'G1 +P

G2 G1
Figure 14: When the load is increased from Pload,1 to Pload,2 the system frequency drops to fsys,2
from fsys,1 .

4.4.3 Effect of changing both governors’ set points

In order to compensate for variation in frequency, the generator set points can be adjusted.
If both set-points are adjusted together, the balance of power between generators remains
constant as illustrated in Fig. 15.

13
EE6303 Electrical Machines II Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

fsys,1

fsys,2

Pload,2

+P P'G2 P'G1 +P
G2 G1
Figure 15: By increasing the no-load frequency set points of both generators the system frequency
is increased back to fsys,1 .

4.4.4 Effect of changing one governor’s set point

If only one generators no-load speed is changed, the system frequency and the balance of power
between the generators will change as illustrated in Fig. 16.
According to the figure, increase in no-load frequency of G1 increases the load supplied by G1.
As a result, the load supplied by G1 reduces, because the total load (Pload,2 ) remain unchanged.

14
EE6303 Electrical Machines II Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

fsys,1

fsys,2

Pload,2
Pload,2

+P P'G2 P''G2 P'G1 P''G1 +P

G2 G1
Figure 16: By increasing the no-load frequency set point of G1, the system frequency is increased
back to fsys,1 .

4.4.5 V-Q relationship

The house diagram for voltage variation with reactive power supply is constructed in a similar
manner to the frequency-power diagram as shown in Fig. 17.
The total reactive power supplied to a load is the sum of the individual generator contributions:
Qload = QG1 + QG2
where
QG1 = Sv1 (Vnl,G1 − V1 )
QG2 = Sv2 (Vnl,G2 − V1 )
where V1 is the system voltage.
From the equations above it is clear that the system voltage is a function of both generator’s
voltage droop characteristic (Sv ) and no-load voltage. In addition, the reactive power drawn
from one generator is dependent on how the other generator is operated.
The impacts of reactive load changes on the system voltage and the reactive power outputs of
two generators can be explained in a similar manner to the variation of the system frequency
against active power of the load changes.
Fig. 18 illustrates the effect of increasing the no-load voltage of G1 by increasing the field
current. According to the figure, increase in no-load voltage of G1 increases the reactive load

15
EE6303 Electrical Machines II Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

supplied by G1. As a result, the reactive load supplied by G2 reduces, because the total reactive
load remain unchanged.

n
n

1

Qload

+Q QG2 QG1 +Q
G2 G1
Figure 17: V-Q diagram for two generators connected in parallel.

2

1

load

load

+Q G2 G2 G1 G1 +Q
G2 G1
Figure 18: Effect of increasing field current of G1.

16
EE6303 Electrical Machines II Parallel Operation of Synchronous Generators

Example

Two generators are set to supply the same load. G1 has a no-load frequency of 61.5 Hz and a
slope of 1 MW/Hz. G2 has a no-load frequency of 61.0 Hz and a slope of 1 MW/Hz. The two
generators are supplying a real load of 2.5 MW at 0.8 PF lagging. Find the followings.

1. Find the system frequency.(Ans. 60 Hz)

2. Find the Power generated by G1 and G2. (Ans. 1.5 MW and 1 MW)

3. Find the system frequency and the generator powers when An additional load of 1 MW
is added. (Ans. 59.5 Hz, 2 MW, and 1.5 MW)

4. Repeat 3) if the no-load frequency of G2 is increased by 0.5 Hz. (Ans. 59.75 Hz, 1.75
MW and 1.75 MW.)

17