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Generator Start-Up Analysis

ETAP Generator Start-Up Analysis is a special feature of the ETAP Transient Stability Program. This type of analysis
is particularly necessary for nuclear generation plants and for special conditions when the connection to a power
grid is lost and recovery of the power supply to some critical loads is mandatory. In these cases, a cold stand-by
generator is started up as an emergency condition and progresses through acceleration and load acceptance
stages, before finally reaching steady state condition.

Generator frequency and motor kW power results from the ETAP Generator Start-Up Program compared against
field measurement data for an actual system are shown below.

The generator start-up analysis is a very distinctive study for several reasons. First, at the time the generator
receives the emergency starting signal and is ready to start, it’s in a zero speed/zero voltage state. There is no
voltage on the generator terminal to feed the excitation system, thus an alternative source has to be used. This
alternative source usually stays online until the generator terminal voltage has built up to a high enough level to
support the excitation system. At this point, the alternative source is withdrawn and the excitation source is
switched to the generator terminal voltage. Second, the generator parameters are not constant during the starting
process; rather, they change significantly with the generator speed. This fact must be considered and the generator
parameters have to be re-calculated from the generator instantaneous speed. Furthermore, the saturation effect
also needs to be accounted for in adjusting the generator parameters. Third, once the generator has reached the
designated speed (or frequency) and/or terminal voltage, the emergency loads are switched on. A frequency
and/or voltage controlled action is required to close the system circuit breakers. These actions are usually initiated
by frequency relays and voltage relays. Fourth, when the emergency system is energized, motors in the emergency
system are started at that point.

Note: At this time, system frequency and voltage are still under their nominal values, which mean a special

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modeling technique must be developed to handle the motor starting at under frequency and under voltage
conditions. Finally, all system impedances must be adjusted according to system instantaneous frequency.

The generator start-up analysis can simulate the entire process of a synchronous generator during start-up, from
the cold stand-by mode to the full operation mode. The synchronous generator and all of its associated controls,
including turbine/engine and governor system, excitation/AVR system, and other associated controls, are modeled
in a very detailed and extensive way, including both frequency dependency and saturation correction. The Event
and Action editors in the Transient Stability Study Case Editor, along with Frequency and Voltage Relays, allow you
to start the generator and operate circuit breakers exactly the same as in a real system. Induction motors are
dynamically modeled with frequency dependent models to allow acceleration at under frequency and under
voltage conditions. Other system components are also correctly and accurately modeled.

Key features of the ETAP Generator Start-Up Analysis include:

l Accurate Synchronous Generator Model with Completely Frequency Dependent Parameters

l Synchronous Generator Parameter Correction Due to Saturation Effect
l Initial Field Flashing Circuit & Switching Time
l Sophisticated Turbine Model to Include Special Dynamics During the Generator Start-Up
l Detailed & User-Programmable Speed Governor System Control
l System Switching Actions Controlled by Relay Actions
l Variety of Relay Settings (Volt, Hz, V/Hz, dHz/dt)
l Frequency Dependent Network Impedance Model
l Frequency Dependent Induction Machine Model
l Induction Motor Starting at Under Voltage & Under Frequency Conditions
l Full Text Report of Study Results for Viewing and Printing
l One-Line Display of Study Results with Time Slider to Recapture the System Dynamic Responses
l Graphic Plots of Study Results for Viewing & Printing

Generator Start-Up Analysis

Study Case Editor
Calculation Methods
Output Reports

Study Case Editor

The Generator Start-Up Analysis is part of the ETAP Transient Stability Program. To run a generator start-up
analysis, you need to be in Transient Stability Mode. The functions of all buttons on the Transient Stability toolbar
and the Study Case toolbar remain the same just as if you were performing a Transient Stability Study. Here is a list
of the additional settings that are required to run a generator start-up analysis. These settings are made within the
Transient Stability Study Case Editor.

Time Step
Because of the complexity involved in a generator start-up analysis, many differential equations need to be solved.
To ensure the accuracy of the solution, it is recommended that you use a smaller value for simulation time step, for
example, 0.0003 second. Consequently, a relatively large value can be used for the plot time step, say 100.

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Event & Action

When performing a generator start-up analysis, it is very import to remember that starting the generator should be
the first action to take place. The generator start action is specified in the Transient Stability Study Case Editor, as
shown below. You need to create a time event and add one action with the Device Type specified as Generator and
the Action type as Start.

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Dynamic Model
The generator start-up analysis requires that all system components be modeled with frequency dependency. You
can ensure this by putting a check in the Frequency Dependent Models for Network, Motors, & Generators box in
the Dyn Model page of the Transient Stability Study Case Editor.

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Generator Start-Up Analysis

Study Case Editor
Calculation Methods
Output Reports

Calculation Methods
The major difference between the regular Transient Stability Study and a generator start-up analysis is that in the
latter case, the system frequency undergoes a drastic change from 0 Hz to an overshoot (normally 20 to 30 percent
of the nominal frequency,) and finally settles down at the nominal value. This situation requires all power system
components, especially rotating machines, be modeled correctly to account for the frequency changes. The
impedance of other components should also be able to be adjusted to the true instantaneous system frequency.
The ETAP Generator Start-Up Analysis can make all these adjustments spontaneously if the correct models are
selected. This section describes what you need to do to select the right models for different components and how
those components are being modeled.

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Starting Generator
To perform a generator start-up analysis, the following synchronous generator model needs to be selected. This
model is adapted from the latest IEEE Standard 1110 “IEEE Guide for Synchronous Generator Modeling Practices in
Stability Analyses.” It has one damping winding on each of the direct and quadratic axis.

The equivalent circuit for this model is illustrated below.

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Direct-Axis Equivalent Circuit

Quadrature-Axis Equivalent Circuit

Turbine – Governor Models

Any type of turbine-governor model that has the capability to simulate turbine starting dynamics can be used in the
generator start-up study. For example, a hydro turbine and speed governor model is shown in the example below.
It includes water tunnel and penstock dynamics and a very complex gate opening control scheme.

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Exciter/AVR Models
The exciter/AVR system requires special controls in the Generator Start-Up Study. For example, exciter/AVR model
ST1D is shown below and can be used for the Generator Start-Up Analysis. This model includes a special field
flashing circuit to supply the initial DC excitation voltage to the generator field winding. A voltage per Hz relay is
also included to switch the excitation source from the initial DC source to the normal source once the generator has
built up enough voltage.

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Induction Machine Model

Induction machines, which are accelerated during the generator start-up process, should be modeled by their
frequency dependent circuit models. ETAP automatically uses the frequency dependent circuit models that are
selected from the Motor CKT Model Library Quick Pick Editor inside the Induction Machine Editor. All four types of
induction machine circuit models, namely Single1, Single2, DBL1, and DBL2, can be used as the frequency
dependent models for a Generator Start-Up Analysis.

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Synchronous Motor Models

Accelerating synchronous motors in the system are modeled with their LR models just like induction machines with
frequency dependent circuit models, since they behave like induction motors during start-up.

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Other Components
Other system components such as transforms, lines, and cables are modeled identically to Transient Stability
Studies except that the program will adjust their impedance according to the system instantaneous frequency.

Generator Start-Up Analysis

Study Case Editor
Calculation Methods
Output Reports

Output Reports
Three types of outputs are available for a Generator Start-Up Analysis. They include Crystal Reports™, one-line
display, and plots. Please refer to the Transient Stability chapter for more information on how to access and
manage the Output Reports.

Crystal Report
The Crystal Report for the generator start-up analysis is the same format as the Transient Stability Analysis.

One-Line Display
The one-line display for the generator start-up analysis is the same format as the Transient Stability Analysis.

Plots
The plots for the generator start-up analysis are the same format as the Transient Stability Analysis.

Representative sample plots from a Generator Start-Up Analysis are shown here.

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Generator Start-Up Analysis

Study Case Editor
Calculation Methods
Output Reports

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