June 1981, p.

3034
stronger. For stabilizers utilizing speed and power as inputs, these
characteristics imply that the stabilizer must be tuned for the case of
the strong ac system, and that the performance will decrease as the
Applying Power System Stabilizers
ac system becomes weaker. Utilizing ac bus frequency as an input, Part III: Practical Considerations
however, results in characteristics which diminish the effect of ac E. V. Larsen and D. A. Swann
transmission strength on the stabilizer performance, and thereby
allow tuning for the weak ac system condition. In addition, a General Electric Company, Schenectady, New York
frequency-input stabilizer is less sensitive to modes of oscillation
associated with individual units, and more sensitive to power Part III: Practical Considerations
swings between areas than either the speed or power-input The major practical considerations associated with applying
stabilizers.
Stabilizers utilizing power as an input can be designed utilizing lag power system stabilizers are discussed. Basic guidelines for tuning
networks rather than the lead networks associated with speed or stabilizer equipment in the field are described, based upon field
frequency input. This allows tuning for damping performance experience and the understanding gained from analyzing stabilizer
equivalent to a speed input stabilizer but with lower gain at high performance over a wide range of system conditions. In particular,
frequencies. In particular, the interaction with torsional modes of the relationship established in Part II between system performance
shaft vibration exhibits a declining gain versus frequency char¬ and the phase compensation characteristics have been utilized. The
acteristic as opposed to the increasing gain with frequency as¬ procedure consists of two basic steps:
sociated with speed or frequency input stabilizers. While this 1. Setting the stabilizer time constants to yield a phase com¬
characteristic is less sensitive to high frequency noise and torsional pensation characteristic specified for best performance, (a)
interaction, it is sensitive to lower frequency phenomena such as Maximize frequency at which the compensated phase lag passes
changes in mechanical power, and power-input stabilizers must through 90°. (3 to 3.5 Hz for speed or power input, 2 Hz for frequency
therefore be provided with compensation for these variations. If this input.) (b) Compensated phase lag at local mode frequency between
is done with washout stages, phase lead is introduced at low 0° and 45°, preferably near 20°.
frequencies which is detrimental to stability of interarea swings. 2. Setting the gain based upon a measurement of the gain which
causes an instability in the stabilizer loop. Several testing techniques
are discussed, although a particular stabilizer application may
require only a few of them. Utilization of digital computer-based
instrumentation currently being introduced holds the potential for
making stabilizer commissioning a relatively straightforward
process in the future, with minimal need for system studies for each
application.
The major practical considerations associated with equipment
design for successful stabilizer application are discussed, viz.,
June 1981, p. 3025 minimization of torsional interaction, the effects of power system
noise, and, for power input stabilizers, mechanical power variations.
Applying System
Power Stabilizers Torsional filtering schemes have been developed by the author's
Company which ensure a sufficient margin of safety for torsional
Objectives
Part II: Performance and interaction, while at the same time having minimum phase shift at
low frequencies so that good stabilizer performance may be
Tuning Concepts achieved. Although the power-input stabilizer requires less torsional
filtering than a stabilizer utilizing speed or frequency as an input,
E. V. Larsen and D. A. Swann such stabilizers require additional circuitry and input signals to
General Electric Company, Schenectady, New York compensate for the effects of mechanical power variations. It is
difficult to compensate perfectly for mechanical power variations,
and imperfect compensation introduces the potential for other
Part II: Performance Objectives and Tuning Concepts system interactions. These must be resolved to ensure successful
The objective of power system stabilizers is to extend stability application of a power-input stabilizer, and may require custom
limits on power transfer by enhancing damping of system os¬ designs tailored to specific installations.
cillations via generator excitation control. Lightly damped oscil¬ Noise on the power system can have an adverse effect on
lations can limit power transfer under weak system conditions, stabilizer performance. Some stabilizer types are more susceptible
associated with either remote generation transmitting power over to noise problems than others. Historically the frequency input
long distances or relatively weak interties connecting large areas. stabilizer using zero crossing detection to measure frequency has
Stabilizer performance must therefore be measured in terms of performed poorly in the presence of noise caused by large in¬
enhancing damping under these weak system conditions. This transducer termittent loads such as arc furnaces. However, a new frequency
measure must include not only the small-signal damping con¬ has been developed which promises to significantly
tributions to all modes of system oscillations but the impact upon reduce the inpact of this noise on the measured frequency signal.
system performance following large disturbances, when all modes Further, the filtering required to minimize torsional interaction also
of the system are excited simultaneously. Based upon this measure, significantly reduces the effect of power system noise.
it is shown that the most appropriate stabilizer tuning criteria is to
provide an adequate amount of damping to local modes of os¬ June 1981, p. 3047
cillation with a reasonably high contribution to interarea modes of
oscillation. Excess local mode damping is unnecessary and is often
obtained at the expense of system performance following a large
Surge Propagation in
distribution. Gas Insulated Substation
Stabilizers utilizing inputs of speed, power, and frequency have
been analyzed with respect to both tuning concepts and per¬ Susumu Matsumura
formance capabilities. Frequency has some inherent qualities which Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., Osaka, Japan
contribute to the desired performance criteria. However, any of
these signals can be used to prevent oscillatory instabilities from Tohei Nitta, Senior Member
limiting power transfer capability, at least to the point where other
system considerations become limiting. Thus, the choice of input Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Amagasaki, Japan
signal depends upon factors other than system performance alone.
The tuning concepts and performance criteria developed in this Surge propagation performance in a 550 kV gas insulated
paper, including the relationship to phase compensation char¬ substation is studied experimentally and by computer simulation
acteristics, provide the groundwork for a fairly straightforward field using the Electro-Magnetic Transients Program. Extra capacitance
tuning procedure which is described in Part III. added to the system bv the components of GIS such as potential

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