Application of a Fuzzy Logic Controller for Hydropower Generator Speed Regulation

Abstract

The hydroelectric plants flow rate always varies with time due to the speed rotation of turbines which affect the amplitude and frequency of electrical energy generated. Hydro plants are being utilized for the purpose of peaking as well as base load, pumped storage and spinning reserve power operation etc. Especially in a system consisting of large industries, where frequency and voltage fluctuations are required to be kept minimum, their stability determines the quality of power. For efficient use of plant, complex control techniques are employed in the station automation and these involve the turbine governor in control features for which a flexible governor design is essential. MATLAB 2007 Software was used to carry out simulations analysis to develop fuzzy logic controller for hydropower Generator speed regulation with aims of stabilizing output power supply in order to increase the water flows rate through the hydropower penstock. The result of the research shows the hydropower generator speed model which can be used to stabilized power output as a result of increase in turbine speed rotation when fuzzy logic controller is applied. The result showed that hydropower Generation speed regulation with and without fuzzy logic controller were 319.8m/s and 65m/s respectively. The speed increased by 254.8m/s. the result shows that application of fuzzy logic controller gives better result and increase the rotational speed of hydropower.