SYSTEM OPERATIONS &

PLANNING

A METHOD FOR TUNING MODELS IN

DIgSILENT POWERFACTORY, WITH
REFERENCE TO A TGOV5 GOVERNOR
TUNING EXAMPLE

Rev. 0

REFERENCE NO. : SOPRP0220

LJvR/Signature 18.05.10 / Publish 19.05.10

TITLE REFERENCE REV
A METHOD FOR TUNING MODELS IN DIgSILENT SOPRP0220 0
POWERFACTORY, WITH REFERENCE TO A TGOV5 PAGE 2 OF 8
GOVERNOR TUNING EXAMPLE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents Page no.

1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 3
2. Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 3
3. Results and Interpretation..................................................................................................... 7
4. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 8

List of Tables and Figures

Figure 1: Plant model frame used for Governor tuning...........................................................................3
Figure 2: Measurement block properties...................................................................................................4
Figure 3: Test grid used for TGOV5 tuning...............................................................................................5
Figure 4: Slot configuration for the TGOV5 tuning plant model .............................................................6

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 TITLE REFERENCE REV
A METHOD FOR TUNING MODELS IN DIgSILENT SOPRP0220 0
POWERFACTORY, WITH REFERENCE TO A TGOV5 PAGE 3 OF 8
GOVERNOR TUNING EXAMPLE

1. Introduction

Models are important for dynamic studies as they are mathematical representations of
real systems in the power grid. This report explains a method for tuning dynamic models
within DIgSILENT. A TGOV5 governor model is tuned using frequency event data as an
example of this method. The event data is extracted from a PMU recording of frequency
from the Under Frequency Load Shedding (UFLS) event that occurred on 27 December
2009 at 17:06 in the Eskom network.

2. Methodology

The best way to tune any model is to excite it with a measured input and compare the
simulated output with the actual output. In the case of governors, the input signals are
frequency (or speed), and electrical power; the output signal is turbine power.

qg
pg
pgt
ir;ii
curgn
curex
u

0
1
2

3 0 spare1
4
5

6
7 vco slot 1 spare2 0
vuel 8ElmVco* 1
voel 9 2
ve
10 0 3

ur;ui 11
ut 12 2 4
upss
13 5

14 6
0 15 xmdm 1
sym Slot 7 psie
ElmSym*,IntRe..
1 8
2 9

0 10
3 1 0
pt
dfedt 4 fe 2 2 11
pss slot w1
5 3 1 pturb 12
ElmPss*
6 psco 4 pcuSlot 2 13
7 0 y1 pturb 5ElmPcu* 14
8
Measurements 6 3 spare1
ElmFile
9 1 7
spare1 10 spare1 8 4 spare2
spare2 11 spare2 9

fe
Wf
cosn

phiui

xmt
xme

Figure 1: Plant model frame used for Governor tuning

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When downloaded from the System Operations & Planning database, this document is uncontrolled and the
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TITLE REFERENCE REV
A METHOD FOR TUNING MODELS IN DIgSILENT SOPRP0220 0
POWERFACTORY, WITH REFERENCE TO A TGOV5 PAGE 4 OF 8
GOVERNOR TUNING EXAMPLE

By editing the plant model frame in DIgSILENT, the governor model can be excited by
an external signal. Figure 1 shows the plant model frame used for governor tuning. It
was adapted from the IEEE Frame and is different only because of the Measurements
input block which is used to provide the event frequency. The measured frequency is
input into the governor block (PCU) instead of speed (w) which is normally fed back from
the generator block (SYM). This is acceptable provided that the frequency is in per unit.
The measurement block uses the ElmFile type which allows data to be imported from an
external file (.txt file type). Figure 2 shows the measurement block properties which
illustrate its connection to the ElmFile type.

Figure 2: Measurement block properties

A simple network must be modeled for these tests because the governor uses electrical
power as an input. The electrical power is fed back from the generator model block and
is dependant on the network. The network model that was used is shown in Figure 3. An
infinite bus is used to represent the rest of the Eskom network, this is necessary to
compensate for any deficit in power between the generated power and load demand.

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A METHOD FOR TUNING MODELS IN DIgSILENT SOPRP0220 0
POWERFACTORY, WITH REFERENCE TO A TGOV5 PAGE 5 OF 8
GOVERNOR TUNING EXAMPLE

External Grid

22.00 MW
17.74 ..
0.78

Station1/HV 400.00
1.00
0.00
-498.00 520.00
17.74 0.00
2-Winding.. 71.19

498.00
17.74
71.19
General Load

Station2/LV 22.00
1.00
4.08
498.00
17.74
61.52

G
~
Kendal Gen

Figure 3: Test grid used for TGOV5 tuning

The plant model frame slots are populated with the relevant controller blocks. The slot
configuration is shown in Figure 4.

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A METHOD FOR TUNING MODELS IN DIgSILENT SOPRP0220 0
POWERFACTORY, WITH REFERENCE TO A TGOV5 PAGE 6 OF 8
GOVERNOR TUNING EXAMPLE

Figure 4: Slot configuration for the TGOV5 tuning plant model

It is important to note that the Measurements block points to a file object which is created
in the Data Manager. To create a file object the following steps must be followed:

 Open the Data Manager and select either the active system stage or grid.

 Select the New Object button:

 Configure the Element Selection window as shown below:

 Browse for the file containing the measurement data and change the file
name.

 The file must be saved as a .txt and should be in the format shown below:

The first column always contains the time data. This does not have to be of
equal intervals because DIgSILENT uses interpolation to correct for missing

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POWERFACTORY, WITH REFERENCE TO A TGOV5 PAGE 7 OF 8
GOVERNOR TUNING EXAMPLE

data. The remaining columns contain all the other data and the first row
shows the number of columns excluding the time column.

 The data object will now appear under the system stage or grid folder and
this can be selected as a slot. In order to plot the file’s data, a variable set
must be created by right-clicking on it in the Data Manager.

Once this is completed, simulations can be run. The resultant power can then be
compared to the measured power by plotting each on the same graph. To view the
measured power signal, an ElmFile object must be created in the same way as
mentioned above.

3. Results and Interpretation

Figure 5 shows the results of the governing tuning example in the form of several plots.
The top plot shows the input frequency which was recorded from the power system
using PMUs. This is the signal that is input in to the governor model. The bottom plot
shows four different signals on the same axes. All of these signals represent the
electrical power output from the Kendal machines, however, the smoother plots show
simulated data whereas the noisy plots show measured data. The red and blue plots
represent the measured power out of two separate Kendal machines and the brown and
purple lines represent the simulated response using two different sets of parameters.
From observing these graphs whilst changing the model parameters, one can determine
the optimal values required for a certain response. For example, the difference between
the purple and brown lines is evident, this provides a better understanding of the effects
that the changed parameter has on the overall response.

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A METHOD FOR TUNING MODELS IN DIgSILENT SOPRP0220 0
POWERFACTORY, WITH REFERENCE TO A TGOV5 PAGE 8 OF 8
GOVERNOR TUNING EXAMPLE

DIgSILENT
1.010

1.005

1.000

0.995

0.990

0.985

0.980
-0.1000 79.920 159.94 239.96 319.98 [s] 400.00
Freq: Measurement value 2

575.00

550.00

525.00

500.00

475.00

450.00
-0.1000 79.920 159.94 239.96 319.98 [s] 400.00
Kendal Gen: Positive-Sequence, Active Power in MW
KendalMW: Measurement value 2
KendalMW: Measurement value 1
Kendal Gen: 2010-02-25 Parameters
Kendal Gen: 2010-03-12 Parameters

Figure 5: Measured response versus simulated response for the TGOV5 model at Kendal

4. Conclusion

A method for tuning dynamic models in DIgSILENT was presented. This method reduces
errors because tuning is done on the same model that is used during the dynamic
studies. The method is explained in detail with use of a TGOV5 governor tuning
example. The benefits of this approach are evident from the results of the tuning
example which are presented.

PUBLIC
When downloaded from the System Operations & Planning database, this document is uncontrolled and the
responsibility rests with the user to ensure it is in line with the authorized version on the database.