Synchronous Starting of Seneca Pumped Storage Plant

The synchronous starting method will be used at the Seneca Pumped Storage Plant when the two 220-MVA machines are started as motors. A 29-MVA generator will supply the driving power. Because the relative difference in machine size is greater than has been encountered in any existing plant, an extensive study was conducted to determine that reliable starting performance can be attained. Model tests and digital simulation have been used to investigate dynamic starting performance for a variety of conditions. A novel formulation of equations describing dynamic relationships of the two-machine system lends itself to efficient digital computation. Controls have been designed to permit reliable automatic remote control.