A self-tuning PID voltage regulator for synchronous generators

A computer study of self-tuning PID digital voltage regulator for a synchronous generator is presented. The regulator is simple and can handle regular load changes as well as severe disturbances in the power system. The algorithm for the proposed regulator combines a least-squares estimator with a digital PID control algorithm. The parameters of the PID control algorithm are dynamically changed according to the estimated model. A second control strategy comprising a dynamic variation of the weighting coefficients of the main and stabilizing feedback signals is also described. The influence of the PID regulator with one of the two control strategies applied at a time, and with the two of them simultaneously applied are examined for various disturbances. Compared to a conventional continuous acting voltage regulator, the proposed regulator improves the transient performance of the synchronous machine.