A state-space pressure and speed sensing governor for hydrogenerators

The use of the pressure signal for speed control of hydrogenerators is investigated. This is done by first analyzing and modeling the plant, assuming an isolated, resistive load. A set of governor gains that give an optimal response to a change in load level using speed feedback is then found. With this response as a benchmark, various methods are analyzed and implemented, utilizing the pressure signal, to improve the response of the system. A state-space observer, designed to attenuate noise on the pressure signal, is discussed. Results show that an observer-based controller using all states as input, as compared to a PID controller, improves the transient response of hydrogenerators, is effective at filtering out the noise on the pressure signal and is more robust to both steady-state pressure and plant parameter variations