Fuzzy inference system controller for hydro turbine-generator system

With the entry of Tasmania into the national electricity market, equipment upgrades are required in many parts of the existing power system. This presents an opportunity to embrace new technology, in order to enhance the current efficiency and productivity of the system. One area is that of hydro-turbine speed governors, an integral part of maintaining the frequency of the output. At the present moment in time, the replacement of choice for many power companies is a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller. PID controllers are not without their limitations, however. For example, they lack the ability to adjust to change over time. An alternative control system is the Fuzzy Inference System (FIS). This paper demonstrates how a FIS controller can be used as a Hydro-Turbine governor, regulating the frequency of the generated current. A FIS controller was developed for an existing system to evaluate a Fuzzy Logic approach against a PID controller at all levels, not only in terms of performance but also in terms of the ease of development, tuning and operation.