Governing features and performance of the first 600-MW drogenerating unit at grand coulee

The Grand Coulee Power Complex contributes a new strong influence on system dynamics and control. Addition of the Third Powerplant, with the largest hydrogenerating units in the world, is an important feature. Its function is combined with those of the initial complement of generating units, pumping units, and pump/generating units. In this paper are described the design objectives and recent verification by field tests of the governor characteristics sought to benefit system dynamics, to coordinate all generation under local computer control in response to a single system control signal, and to effectively utilize the inherent capabilities of hydropower for daily peaking as well as for system control. The primary control loops for the system control hierarchy, those of the prime mover governors, are given special features for rapid response to their primary signals while maintaining single-time-constant response to local computer control.