A self-tuning automatic voltage regulator designed for an industrial environment

Examination of the performance of fixed parameter controllers has resulted in the development of self-tuning strategies for excitation control of turbogenerator systems. In conjunction with the advanced control algorithms, sophisticated measurement techniques have previously been adopted on micromachine systems to provide generator terminal quantities. In power stations, however, a minimalist hardware arrangement would be selected leading to relatively simple measurement techniques. The performance of a range of self-tuning schemes is investigated on an industrial test-bed, employing a typical industrial hardware measurement system. Individual controllers are implemented on a standard digital automatic voltage regulator, as installed in power stations. This employs a VME platform, and the self-tuning algorithms are introduced by linking to a transputer network The AVR includes all normal features, such as field forcing, VAr limiting and overflux protection. Self-tuning controller performance is compared with that of a fixed gain digital AVR.