Technical Service Center, Infrastructure Services
Hydropower Technical Services Group
The Control Systems Analysis & Testing Team
Team Leader: J. C. Agee
This team is primarily charged with maintaining Reclamation's excitation and speed governing control systems. This is not control board-type work, but rather it is feedback control oriented analysis using LaPlace diagrams, Bode plots, and other mathematical models. Power system stability and control are the prime responsibility of this team. The team is responsible for selection of voltage regulator, power system stabilizer, transient excitation boosting, and speed governor control parameters to ensure proper generator and power system performance, and to ensure proper stability (transient, dynamic, and steady state) is maintained and/or enhanced as follows:
- The team performs equipment and power system dynamic simulations, controller circuit analysis, and feedback control system review analysis. Determines settings; and performs troubleshooting, diagnostics, alignments, and field testing of these systems.
- Note: Digital power system studies, when required, are coordinated or performed jointly with 86-68440. On new or replacement equipment, 86-68450 provides related services as requested to 86-68440.
- This team performs simulations and calculations necessary to meet Reclamation's servosystem control needs. It provides digital, mechanical, and electronic governor advice, diagnostics, field testing, and troubleshooting services as needed to the field clients and to the Mechanical Power Program ServicesTeam.
- The team also provides control system stability and power system reliability monitoring services to meet Reclamation's growing need in this area, and is currently developing a remote monitoring program for Reclamation.
- This team provides optimal electronic, mechanical, and digital control expertise and services in the above-mentioned areas. The group sits on several WECC (Western Electricity Coordinating Council) and IEEE system stability working groups and oversees and coordinates some, WECC needs with Reclamation, and also provides training to field staff and to WAPA's Electric Power Training Center.
- This team performs applied research and development functions associated with power system control, stability, and advanced control system techniques including but not limited to optimal controllers, digital speed governors, voltage regulators, etc. This team also provides excitation system limiter support, troubleshooting, setting, and testing.