Load Frequency Control of an Isolated Small Hydro Power Plant Using Multi-pipe Scheme

In this article, a load frequency control technique for an isolated small hydro power plant based on a multiple flow control system is proposed. In general, the frequency of the system is controlled by employing a dump load whose rating is equal to the rated power output of the plant. The proposed scheme reduces the size of the dump load to 50%, as 50% input power of the hydro plant is controlled by an on/off control. A generalized transfer function model for the system is developed with on/off control logic, and the parameters were optimized using the integral time absolute error technique. The on/off control linearly raises or lowers the generation. Finally, transient responses are shown for low, medium, and high head installations with different loading conditions.