Optimal excitation control of non-linear power systems

The paper reviews and discusses developments in optimal excitation control of synchronous generators. The control problem is stated, taking non-linear aspects of the power system into account. Various methods of solution are described and assessed for practical application purposes. An approach in which the control as formulated by a first order term plus a set of higher order terms, representing non-linear components, appears to offer distinct advantages with respect to computing effort and application. Some results of system studies, incorporating optimal excitation control by this approach, are presented and discussed briefly in the paper.