Dynamic Modeling of Kaplan Turbines Including Flow Rate and Efficiency Static Characteristics

Models for Kaplan turbines usually assume the runner blades always follow the optimum efficiency relationship, which is not true during transient responses. This misrepresentation can lead to incorrect analysis of system stability. Further, it may be necessary to represent the influence of the blades over flow rate or efficiency rather than only over power. This paper incorporates these characteristics in the turbine model for analyzing the effect of the blades dynamically. Field data were collected from four different turbines. The static characteristics for flow rate and efficiency were identified. Models are presented in normalized values so that they can be reused to represent other turbines. This paper contributes significantly to the modeling of such turbines for dynamic analysis, as a complete representation is not provided in most modeling tools. This is discussed based on the speed control response under isolated operation, showing that the proposed model can provide improved accuracy in the representation of such turbines.