Application of Model Predictive Control Algorithm on a Hydro Turbine Governor Control

Operation of the most turbine governors currently in use is based on Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers. The use of PID controllers is widespread primarily because of their extensive applicability to a variety of single-input-single-output (SISO) applications. However, classical PID controllers have disadvantages, e.g. resiliency to disturbances and uncertainties, as well as integral windup. In this regard, a controller based on the Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm, which is known as a Generalized Predictive Control (GPC), is developed and applied to a linearized SISO model of the hydropower plant. The response of the system with constrained GPC is compared to the classical PI controller. The main conclusion is that GPC provides better performance than the classical PI regulator.