HYDROELECTRIC GENERATOR CONDITION MONITORING: HOW MARKET-DRIVEN OPERATION CAN AFFECT UNIT BEHAVIOR

摘要

Continuous monitoring and diagnostics of hydroelectric generator vibration and air gap gives plant management the information necessary to manage operational risk and avoid costly shutdowns. Such monitoring has become more important now that changes in market forces in the electric utility industry due to deregulation have altered the way many units are operated. An innovative operations and maintenance (O&M) tool for continuous monitoring and diagnostics that provides this capability is described. This Micro Data Acquisition Unit (MicroDAU) is being applied to a next-generation diagnostic system for hydrogenerator units operated by the New York Power Authority (NYPA). Comprised of a low-cost microprocessor-controlled data acquisition unit and associated software, the MicroDAU monitors vibration, air gap, and process parameters from hydrogenerator units. One MicroDAU is cost effective for monitoring a single hydro unit and uses commercial local or wide area (including Internet) networking to communicate with distributed computer equipment for data analysis and display. Data acquired by the MicroDAU from a 54-MW hydrogenerator, originally designed to operate for extended periods of time as a base-loaded unit, are presented and discussed in the context of the changing market and its effect on hydropower generation.