Maintaining Accurate Hydroturbine Operating Characteristics Utilizing Fleetwide Monitoring and Analysis Tools

摘要

Hydroturbine operating characteristics, usually represented by power versus discharge curves for a variety of fixed heads, summarize the input/output relationship for hydro units, and are the basis for operating hydro units, plants, and systems efficiently. Generally, these curves are derived using scale-up procedures that begin with model data and conclude with an adjustment based on the results of a performance test. For most utilities, this is where the process ends.The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has for many years had an ongoing program of routine performance testing and of updating hydro unit operating characteristics. This program includes periodic testing of all TVA hydro units, as well as the design and test-adjustment of newer operating characteristics. In addition to these programs, for the last two decades, TVA has been actively developing an online performance monitoring, condition monitoring, and plant optimization system to improve the operation and scheduling of its hydro fleet. Recently, TVA implemented a new analysis tool, taking advantage of the testing, operating characteristics design, and online monitoring programs, which provides the mechanism for shifting from a time-based to a condition-based process for scheduling performance tests and maintaining accurate hydroturbine operating characteristics.This paper describes a new fleetwide analysis tool used to maintain both accurate hydroturbine operating characteristics and accurate real-time performance measurements, for unit, plant, and system-level optimization. The paper will provide a brief background on each component utilized in the process, but the main focus is on the newest analysis tool. This tool automates many of the steps associated with evaluating the accuracy of operating characteristics, identifying problems in online performance monitoring data, and determining the optimal testing schedule based on the condition and relative losses associated with individual unit characteristics.