Analysis and modeling of HPP Tala/Bhutan for network restoration studies

This paper describes the modeling and simulation method and corresponding results of the Hydropower Plant (HPP) Tala, which is the largest existing plant in Bhutan with 6 units of 170 MW high pressure Pelton turbines and a complex control structure. The goal of the associated overall project is to create a complete dynamic model of the Bhutan power system for investigations concerning stability, island operation, network restoration and system optimization. To test the dynamic behavior, measurements of transient processes in different operation modes of the HPP Tala for one exemplary unit have been conducted. Based on the analysis of the measurements and the plant documentation, a detailed practice-oriented high quality nonlinear model was developed and validated step by step, using the Matlab/Simulink software. Relying on the model, some initial investigations of the dynamic behavior of the plant with the focus on islanded operation were conducted.