Optimizing the Performance of Synchronous Generators

Self-excitation is proved to be a simple, reliable, and theoretically economical method for increasing the range of stable operation in a synchronous generator with particular reference to large turbine generators. When the excitation is realized following some general criteria derived in this paper, much greater stability is achieved than with conventional systems. This liberates the design of the generator itself from the limitations normally imposed by stability considerations. A specific example shows that the excitation method described here theoretically allows for a 26 percent increase in power output for a given size generating unit.