RESTRICTED GOVERNING MODE OF OPERATION: WRITEUP

Introduction
Restricted Governing Mode of Operation (RGMO) is a sequel to the Free Governing Mode of Operation (FGMO), both
introduced by CERC to persuade generating stations to contribute to the stabilization of grid frequency. FGMO was very
stringent in its terms, and very few units responded.
Salient Features of RGMO
1. The frequency correction in load is not to exceed 5% (FGMO did not specify limits), and load set point has to be
limited to 105% over and above the correction.
2. The gradient for load correction allowed is typically 10 % per min (FGMO did not allow any such gradient for initial
response). The gradient for load restoration is typically 1% per min.
3. The allowed droop for response of RGMO frequency correction is 4-6%.
4. The machine should give droop response to one-dimensional frequency changes away from 50 Hz only. That means
when frequency is either > 50.05 Hz and rising, or < 50 Hz and falling. (FGMO response was in both directions, to
any change in frequency, away from or towards 50 Hz). Frequency range of 50 to 50.05 Hz is the ideal settling range
for grid as per present configurations.
5. Once the frequency is stabilized / recovering towards 50 Hz or when the 5% limit is reached, the initial correction
will be restored to zero after a predetermined time of 5 min.
6. Maximum dead band allowed for frequency error is 0.03 Hz.
7. No intentional dead time / delay / filter / gradient is allowed other than those mentioned in the CERC order.
Implementation Methods for RGMO
1. To provide a flexible machine response to frequency variations above and below 50 Hz within a short span of time
(eg. within 1-2 min, the correction is divided into two components, positive (frequency < 50 Hz situations) and
negative (frequency > 50.05 Hz situations). Both components act independently and their sum becomes the overall
frequency correction.
2. Direction of frequency (rising or falling) is detected by comparing running frequency with its low pass filtered output
(filter time 15 sec), detection threshold not exceeding 0.03 Hz.
3. Reference frequency tracks actual frequency through a low pass filter (filter time 1 min). To provide timely and
measured response to grid, this filtering action is configured to be switched on through a pulse (1 min) just when
frequency changes in any direction (rising or falling detected).
4. The dead time of 5 minutes to hold positive component will be cut short if frequency reverses direction to > 50.05
Hz. Similarly the dead time of 5 minutes to hold negative component (independent timer) will be cut short if
frequency reverses direction to < 50.05 Hz. This will ensure that even if frequency quickly varies around 50 Hz
within 5 min, the response is not delayed due to stagnation of any one component.
Practical Difficulties Faced
1. Positive correction is ineffective when machine is already running with governing valves wide open.
2. Boiler response has to support the load correction (done directly in turbine governor through frequency influence of
load correction), keeping throttle pressure stable at Set point +/- 2 ksc. Even for load changes of +/- 5% this is not
always achieved, resulting in CMC tripping to manual due to HPBP opening on the higher side (occasionally) or
Limit Pressure holding on the lower side (rarely, only when some mill trips).
3. Due to delay in boiler response, when throttle pressure exceeds dead band w.r.t set point (2 ksc), pressure correction
becomes active in load control (slope 6 MW/ksc) which will act in opposite direction to the frequency correction,
resulting in less effective load change. Increasing the pressure correction dead band will destabilize overall unit
response and lead to continuous cycling, and is not recommended. Hence only option is to retune the boiler for faster
response.
Improving Boiler Response
Retuning for better response is limited to a large extent by the response of feeders, mill air flow controls and furnace heat
transfer. There is scope for improvement in the response of mill air flow controls (hot air dampers), by providing feeder
demand feedforward in the PA flow set point (rather than at the PID output) and by increasing the slope of feed rate vs PA
flow set point in the active region of feed rate (eg. 36 to 54 TPH). An additional method is to incorporate a characterizer /
lineariser between PID and drive interface, to compensate for non-linear flow characteristic of damper. Inverse proportional
feedforward from feed rate is beneficial for mill outlet temperature control stability (cold air dampers). The gain response of
mill air flow controls can also be improved, but only without causing unstable interaction with hot PA header pressure
control (PA fan blade pitch). Response of PA header pressure control has to be compromised, especially if the actuator is
motorized (unable to provide fine / smooth control). Finally, there is scope for overall CMC response improvement by
incorporating automatic CV correction (with approx 1-2 hr integration) in the form of multiplying factor that converts boiler
master demand to fuel flow set point. In that case, fuel flow PID integration has to be nullified to avoid interaction between
master (CMC) and slave (fuel) controllers.