PAT control systems

Abstract

The main rules for the selection of the regulation mode of a PAT based on the operating conditions are presented, as measured at the point of the network where the power plant will be located. The variability of operating conditions in water supply networks is discussed and the influence of the daily demand variation of the flow rate and available head drop is established, with the main regulation modes introduced. Finally, the concept of power plant effectiveness is described and the Variable Operating Strategy (VOS) is proposed as the best design procedure. The reader will be introduced to the importance of PAT regulation in a small hydropower plant, and to the main schemes of PAT installation. In particular, he/she will be instructed on to how to perform an advanced power plant design based on the local operating conditions in order to maximize the power plant effectiveness.