Evaluation of Different Francis Turbine Modelling Techniques for Real Time Digital Simulator Applications

In this paper, several well-known modelling techniques of the Francis turbine in the hydropower plants for applying in the real time digital simulator (RTDS) e.g. dSpace – SCALEXIO, are presented and compared. According to the results, selecting proper modelling technique depends on the aim and outlook of the study. It is important to mention that RTDS is the brain and main intelligent core of a powerful laboratory setup named power hardware in the loop (PHIL) system as a very useful laboratory equipment for power systems studies and testing hardware in emulated power system conditions. Furthermore, considering the increase number of variable speed pumped storage hydropower units in recent years and future plans, this paper and its result assist researchers to select a proper modelling technique for implementing the Francis pump-turbine in the RDTS to model variable speed PSH units in the power system studies.