Nonlinear optimal control for synchronization of distributed hydropower generators

Synchronization of distributed hydropower units is necessary for ensuring the quality of the electric power produced by renewable sources. In this article, a nonlinear optimal control approach is proposed for stabilization and synchronization of distributed hydropower generators. The dynamic model of the interacting hydropower generation units undergoes approximate linearization with the use of first-order Taylor series expansion and the computation of the associated Jacobian matrices. The linearization point is updated at each time-step of the control method. For the approximately linearized model of the distributed hydropower system an H-infinity feedback controller is designed. This controller achieves solution of the related optimal control problem under model uncertainty and external perturbations. For the computation of the controller’s feedback gains an algebraic Riccati equation is repetitively solved at each iteration of the control algorithm. The global asymptotic stability properties of the control method are proven through Lyapunov analysis. Finally, to achieve state estimation-based control for the system of the distributed hydropower generators the H-infinity Kalman Filter is used as a robust state estimator.