Background Info

The various organizations that oversee electricity reliability in North America have been in existence for decades, with oversight provided by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, or NERC. NERC’s mission is to ensure that the bulk electric system in North America is reliable, adequate, and secure.

In 1997, NERC developed a set of Operating and Planning Standards for use throughout the North American electric industry. These standards included rules for the routine verification of generating unit performance and mathematical models.

The U.S. Energy Policy Act of August 2005 made compliance with NERC standards mandatory and enforceable. This course focuses on the following technical standards:

MOD-025: Verification of Generator Gross and Net Reactive Power Capability
MOD-026: Verification of Models and Data for Generator Excitation System Functions
MOD-027: Verification of Generator Unit Frequency Response, including governor controls
PRC-019: Coordination of Generator Voltage Regulator Controls with Unit Capabilities and Protection
PRC-024: Generator Performance During Frequency and Voltage Excursions

Course Description

The Kestrel Generation Controls course is designed to instruct plant engineers and technicians on the core concepts of utility generators and associated control systems. The goal of the course is to familiarize technical utility staff with the requirements of the latest NERC regulations and help them identify their role in meeting these requirements within their organization.

The material is tailored to cover the specific systems, configurations, and operating scenarios associated with the attendees. Each requirement will be reviewed using the following approach:

Review technical background material necessary to understand the topic and provide references for further study.

Review the latest version of the applicable standard, along with regional interpretations of the requirements.

Discuss methods of meeting technical requirements.

Perform sample calculations, exercises, and simulations illustrating the technical issues and test methods.

The course provides classroom-based instruction and utilizes a comprehensive computer-based course manual and generator controls simulation software package. This software package allows each attendee to perform interactive simulation exercises related to course topics such as Generator Reactive Capability, Generator Voltage Control, Auto Voltage Regulator Tuning, Power System Stabilizer Operation, and more.

The simulations use accurate generator and control system models, allowing users to adjust settings, alter system configurations, and control operation while viewing the simulated response on graphs and meters. These interactive simulations provide a practical way to better understand the course material and its real-world application.