Optimizing Automatic Voltage Control Collaborative Responses in Chain-Structured Cascade Hydroelectric Power Plants Using Sensitivity Analysis

Southwestern China has abundant hydropower networks, wherein neighboring cascade hydropower stations within the same river basin are typically connected to the power system in a chain-structured configuration. However, when such chain-structured cascade hydroelectric power plants (CC-HPPs) participa...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Li Zhang, Jie Yang, Jun Wang, Lening Wang, Haiming Niu, Xiaobing Liu, Simon X. Yang, Kun Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/11/2681
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850158964128350208
author Li Zhang
Jie Yang
Jun Wang
Lening Wang
Haiming Niu
Xiaobing Liu
Simon X. Yang
Kun Yang
author_facet Li Zhang
Jie Yang
Jun Wang
Lening Wang
Haiming Niu
Xiaobing Liu
Simon X. Yang
Kun Yang
author_sort Li Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Southwestern China has abundant hydropower networks, wherein neighboring cascade hydropower stations within the same river basin are typically connected to the power system in a chain-structured configuration. However, when such chain-structured cascade hydroelectric power plants (CC-HPPs) participate in automatic voltage control (AVC), problems such as reactive power interactions among stations and unreasonable voltage gradients frequently arise. To address these issues, this study proposes an optimized multi-station coordinated response control strategy based on sensitivity analysis and hierarchical AVC. Firstly, based on the topology of the chain-structured hydropower sending-end network, a reactive power–voltage sensitivity matrix is constructed. Subsequently, a regional-voltage-coordinated regulation model is developed using sensitivity analysis, followed by the establishment of a mathematical model, solution algorithm, and operational procedure for multi-station AVC-coordinated response optimization. Finally, case studies based on the actual operational data of a CC-HPP network validate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy, and simulation results demonstrate that the approach reduces the interstation reactive power pulling up to 97.76% and improves the voltage gradient rationality by 16.67%. These results substantially improve grid stability and operational efficiency while establishing a more adaptable voltage control framework for large-scale hydropower integration. Furthermore, they provide a practical foundation for future advancements in multi-scenario hydropower regulation, enhanced coordination strategies, and predictive control capabilities within clean energy systems.
format Article
id doaj-art-e64bc5e7075743f083175786bb30b95a
institution OA Journals
issn 1996-1073
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Energies
spelling doaj-art-e64bc5e7075743f083175786bb30b95a2025-08-20T02:23:44ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-05-011811268110.3390/en18112681Optimizing Automatic Voltage Control Collaborative Responses in Chain-Structured Cascade Hydroelectric Power Plants Using Sensitivity AnalysisLi Zhang0Jie Yang1Jun Wang2Lening Wang3Haiming Niu4Xiaobing Liu5Simon X. Yang6Kun Yang7Key Laboratory of Fluid and Power Machinery, Ministry of Education, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, ChinaKey Laboratory of Fluid and Power Machinery, Ministry of Education, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, ChinaDadu River Pubugou Hydropower General Plant, CHN ENERGY Investment Group Co., Ltd., Ya’an 625304, ChinaDadu River Pubugou Hydropower General Plant, CHN ENERGY Investment Group Co., Ltd., Ya’an 625304, ChinaGuoneng Zhishen Control Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing 102211, ChinaKey Laboratory of Fluid and Power Machinery, Ministry of Education, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, ChinaSchool of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, CanadaChina Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corporation Southwest Company, Chengdu 610041, ChinaSouthwestern China has abundant hydropower networks, wherein neighboring cascade hydropower stations within the same river basin are typically connected to the power system in a chain-structured configuration. However, when such chain-structured cascade hydroelectric power plants (CC-HPPs) participate in automatic voltage control (AVC), problems such as reactive power interactions among stations and unreasonable voltage gradients frequently arise. To address these issues, this study proposes an optimized multi-station coordinated response control strategy based on sensitivity analysis and hierarchical AVC. Firstly, based on the topology of the chain-structured hydropower sending-end network, a reactive power–voltage sensitivity matrix is constructed. Subsequently, a regional-voltage-coordinated regulation model is developed using sensitivity analysis, followed by the establishment of a mathematical model, solution algorithm, and operational procedure for multi-station AVC-coordinated response optimization. Finally, case studies based on the actual operational data of a CC-HPP network validate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy, and simulation results demonstrate that the approach reduces the interstation reactive power pulling up to 97.76% and improves the voltage gradient rationality by 16.67%. These results substantially improve grid stability and operational efficiency while establishing a more adaptable voltage control framework for large-scale hydropower integration. Furthermore, they provide a practical foundation for future advancements in multi-scenario hydropower regulation, enhanced coordination strategies, and predictive control capabilities within clean energy systems.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/11/2681chain-structured cascade hydroelectric power plants (CC-HPPs)automatic voltage control (AVC)sensitivity analysiscollaborative responseoperation optimization
spellingShingle Li Zhang
Jie Yang
Jun Wang
Lening Wang
Haiming Niu
Xiaobing Liu
Simon X. Yang
Kun Yang
Optimizing Automatic Voltage Control Collaborative Responses in Chain-Structured Cascade Hydroelectric Power Plants Using Sensitivity Analysis
Energies
chain-structured cascade hydroelectric power plants (CC-HPPs)
automatic voltage control (AVC)
sensitivity analysis
collaborative response
operation optimization
title Optimizing Automatic Voltage Control Collaborative Responses in Chain-Structured Cascade Hydroelectric Power Plants Using Sensitivity Analysis
title_full Optimizing Automatic Voltage Control Collaborative Responses in Chain-Structured Cascade Hydroelectric Power Plants Using Sensitivity Analysis
title_fullStr Optimizing Automatic Voltage Control Collaborative Responses in Chain-Structured Cascade Hydroelectric Power Plants Using Sensitivity Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Optimizing Automatic Voltage Control Collaborative Responses in Chain-Structured Cascade Hydroelectric Power Plants Using Sensitivity Analysis
title_short Optimizing Automatic Voltage Control Collaborative Responses in Chain-Structured Cascade Hydroelectric Power Plants Using Sensitivity Analysis
title_sort optimizing automatic voltage control collaborative responses in chain structured cascade hydroelectric power plants using sensitivity analysis
topic chain-structured cascade hydroelectric power plants (CC-HPPs)
automatic voltage control (AVC)
sensitivity analysis
collaborative response
operation optimization
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/11/2681
work_keys_str_mv AT lizhang optimizingautomaticvoltagecontrolcollaborativeresponsesinchainstructuredcascadehydroelectricpowerplantsusingsensitivityanalysis
AT jieyang optimizingautomaticvoltagecontrolcollaborativeresponsesinchainstructuredcascadehydroelectricpowerplantsusingsensitivityanalysis
AT junwang optimizingautomaticvoltagecontrolcollaborativeresponsesinchainstructuredcascadehydroelectricpowerplantsusingsensitivityanalysis
AT leningwang optimizingautomaticvoltagecontrolcollaborativeresponsesinchainstructuredcascadehydroelectricpowerplantsusingsensitivityanalysis
AT haimingniu optimizingautomaticvoltagecontrolcollaborativeresponsesinchainstructuredcascadehydroelectricpowerplantsusingsensitivityanalysis
AT xiaobingliu optimizingautomaticvoltagecontrolcollaborativeresponsesinchainstructuredcascadehydroelectricpowerplantsusingsensitivityanalysis
AT simonxyang optimizingautomaticvoltagecontrolcollaborativeresponsesinchainstructuredcascadehydroelectricpowerplantsusingsensitivityanalysis
AT kunyang optimizingautomaticvoltagecontrolcollaborativeresponsesinchainstructuredcascadehydroelectricpowerplantsusingsensitivityanalysis