Modeling of synchronous generators in power system studies

Round-rotor synchronous generators, used in steam- and gas-turbine power plants, have historically been modeled in stability studies using the popular genrou model, a model available in all commercial power system simulation programs. Salient-pole synchronous generators, most typically used in hydro power plants, have historically been modeled using the gensal model, also available in all commercial power system simulation programs. For round-rotor machines, the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) has for decades also used an alternative model called gentpf. Recently, WECC started to discontinue the use of the gensal model for salient pole machines and instead uses a modified version of the gentpf model called gentpj. This paper presents clear evidence, from measurements of…