Model-based load demand control

A method of controlling a load of a power generating system, comprising:

• receiving, at a first dynamic matrix controller, a signal indicative of a current value of a first variable and a signal indicative of a desired value of the first variable, the first variable corresponding to one of a turbine or a boiler of the power generating system;
• receiving, at a second dynamic matrix controller, a signal indicative of a current value of a second variable and a signal indicative of a desired value of the second variable, the second variable corresponding to the other one of the turbine or the boiler of the power generating system;
• generating, by the first dynamic matrix controller, a first control signal based on a target load demand, the signal indicative of current value of the first variable, the signal indicative of the desired value of the first variable, and a first model stored in a memory of the first dynamic matrix controller, the first model being descriptive of a behavior of a process response at various values of load demands;
• generating, by the second dynamic matrix controller, a second control signal based on the target load demand, the signal indicative of the current value of the second variable, the signal indicative of the desired value of the second variable, and a second model stored in a memory of the second dynamic matrix controller;
• and
• controlling the load of the power generating system based on the first control signal and on the second control signal.

A power generating system, comprising:

• a first dynamic matrix controller including:
• respective inputs to receive a signal indicative of a target load demand for the power generating system and a signal indicative of a current value of a first process variable used in one of a turbine or a boiler of the power generating system,
• a memory storing a first model, wherein the first model is descriptive of a behavior of a process response at various values of load demands,
• a first dynamic matrix control routine configured to determine a value of a first control signal based on the first model, the current value of the first process variable, and a value of the target load demand, and
• an output to provide the first control signal to control a load generated by the power generating system;
• and
• a second dynamic matrix controller including:
• respective inputs to receive the signal indicative of the target load demand for the power generating system and a signal indicative of a current value of a second process variable used in the other one of the turbine or the boiler of the power generating system,
• a memory storing a second model,
• a second dynamic matrix control routine configured to determine a value of a second control signal based on the second model, the current value of the second process variable, and the value of the target load demand, and
• an output to provide the second control signal to control the load generated by the power generating system in conjunction with the first control signal.