This study focuses on a fuzzy generalised predictive control method for a fractional‐order hydro‐turbine regulating system (HTRS). Based on the Grünwald–Letnikov (G–L) definition of fractional calculus and discretisation, the fractional‐order hydraulic servo system is transformed into the standard controlled autoregressive integrating moving average (CARMA) model. With the help of fuzzy linearisation theory, the fuzzy predictive model of the integer‐order part of the HTRS is presented. Furthermore, by using the fourth‐order Runge–Kutta algorithm, the obtained fuzzy predictive model can be easily transformed into the CARMA model. Then, based on the overall CARMA model and the generalised predictive control theory, a novel nonlinear fuzzy generalised predictive controller is designed for the fractional‐order HTRS. Finally, numerical simulations are implemented to verify the validity and superiority of the proposed method. It also provides a reference for relevant hydropower systems.

This study studies the no‐chattering finite‐time control for a fractional‐order non‐linear hydro‐turbine governing system (HTGS). First, an actual six‐dimensional fractional‐order non‐linear HTGS model is introduced. Then, based on the fractional‐order finite‐time stability theorem and sliding mode control, a novel robust finite‐time terminal sliding mode control scheme is proposed for the fractional‐order non‐linear HTGS. Furthermore, by designing the controller with differential form and introducing the hyperbolic tangent function, the chattering phenomenon is well‐suppressed. Finally, numerical simulations are employed to verify the validity and superiority of the proposed method. It provides a new idea for the stability control of the HTGS and also has a certain reference value for practical engineering application.