An inherent challenge to hydrogenerator speed regulation is the nonlinear and time varying nature of the process. When a fixed gain controller is used to regulate such a process, globally stable system response can be achieved only at the expense of degraded off design-point performance. This paper considers the application of an adaptive control methodology that allows the controller gains to automatically adjust to changing process variables and thereby provide uniform closed loop response over a wide range of operating conditions. Preliminary findings derived from a calculated plant model, and a standard recursive identification technique, indicate that the adaptive system provides desirable dynamic response despite changes in system operating dynamics, maintaining stable operation in situations where constant gain schedules fail. >