Method for providing voltage protection to a load connected to a utility power network

Abstract

A voltage recovery system and its method of operation provides voltage protection to a load connected to a distribution network of a utility power system or network by boosting the voltage on a distribution line, during a momentary voltage sag caused by a fault or other contingency. The method includes voltage protection from a voltage recovery system to a load connected to a distribution network of a utility power network. A voltage protection characteristic required by the load is selected. On the basis of electrical characteristics of the voltage recovery system and the distribution network, a determination is made as to whether the voltage recovery system is capable of providing the required first voltage protection characteristic. Determining whether the voltage recovery system is capable of providing the required voltage protection characteristic includes determining a fault current capability characteristic of the distribution network and the maximum voltage improvement characteristic that the voltage recovery system can provide. If the voltage protection characteristic is greater than the maximum voltage improvement characteristic, the fault current capability characteristic and the maximum voltage improvement characteristic are used to determine an impedance in the form of an inductor to be added to the distribution network.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to an electric utility network comprising a generation system, a transmission system and a distribution system serving loads. The flow of electricity on the network is mainly in the form of alternating current, as is familiar to those skilled in the art. Background technique [0002] To remain competitive, utilities are constantly striving to improve system operation and reliability while reducing costs. To meet these challenges, utilities have developed techniques to increase the life of installed equipment, and, to diagnose and monitor their utility networks. Developing these technologies is becoming increasingly important as the size and demands placed on public power networks continue to increase. [0003] A utility grid is generally considered to include a network of transmission and distribution lines, which carry voltages greater or less than about 25 kV, respectively. [0004] Referring to FIG. 1 , the portion of the pu...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Indeed, momentary voltage drops on factory or manufacturing equipment can result in product loss, scrap, disrupted schedules, timeouts, and increased maintenance, all of which can significantly increase costs

For example, a power failure on a semiconductor processing facility can result in $250,000 in scrap on semiconductor integrated circuits

And, no matter how well the utilities service these plants, these incidents cannot be avoided

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