Method and apparatus for control of an electric power distribution system in response to circuit abnormalities

Abstract

A methodology and related system apparatus is provided for using and coordinating the use of information conveyed over communications to most efficiently and flexibly respond to abnormalities to reconfigure and restore service to end customers in commodity distribution systems in a manner to enhance the reconfigurability of the distribution system, e.g. circuit reconfiguration in an electrical power distribution system. Methodology is also provided to appropriately allocate system resources of the distribution system when so desired, e.g. to prevent the potential overloading of electrical power sources. In one illustrative arrangement, the methodology is characterized by resources at each node and communications of source allocation data or messages to other nodes to request and establish an appropriate allocation of system resources. In a preferred arrangement and especially useful for larger distribution systems, “teams” of nodes are defined in the distribution system having associated switching controls with the various teams communicating amongst each other to “negotiate” or work out the most efficient and expeditious reconfiguration of the system in response to fault conditions and other circuit abnormalities.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of Application No. PCT / US03 / 33026 filed Oct. 17, 2003 which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60 / 421,180 filed Oct. 25, 2002, 60 / 421 / 755 filed Oct. 28, 2002, 60 / 474,130 filed May 29, 2003, and 60 / 474,349 filed May 30, 2003.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to improvements in control of commodity distribution systems, e.g. an electric power distribution system, and more specifically to the use of intelligent autonomous nodes for isolating faulted sections of distribution lines, restoring service to end customers, improving circuit protection and allocation of system resources. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] In general, a distribution system comprises one or more sources connected through a distribution network to one or more delivery points. As the commodity (material or energy) is transported through the netwo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] A primary aspect of the present invention is to provide methodology and related system apparatus for using and coordinating the use of information conveyed over communications to most efficiently and flexibly respond to abnormalities to isolate faults and restore service to end customers (circuit reconfiguration); i.e. to enhance the reconfigurability of the distribution system.

Problems solved by technology

As the commodity (material or energy) is transported through the network, abnormalities (e.g., faults) may develop that can lead to a disruption of the normal flow of the commodity or a loss of the commodity from the system.

However, this system may interrupt service to more users than is absolutely necessary.

Particularly on overhead distribution lines, temporary arcing due to wind, lightening, etc causes many faults.

Other than manually operated switches, most distribution feeders have no other means to isolate a fault between the substation and the fuses, thus any failure of the feeder results in lengthy, costly, inconvenient and potentially dangerous outages.

Multiple line reclosers can be placed on a distribution line in series, although it becomes increasingly difficult or impossible to coordinate their settings such that only the nearest recloser on the source side of the fault operates.

This can make such centrally controlled systems less reliable and more difficult and costly to implement and maintain.

Additionally, for small systems with few nodes, the need to include a central controller can significantly add to the cost of the system.

This becomes particularly difficult in circumstances where the circuit branches out (bifurcates) such that multiple load-side switches could attempt to simultaneously pick up additional load and overload the circuit.

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