Loading calculation

Abstract

A system and method for determining loads throughout a power distribution network having a plurality of switching devices provided along a feeder. The method includes measuring the current and / or voltage on one or both sides of the switching devices and calculating a power flowing through each of the switching devices and a load in each section using the current and / or voltage measurements at predetermined sample times. The method further includes storing a plurality of recorded current / voltage measurements or calculated powers flowing through each device for consecutive sample times. The method then determines a median load from the measurements and power flows and calculates a load in each of network sections.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority from the U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 153,657, filed on Feb. 25, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.BACKGROUNDField[0002]The present disclosure relates generally to a system and method for determining loads throughout a power distribution network and, more particularly, to a system and method for determining loads throughout a power distribution network having a plurality of switching devices provided along a feeder.Discussion of the Related Art[0003]An electrical power network, often referred to as an electrical grid, typically includes power generation plants each having power generators, such as gas turbines, nuclear reactors, coal-fired generators, hydro-electric dams, etc. The power plants provide power at medium voltages that are then stepped up by transformers to a high voltage AC signal to be connected to high vol...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a system and method for measuring loads in a power distribution network. The system includes switch devices along a primary feeder and voltage and current measuring devices. The method involves measuring current and voltage on each side of the switch devices and calculating the power flow through them. This data is then stored and a median power is determined. The method can also be used with multiple control devices to calculate power in different sections of the network. Overall, this system and method provide improved load measurement and monitoring in power distribution networks.

Problems solved by technology

Periodically, faults occur in the distribution network as a result of various things, such as animals touching the lines, lightning strikes, tree branches falling on the lines, vehicle collisions with utility poles, etc.

Faults may create a short-circuit that increases the load on the network, which may cause the current flow from the substation to significantly increase, for example, many times above the normal current, along the fault path.

This amount of current causes the electrical lines to significantly heat up and possibly melt, and also could cause mechanical damage to various components in the substation and in the network.

A faulted circuit indicator is a device that automatically detects and identifies faults in an electrical distribution network, but does not have switching capabilities to open a power line.

This not only requires a significant amount of engineering work, but also complicates the logic when the system topology changes due to automated operations.

Further, if a switching device automatically opens, such as in response to a fault, other devices may not be made aware of this switching.

Images