Determining the optimal grid interconnection

Abstract

To determine the optimal set of interconnections to the grid system. A method, system, and apparatus, including a media-encoded computer program product, for determining an optimal grid interconnection may be accessed. An electric power grid model (114) may be accessed, the electric power grid model (114) including a topological representation of the electric power grid and electrical specifications of the grid components. First interconnection data representing a first proposed interconnection (116) to the electric power grid may be obtained. At least one other proposed interconnection to the electric power grid may be selected. A modified electric power grid model (118) may be generated by incorporating at least the first proposed interconnection (116) and the at least one other proposed interconnection into the electric power grid model. A simulation of the electric power grid may be performed using the modified electric power grid model (118) to obtain simulated electric power grid data (119). A combined impact of the first proposed interconnection (116) and the at least one other proposed interconnection on the electric power grid may be determined from the simulated electric power grid data (119).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 477,526, filed December 28, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION This specification relates to electric power systems, and in particular to assessing the technical impact of proposed electric power system interconnections to determine an optimal set of interconnections, e.g., one that provides the most additional clean energy capacity. [Background technology]

[0003] An electric power system transmits power to loads, such as residential and commercial buildings. Interconnections to the electric power system can be generating resources, which may be renewable energy sources. Interconnections to the electric power system can also be new loads, such as new buildings. Adding interconnections to the electric power system can affect the state of the electric power system, and the system can be simulated to determine such effects. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This specification describes techniques related to assessing the technical impact of potential electric power system interconnections by simulating the impact of the proposed interconnections on an existing electric power system to determine an optimal set of interconnections to a power system. The distribution power system interconnection simulation system may be used by a power system operator, such as a utility, to manage interconnection queues.

[0005] Before allowing the installation of an interconnection, a grid operator can use a simulation system to simulate the operation of a distribution grid. Because the process of proposing a new interconnection can take multiple years, it is common to have multiple proposed interconnections pending at any given time, and there may be interactions between various combinations of proposed interconnections. The simulation system described herein can determine the optimal site and asset configuration for interconnection to the grid using parallel considerations, including allowing for increased hosting capacity over longer time periods. The simulation system can perform interconnection analyses of potential grid configurations proposed over long time periods (e.g., 5, 7, 10 years, etc.), including configurations that will exist for a limited time, using various combinations of proposed interconnections, and can perform simulations over a range of conditions and output results, including providing pass / fail decisions for multiple metrics for each proposed configuration. Based on the results of the simulation, the grid operator can decide whether to approve, reject, or modify the proposed interconnection combination. In some implementations, the grid operator can determine how to allocate grid upgrade costs among multiple proposed interconnections.

[0006] Certain embodiments of the subject matter described herein can be implemented to achieve one or more of the following advantages: The techniques described below can be used to determine a recommended combination of proposed interconnections by simulating proposed modifications to the distribution system using multiple combinations of proposed interconnections, even if the particular combination is not formally requested in the interconnection queue. A composite impact assessment from these simulations can be used to determine the proposed interconnection set with the most favorable impact assessment. For example, a favorable impact assessment can indicate that implementing the proposed connection set is likely to provide technical benefits to the system, such as improved reliability and / or increased green energy production and use. For example, a favorable impact assessment of a proposed interconnection set can indicate that the proposed interconnections are connected to the distribution system in a location and order that can be electrically supported by the current distribution system. Thus, the system can determine that the proposed interconnections are likely to have a favorable impact on the operation of the distribution system and can minimize adverse impacts on the operation of the distribution system. As another example, improvements to the operation of the distribution system can include changing the charge and discharge profile of battery power storage or changing set points for power electronics.

[0007] Additionally, the techniques can be used to determine proposed interconnection combinations that may result in undesirable conditions in the power distribution system, and by prohibiting such combinations, the integrity of the power distribution system can be protected. Furthermore, the techniques herein can provide recommendations for addressing predicted safety violations, such as modified asset selection and operating characteristics.

[0008] In general, innovative aspects of the subject matter described herein can be embodied in a method including: accessing an electric power system model, which may include a topological representation of the electric power system and electrical specifications of system components; obtaining first interconnection data representing a first proposed interconnection to the electric power system; selecting at least one other proposed interconnection to the electric power system from among a plurality of different proposed interconnections; generating a modified electric power system model by incorporating at least the first proposed interconnection and the at least one other proposed interconnection into the electric power system model; performing a simulation of the electric power system using the modified electric power system model to obtain simulated electric power system data having the first proposed interconnection and the at least one other proposed interconnection; and determining from the simulated electric power system data a combined impact of the first proposed interconnection and the at least one other proposed interconnection on the electric power system. Other implementations of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatuses, and computer programs configured to perform the operations of the method and encoded on a computer storage device.

[0009] These and other implementations can each optionally include one or more of the following features.

[0010] In some implementations, the method may include generating a permutation of proposed interconnections from at least the first proposed interconnection and at least one other proposed interconnection.

[0011] In some implementations, the method may include an operation of generating a set of modified power system models for the set of proposed interconnection permutations.

[0012] In some implementations, performing a simulation of the power system using the modified power system models includes performing a simulation of the set of modified power system models.

[0013] In some implementations, determining the combined impact may include applying an evaluation criterion.

[0014] In some implementations, the evaluation criteria can include one or more conditions and one or more values.

[0015] In some embodiments, the evaluation criteria may include a machine learning model.

[0016] In some implementations, at least one other proposed interconnect shares a feeder with the first proposed interconnect.

[0017] In some implementations, the planned implementation date of at least one other proposed interconnect and the planned implementation date of the first proposed interconnect are within a configured time period.

[0018] In some implementations, determining the combined impact may include evaluating the rule by matching the predicted safety standard violation to conditions specified in the rule, and, in response to determining that the predicted safety standard violation matches the conditions, providing a recommended adjustment that is predicted to correct the predicted safety standard violation.

[0019] The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an example environment for determining optimal grid interconnection. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process for determining optimal grid interconnection. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system.

[0021] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Adding power grid interconnections can improve the operation of a power grid by adding capacity, including clean and renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaic systems. Additionally, as power demands evolve, distribution grids can undergo additions and modifications on a near-continuous basis. New buildings, renewable power plants, stationary storage, mobile storage, and extensions to existing buildings, facilities, and loads are some examples of possible modifications that can be proposed and made to existing distribution feeders.

[0023] One type of interconnection to the power grid is an inverter-connected resource, which takes direct current (DC) (e.g., from a solar cell) and converts it to alternating current (AC). Inverter-connected resources can include distributed energy resources (DERs), which can be small-scale power supply resources such as solar units or power storage resources such as battery storage, that are interconnected to the power grid.

[0024] Before new devices and systems, including inverter-connected resources, can be connected to the power grid, they often must receive approval for the proposed change from the grid operator. The grid operator ensures that the proposed change is unlikely to cause the operation of the distribution feeders to violate any limits or metrics that exist to ensure safe and reliable operation of the power grid. However, power grids are highly complex, and adding interconnections can have unexpected or unintended consequences.

[0025] To reduce the likelihood of difficult situations occurring, grid operators, such as utilities, can use a distribution grid interconnection simulation system to determine the impact of adding an interconnection. The simulation system can also be used by project developers, property owners, construction companies, and any other parties interested in making additions and / or changes to an electric power grid. Before permitting installation of an interconnection, grid operators can use the simulation system to simulate the operation of the distribution grid with the proposed interconnection. The simulation system can perform interconnection analysis over a range of conditions and output results, including providing a pass / fail determination of multiple metrics. In some implementations, the simulation system can determine aspects of the grid that need to be upgraded to support one or more new interconnections.

[0026] Based on the simulation results, the system can evaluate several metrics, which may include voltage constraint violations, voltage variability, voltage transients, temperature limits, backfeed constraints, capacity constraints, and overvoltages. In some examples, the evaluation result of each metric can be a “pass” or “fail” result. When outputting a “pass” result, the system can provide a margin for the operating limits. When outputting a “fail” result, the system can provide the specific failure factor, the timing, frequency, and duration of the failure condition, and the location of the fault. The system can also provide recommended changes to the proposed interconnection and / or power system required to achieve a “pass” result. Recommendations made by the system can include, for example, curtailment, restructuring of electrical assets, adding storage, voltage control, modifying operating parameters, equipment sizing, protection schemes, etc. Thus, the simulation allows the grid operator to decide whether to approve, reject, or modify the proposed interconnection.

[0027] In addition to evaluating each individual proposed interconnection, the order in which power system modifications, including adding interconnections, occur can substantially affect system operation. A project that includes both a solar PV interconnection and a feeder upgrade can enable the subsequent connection of an additional clean energy source, while adding only a clean energy source without implementing a feeder upgrade can affect system reliability. Because grid operators often consider multiple proposed projects, each of which may have multiple proposed system changes for approval, it can be advantageous to evaluate the impact of each proposed grid modification and the order in which the proposed grid modifications occur across proposed projects and among other proposed projects. Furthermore, when only a subset of proposed projects can be accommodated, it can be useful to select the project that offers the most technical benefit. For example, the project that offers the most technical benefit may be the project that offers the most renewable energy or the greatest improvement in distribution system reliability. In some examples, the project that offers the most technical benefit may be the project that offers the greatest improvement in system reliability without requiring upgrades to feeders or other system components. In some instances, the project that provides the most technical benefit may be one that involves new loads located relative to distributed energy resources such that any adverse impacts on grid reliability and / or the environment are minimized. Thus, when multiple projects are being considered, it is advantageous to simulate the distribution grid to determine which configurations provide different types of benefits and impacts to the grid.

[0028] 1 illustrates an example environment 100 for determining optimal grid interconnections. The environment may include an interconnection determination system 101, a model repository 190, and a connection submitter 199.

[0029] The model repository 190 may store the power system model 114 (for brevity, referred to as the system model 114). The model repository 190 may be any storage system or collection of storage systems suitable for storing a system model. For example, the model repository 190 may include one or more relational databases, object databases, block storage systems, file systems, etc., and any combination. The model repository 190 may provide the system model 114 to the interconnection determination system 101.

[0030] The power system may be a power system that transmits power to loads such as residential and commercial buildings. The power system model 114 may include models of real-world power system assets. The system model 114 may include a topological representation of the power system, electrical specifications of the system components, and empirical operating characteristics. The system model 114 may be specific to a particular geographic region (e.g., a particular city) or electrical region (e.g., a particular electric feeder). The system model 114 may also optionally include models of one or more previously proposed interconnections 116 to the power system, e.g., proposed interconnections 116 that have not yet been built. The detail of the system model 114 is sufficient to enable accurate simulation and representation of the steady-state, dynamic, and transient behavior of the power distribution system.

[0031] In some examples, the system model 114 can include a complete electrical model of the feeders to which the proposed interconnection will connect. For example, the system model 114 can include a high-resolution electrical model of one or more distribution feeders. The system model 114 can include, for example, data models of substation transformers, distribution switches and reclosers, voltage regulation mechanisms, such as tapped magnetic or switched capacitors, network transformers, load transformers, inverters, generators, and various loads. The system model 114 can include line models, such as electrical models of distribution lines. The system model 114 can also include electrical models of fixed and switched line capacitors and other system components and equipment.

[0032] A line model can include multiple segments, which can represent interconnections between electrodes. In the case of underground lines, the segments can represent interconnections between risers or between underground connections, such as transformers and meters. In some examples, the line model can be represented by inductors, resistors, and capacitors corresponding to the associated line length. In some examples, the line model can include models of line-to-line mutual inductance, line-to-line capacitance, and line-to-ground capacitance. Line model attributes can be based on the line connection type and the type of conductor used. Line model attributes can also be based on construction details, for example, whether the line is overhead or underground.

[0033] The system model 114 can be calibrated using measured power system data. The measured power system data can include historical system operating data. The historical system operating data can be collected during system operation over a period of time, such as weeks, months, or years. In some examples, the historical system operating data can be average historical operating data. For example, the historical system operating data can include electrical loads on a substation during a particular time of year, averaged over multiple years. In another example, the historical system operating data can include the number of voltage violations on the power system during a particular time of year, possibly averaged over multiple years or otherwise statistically represented.

[0034] In some examples, the grid model 114 can include default conditions. For example, the grid model 114 can include measured data for certain locations on the grid and not for other locations. The grid model 114 can use the default conditions to interpolate grid operating data for locations where measurements are not available. The default conditions can be, for example, a default ratio or relationship between loads in industrial locations on the grid compared to residential locations on the grid, or a default condition for load increases due to climate change.

[0035] In some examples, the system model 114 may include measurement data for specific time intervals, e.g., specific hours, but may not include measurement data for other time intervals. The system model 114 may use default conditions to estimate or interpolate system operating data for time intervals for which measurements are not available. The default conditions may be, for example, a default relationship between loads at a particular location during the night compared to the day. In another example, the default conditions may be a default relationship between loads at a particular location during one hour in the summer and the same hour in the winter.

[0036] In some examples, the grid model 114 may include measured data for certain characteristics, such as electrical loads, and may not include measured data for other characteristics. The grid model 114 may use default conditions to estimate grid operating data for characteristics for which measurements are not available. The default conditions may be, for example, a default relationship between load and voltage at a particular location on the power grid.

[0037] In some examples, measured data can be used to resolve and reduce errors caused by default conditions in the grid model 114. For example, measured data may conflict with the default conditions. The default conditions can be updated based on the measured data. For example, if the default relationship between loads at a particular location during one hour in the summer conflicts with measured data for the relationship between loads at a particular location during one hour in the summer, the default relationship can be updated based on the measured data.

[0038] In some examples, the system model 114 may include default conditions that include conservative values ​​in place of missing or incomplete data. In some examples, the system model 114 may use worst-case default conditions to enable worst-case analysis.

[0039] The proposed interconnection 116 may include interconnection data that specifies the changes to the electric power system that will occur if the proposed interconnection 116 is implemented. The proposed interconnection 116 may include a full electrical model of all elements that will be added to the electric power system, an indication of any elements that will be removed, and / or a full electrical model of elements that will change as a result of the proposed interconnection 116. The proposed interconnection 116 may also include a variety of metadata, such as a planned implementation date, the party submitting the proposed interconnection 116, the date by which a response is required, projected carbon savings and / or other environmental benefits, project priority, etc.

[0040] The interconnection determination system 101 may use the distribution grid model 114 and the proposed interconnections 116 to simulate the operation of the grid or a subset of the grid in light of the proposed interconnections 116 and determine the optimal interconnections according to value criteria. The interconnection determination system 101 may include a grid model acquisition engine 110, an interconnection data acquisition engine 120, an interconnection selection engine 130, a grid generation engine 140, a grid simulation engine 150, and an impact determination engine 160.

[0041] The lineage model retrieval engine 110 may use any suitable model retrieval technique to retrieve the lineage models 114 from the lineage model repository 190. For example, if the model repository 190 includes a relational database, the lineage model retrieval engine 110 may use Structured Query Language (SQL) operations to retrieve the lineage models 114. In another example, if the model repository 190 includes a file system, the lineage model retrieval engine 110 may use file system operations to retrieve the lineage models 114.

[0042] In some examples, the grid model acquisition engine 110 may acquire the grid model 114 in response to receiving an input. For example, the grid model acquisition engine 110 may acquire the grid model 114 in response to receiving a request from a grid operator to evaluate a proposed interconnection.

[0043] The interconnection data acquisition engine 120 can obtain a proposed interconnection 116 from the interconnection submitter 199. The proposed interconnection 116 can include data describing any possible changes to existing distribution feeders in the electric power system. Distribution feeders distribute power from substations in a larger electric power system to customer loads. The feeders are fed from large substation transformers at the substations and include transformers for loads, or network or service, distributed loads. The proposed interconnection 116 can be, for example, a new building, a renewable power generation plant, or a fixed or mobile energy storage facility. The proposed interconnection 116 can further include energy storage, load shifting (e.g., electric vehicle charging, electric hot water heating, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) conditioning, etc.), and upgraded grid infrastructure (e.g., larger line sizes, transformer upgrades, etc.). The proposed interconnection 116 can also include, for example, extensions to existing buildings, facilities, or electrical loads. The interconnection data for the proposed interconnection 116 to the power grid may include, for example, the location, size, positioning, power output / load, or connection phase of the proposed interconnection 116, and a timeline for the connection.

[0044] A connection submitter 199 may be any party authorized to submit a proposed interconnection 116. Examples of connection submitters 199 may include project developers, property owners, and construction companies, as previously discussed.

[0045] The interconnection selection engine 130 may select multiple proposed interconnections 116 and may provide the proposed interconnections 116 to a system generation engine 140. The system generation engine 140 may apply the proposed interconnections 116 to a system model 114 to produce a candidate system model 118 used for simulation. The candidate system model 118 may be a system model 114 that represents a system that may exist after the proposed interconnections 116 are applied.

[0046] For example, the topological representation of the grid model 114 may include a graph representation of the power grid in which different types of grid components are represented by different classes, with each grid component being represented by an object of a particular class. The grid generation engine 140 may add objects of the classes that define each proposed interconnection 116 to the grid model 114. For example, each object that defines a proposed interconnection 116 may have attributes, such as interconnection data, that define the proposed interconnection 116. As another example, if the grid model 114 includes a graph representation of the power grid, the grid generation engine 140 may add icons that represent the proposed interconnections 116 to the grid model 114.

[0047] The system simulation engine 150 can run one or more system simulations using the candidate system model 118 to produce simulation results 119 and provide the simulation results 119 to the impact determination engine 160. The impact determination engine 160 can determine the combined impact of applying the proposed interconnection 116 to the distribution system and can provide an impact assessment 195 reflecting the combined impact. For example, the impact determination engine 160 can determine the impact assessment 195 using evaluation criteria 162, as described below. The impact assessment 195 can include one or more impact values ​​that reflect the impact of the proposed interconnection 116. For example, a positive impact value can reflect a positive impact, and a negative impact value can reflect a negative impact. In some examples, the impact values ​​can be continuous or binary. In some implementations, the impact values ​​can reflect a ranking of the acceptability of the proposed interconnection. In some implementations, the impact values ​​can each represent the impact of the proposed interconnection 116 on a particular factor, such as an electrical factor or a safety factor. In some implementations, the impact value can represent the combined impact of multiple factors.

[0048] Evaluation criteria 162 may associate impact assessment 195, or components of impact assessment 195, with characteristics of proposed interconnections 116 in light of simulation results 119. For example, evaluation criteria 162 may state that proposed interconnections 116 that result in safety standard violations are assigned large negative impact values ​​(e.g., values ​​that are sufficiently negative so that all such proposed interconnections 116 are rejected), proposed interconnections 116 that result in grid reliability improvements are assigned positive values, etc. Positive and negative values ​​may be included in impact assessment 195, and / or values ​​may be combined to produce a single value for impact assessment 195 or a lower-order vector of values ​​that summarizes the results.

[0049] In some implementations, the evaluation criteria 162 may include constraints and impact values, such that when the constraints are satisfied, an impact value is assigned. The constraints may be in any suitable form, such as a Boolean expression, which may depend on one or more proposed interconnection 116 characteristics, system characteristics, simulation results 119, and other data available in the environment. The evaluation criteria 162 may be provided to the interconnection decision system 101 by an authorized system administrator. The impact values ​​generated from the evaluation criteria 162 may be included in or used to generate the impact assessment 195, as described above.

[0050] In some implementations, the impact determination engine 160 may determine the impact values ​​using one or more trained machine learning models 164 configured to provide one or more impact values ​​and / or impact assessments 195 that reflect the predicted benefits of the proposed interconnections 116. The impact determination engine 160 may use the machine learning models 164 to process inputs that may include any characteristics of the environment (e.g., characteristics of one or more proposed interconnections 116, characteristics of the grid, simulation results 119, etc.) to generate such values ​​and / or impact assessments 195.

[0051] As previously mentioned, the impact assessment 195 may include any data related to the results of the simulation, which may include values ​​of any electrical properties produced by the simulation, including properties created during intermediate stages of the simulation, any criteria met or violated during the simulation, including safety criteria, value metrics associated with the candidate system model 118, etc. The impact assessment 195 may be provided to an authorized party by, for example, representing the data in a graphical user interface for display on a user device, providing the data in an appropriate encoding (e.g., Extensible Markup Language (XML)), storing the data in a storage system (e.g., a file system or database), using other techniques, or using a combination of various techniques.

[0052] 2 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process for determining an optimal grid interconnection. For convenience, process 200 will be described as being performed by a system for determining an optimal grid interconnection, e.g., interconnection determination system 101 of FIG. 1, suitably programmed to perform the process. The operations of process 200 may also be embodied as instructions stored on one or more computer-readable media, which may be non-transitory, and execution of the instructions by one or more data processing devices may cause the one or more data processing devices to perform the operations of process 200. One or more other components described herein may perform the operations of process 200.

[0053] The system may access 210 a power system model that includes a topological representation of the power system and electrical specifications of the system components. The system may access the power system model using any suitable technique. For example, if the power system model is stored in a file system, the system may access the power system model using file system operations, and if the power system model is stored in a relational database, the system may access the power system model using SQL operations.

[0054] The system may obtain 220 first interconnection data representing a first proposed interconnection to the electric power system. In some implementations, the system may include an application programming interface (API) configured to accept the proposed interconnection including the interconnection data. An authorized submitter may call the API to provide the interconnection data and provide one or more proposed interconnections. In some implementations, the authorized submitter may provide the interconnection data to a storage system, and the system may obtain the interconnection data using a technique appropriate for the storage system.

[0055] The system may select 230 at least one other proposed interconnection to the electric power system from among the plurality of different proposed interconnections. The plurality of different proposed interconnections may be obtained using the technique of operation 220 or other suitable techniques. In some implementations, the system may perform process 200 using the first proposed interconnection (obtained in operation 220) along with other possible arrangements of the other proposed interconnections. In some implementations, the system may determine all permutations including the first proposed interconnection in combination with other proposed interconnections among the plurality of different proposed interconnections. For example, if the first proposed interconnection is denoted A and there are proposed interconnections denoted B and C, the permutations include {A,B}, {B,A}, {A,C}, {C,A}, {A,B,C}, {A,C,B}, {B,A,C}, {B,C,A}, {C,A,B}, and {C,B,A}. The order in which proposed interconnections are connected to the grid may be relevant in some situations, so the system can use permutations instead of combinations. In situations where the order of connection to the grid is less relevant, the system can simulate different combinations of proposed interconnections. For example, the order may be more relevant when the set of possible interconnections includes different types of interconnections, e.g., loads, sources, and power storage, while the order may be less relevant when all types of interconnections are the same (e.g., all loads or sources). The order in which storage is added may also be important, as excess storage capacity may become available to other users as storage becomes available.

[0056] In some implementations, the system can select at least one other proposed interconnection from among the proposed interconnections to the same feeder. The feeders indicated in the proposed interconnections obtained in operation 220 can be identified and compared to the feeders for the proposed interconnection among all other proposed interconnections. If the feeders indicated in the proposed interconnection correspond to the feeders for another proposed interconnection, the other proposed interconnection can be included in the permutation. By limiting the number of proposed interconnections considered, the system can limit the computational resources required to perform the simulation.

[0057] In some implementations, the system may select at least one other proposed interconnection from among the proposed interconnections proposed to occur within a configured time period (e.g., 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, etc.). The planned implementation date indicated in the proposed interconnection obtained in operation 220 may be identified and compared to the planned implementation dates of all other proposed interconnections. If the proposed implementation date is within the configured time period, the other proposed interconnection may be included in the permutation or combination. As described above, by limiting the number of proposed interconnections considered, the system may limit the computational resources required to perform the simulation.

[0058] In some implementations, the system performs a simulation using the first proposed interconnection and a subset of other proposed interconnections. For example, the system can limit combinations to proposed interconnections within a specified distance, which may be a geographical or electrical distance, defined by the possible interactions between the proposed interconnections, such that interconnections that do not interact or whose interactions are sufficiently small to be negligible are excluded. In another example, the system can limit combinations of proposed interconnections to particular load zones, e.g., zones managed by a single operator. In such a case, the system can determine a permutation that includes the first proposed interconnection and other proposed interconnections that meet a distance threshold.

[0059] Once the proposed interconnections are identified, the system can select a first permutation from among those permutations. From the first permutation, the system can determine both the other proposed interconnections to be simulated and the order in which the proposed interconnections will be applied in the simulation. The proposed interconnections included in the permutation and used to determine the modified power system may be referred to as a proposed interconnection set. In various implementations, the system can randomly or pseudo-randomly select the first permutation. The system can select a smaller permutation (e.g., a permutation with only one other proposed interconnection) for the first permutation. The system can subsequently select a larger permutation for the next permutation (e.g., a permutation with two or more other proposed interconnections). The system can store an indication that the first permutation has been selected and therefore will not be selected thereafter, and once a permutation is selected, the permutation can be removed from the list of permutations.

[0060] The system may generate a modified power system model by incorporating (240) the interconnections in the proposed interconnection set, including at least the first interconnection and at least one other proposed interconnection, into the power system model. The system may modify the system (obtained in operation 210) by applying the proposed modifications specified by the permutation selected in operation 230. Specifically, the system may generate a modified power system model that exists after each proposed interconnection in the permutation is applied. For example, if the permutation {A, B} is selected, applying proposed interconnection A to the power system model results in a first modified power system model, and applying proposed interconnection B to the first modified power system model results in a second modified power system model.

[0061] The system may use the modified power system model to perform a simulation of the power system to obtain simulated power system data having the first proposed interconnection and at least one other proposed interconnection (250). The simulation may be based on, for example, root-mean-square (RMS), power flow, positive-sequence, and / or time-series voltage transient analysis. In some embodiments, the system may simulate only the modified power system model that exists after all proposed interconnections have been applied. In some implementations, the system may simulate each of multiple modified power system models created as the proposed interconnections are applied sequentially. Such a simulation approach provides an impact assessment for each stage, capturing both interim benefits and risks that may not be represented in the final impact assessment. In some implementations, the system may simulate a subset of the multiple modified power system models created as the proposed interconnections are applied sequentially.

[0062] For each simulation, the interconnection simulation system can perform a comprehensive interconnect evaluation using a reduced set of input data. The interconnection simulation system can perform fast simulations over a variety of dynamic power system operating conditions over a simulated period, for example, based on historical power system data. The simulations can include predicted operating conditions over discrete time intervals, for example, for each hour of a simulated year.

[0063] The simulation system can simulate the effects of interconnections on an electrical distribution system under a variety of predicted load conditions, including variations due to factors such as seasonal, calendar, and time-of-day effects. The interconnection simulation system can simulate the effects of interconnections at multiple locations on the electrical distribution system. The interconnection simulation system can simulate various electrical operating characteristics, such as current, voltage, power factor, load, etc., at multiple locations and over long simulation periods.

[0064] The amount of data processed during each simulation may depend on the size and framework of the distribution feeder to which the proposed interconnection connects. The simulation may analyze the predicted impact of all connections to the affected distribution feeder and all components of the affected distribution feeder. Thus, the complexity of the simulation may vary depending on the structure of the distribution feeder.

[0065] For example, the simulations may vary depending on the length, power, and number of loads on the distribution feeder. A typical distribution feeder may range in length from about 1 mile to 10 miles. A typical distribution feeder may range in power from about 1 to 10 megawatts. The number of loads connected to the feeder may range from several hundred residential loads to several thousand residential loads. In some cases, there may be as many as several dozen commercial or industrial loads, and even as many as several hundred commercial or industrial loads.

[0066] The structure of a distribution feeder can also vary based on location. In urban environments, residential loads typically share a transformer. In rural environments, each residential load may have a separate transformer. Commercial and industrial loads are typically served by three-phase transformers. Thus, the number of loads and transformers in a feeder can be as few as a few hundred loads with a few hundred transformers for a rural feeder. The number of loads and transformers in a feeder can be as many as thousands of loads with hundreds of single-phase transformers in an urban environment, combined with tens or hundreds of larger three-phase loads and transformers.

[0067] In some examples, the system can simulate the operation of multiple feeders. For example, the simulation can include an analysis of the operation of all feeders across a geographic region, such as a city, county, province, or state. In some cases, the system can model the operation of each individual feeder within the region and aggregate the results to model the operation of multiple feeders in the region.

[0068] In some cases, the system can model the operational effects of multiple feeders on each other. For example, multiple feeders may be connected to a shared substation transformer. The system can simulate the effect of a transient on one feeder on another feeder connected to the same transformer.

[0069] The system can analyze the expected operation of the power system in which the interconnection is installed by applying empirical historical data to a system model in which the interconnection is installed. The empirical historical data can include, for example, past distribution system characteristics based on measurements, calculations, estimates, and interpolations. The characteristics can include, for example, load, voltage, current, and power factor. The empirical historical data can represent power system operation of multiple interconnected components within a specified geographic area. The empirical historical data can represent average distribution system operating characteristics over a period of time, for example, multiple weeks, months, or years.

[0070] In some examples, the simulation can analyze the operation of the power system before and after the addition of the proposed interconnection. For example, the system can use the power system model to generate simulated power system data, or simulation results, before the interconnection. The simulation results before the interconnection can include electrical operating characteristics of the power system over a simulated period of time without the proposed interconnection.

[0071] The system can determine (260) a composite impact of the proposed interconnection set from the simulated power system data, where the interconnection set includes the first interconnection and at least one other proposed interconnection to the power distribution system. The system can evaluate multiple factors to determine the composite impact. For example, various factors can be determined from the simulated power system data, such as metrics like improved stability, improved reliability, additional power introduced, and safety violations. The factors can also include information provided for the proposed interconnection, such as carbon savings and other environmental benefits.

[0072] The system can include one or more models that map factors to combined effects. In some implementations, the models can be linear models, with each factor including a scaling value. For example, the models can be of the following form:

[0073]

number

[0074] The magnitude of the safety violation can be set to an arbitrarily large number (eg, −∞) so that proposed interconnections that result in a safety violation are rejected.

[0075] In some implementations, in response to determining that a safety violation is predicted, the system can determine predicted and recommended adjustments to correct the violation. For each type of safety violation, the system can include rules that indicate corrective adjustments to address the safety violation. Such rules can apply to a wide range of system components and safety violations and can be provided to the system as configuration information by a system administrator or other authorized user.

[0076] The type of safety violation can be described by a condition in a rule. For example, a condition can specify a particular type of safety violation (e.g., overload) in a certain type of power distribution system component (e.g., transformer), a particular model of the component (e.g., transformer made by a particular manufacturer), or a particular make and model of the component (e.g., a particular model of transformer made by a particular manufacturer). Rules can also apply to the magnitude of the safety violation (e.g., minor violation of load limit, major violation of load limit, etc.), etc.

[0077] The system can evaluate rules by matching the safety violations predicted from the simulation with the conditions specified in the rule. If multiple conditions are met, the system can apply the most specific rule. For example, if one condition specifies the type of transformer and a second condition specifies the type and model of the transformer, and both conditions are met, the system selects the more specific condition specifying the type and model.

[0078] The result of the match may be a recommended adjustment. For example, if the safety standard violation specifies an overload, the recommended adjustment may be to upgrade a transformer or wiring. In another example, the system may recommend adding a new power source before the new load. The system may provide the recommended adjustment as a component of the impact assessment, as further described in connection with operation 270.

[0079] In some implementations, the model can be a machine learning model configured to produce a composite impact. The system can use the machine learning model to process inputs including factors, and the result can be a composite impact. In some implementations, the composite impact can include one or more values ​​calculated using the model and other factors, such as an indication of a safety violation or other risk.

[0080] The system can provide the interconnection impacts (270) using various techniques. For example, the system can store the interconnection impacts of the proposed interconnection set on the storage system using a technique appropriate for the storage system, such as by storing the interconnection impacts in a relational database using SQL operations. In some implementations, the system can provide the interconnection impacts as data transmitted to an authorized party. For example, the system can encode the interconnection impacts as XML and transmit the XML using any suitable network protocol, such as HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP) or HTTP-Secure (HTTP-S). In some implementations, the system can provide the interconnection impacts as user interface presentation data that, when rendered by a client device, causes the client device to render a user interface including information about the interconnection impacts.

[0081] In some implementations, the system may determine (275) whether additional proposed interconnection sets require evaluation. If so, the system may return to operation 230. If not, the process may proceed to operation 285. In some implementations, the system may examine the list of permutations (created in operation 230), and if the list is not empty, the system may determine that additional interconnection data requires evaluation.

[0082] The system may determine 285 a recommended proposed interconnection. As described in connection with operation 270, the system may store the composite impact of each evaluated proposed interconnection set. The system may determine, from among the evaluated proposed interconnection sets, the proposed interconnection set with the most favorable composite impact (e.g., the one with the largest composite impact value). The system may provide the recommended proposed interconnection using, for example, the technique of operation 270 or a similar technique.

[0083] 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system 300 that can be used to perform the operations described above. System 300 includes a processor 310, a memory 320, a storage device 330, and an input / output device 340. Each of the components 310, 320, 330, and 340 can be interconnected using, for example, a system bus 350. Processor 310 can process instructions for execution within system 300. In one implementation, processor 310 is a single-threaded processor. In another implementation, processor 310 is a multi-threaded processor. Processor 310 can process instructions stored in memory 320 or on storage device 330.

[0084] The memory 320 stores information within the system 300. In one implementation, the memory 320 is a computer-readable medium. In one implementation, the memory 320 is a volatile memory unit. In another implementation, the memory 320 is a non-volatile memory unit.

[0085] The storage device 330 can provide mass storage for the system 300. In one implementation, the storage device 330 is a computer-readable medium. In various different implementations, the storage device 330 may include, for example, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, a storage device shared over a network by multiple computing devices (e.g., a cloud storage device), or some other mass storage device.

[0086] The input / output device(s) 340 provide input / output operations for the system 300. In one implementation, the input / output device(s) 340 may include one or more of a network interface device, e.g., an Ethernet card, a serial communication device, e.g., an RS-232 port, and / or a wireless interface device, e.g., an 802.11 card. In another implementation, the input / output device(s) may include a driver device configured to receive input data and send output data to other input / output devices, e.g., a keyboard, a printer, and a display device 360. However, other implementations, such as a mobile computing device, a mobile communication device, a set-top box, a television client device, etc., may also be used.

[0087] Although an exemplary processing system is depicted in FIG. 3, implementations of the subject matter and functional operations described herein can be realized in other types of digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed herein and their structural equivalents, or in one or more combinations of these.

[0088] Embodiments of the subject matter and functional operations described herein can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed herein and their structural equivalents. Embodiments of the subject matter described herein can be implemented as one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a computer-readable medium for execution by or controlling the operation of a data processing apparatus. The computer-readable medium may be an article of manufacture such as a hard drive in a computer system, an optical disk sold through retail channels, or an embedded system. The computer-readable medium may be obtained separately and encoded with one or more modules of computer program instructions, such as by distribution of one or more modules of computer program instructions over a wired or wireless network. The computer-readable medium may be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, or a combination of one or more of these.

[0089] The term "data processing apparatus" encompasses all apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including, by way of example, a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. In addition to hardware, an apparatus may include code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, such as code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, an execution environment, or one or more combinations thereof. Additionally, an apparatus may employ a variety of different computing model infrastructures, such as web services, distributed computing, and system computing infrastructures.

[0090] A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any suitable form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative or procedural languages, and can be deployed in any suitable form, including as a stand-alone program or included as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored within a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files storing one or more modules, subprograms, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communications network.

[0091] The processes and logic flows described herein may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows may also be performed by, and apparatus may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).

[0092] Processors suitable for executing computer programs include, by way of example, dedicated microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random-access memory, or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include one or more mass storage devices, such as magnetic, magneto-optical, or optical disks, for storing data, or be operatively coupled to receive data from, transfer data to, or both. However, a computer need not have such devices. Furthermore, a computer can be incorporated into another device, such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile audio or video player, a game console, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, or a portable storage device (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive), to name just a few. Suitable devices for storing computer program instructions and data include, by way of example, semiconductor memory devices such as EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and flash memory devices, magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and all forms of non-volatile memory, including CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0093] The term "engine" is used broadly herein to refer to a software-based system, subsystem, or process that is programmed to perform one or more specific functions. Generally, an engine is implemented as one or more software modules or components and installed on one or more computers in one or more locations. In some cases, one or more computers are dedicated to a particular engine. In other cases, multiple engines may be installed and run on the same computer(s).

[0094] To provide for user interaction, embodiments of the subject matter described herein may be implemented on a computing device capable of providing information to a user. The information may be provided to the user in any form of sensory format, including visual, auditory, tactile, or a combination thereof. The computing device may be coupled to a display device, such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) display device, an OLED (organic light emitting diode) display device, another monitor, a head-mounted display device, etc., to display information to the user. The computing device may be coupled to an input device. Input devices may include a touchscreen, a keyboard, and a pointing device, such as a mouse or trackball, through which a user can provide input to the computing device. Other types of devices may be used to provide for user interaction as well; for example, feedback provided to the user may be any suitable form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback, and input from the user may be received in any suitable form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

[0095] A computing system may include clients and servers. Clients and servers are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communications network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other. Embodiments of the subject matter described herein may be implemented in a computing system that includes back-end components, such as data servers, or middleware components, e.g., application servers, or front-end components, such as client computers having graphical user interfaces or web browsers through which users can interact with implementations of the subject matter described herein, or any combination of one or more such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communications network. Examples of communications networks include local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), internetworks (e.g., the Internet), and peer-to-peer networks (e.g., ad-hoc peer-to-peer networks).

[0096] While this specification contains many implementation details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of what is or may be claimed, but rather as describing features unique to particular embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Certain features described herein in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, while features may be described above as acting in a particular combination and may even initially be claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination may, in some cases, be deleted from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or a variation of the subcombination. Thus, unless expressly specified otherwise or unless the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art clearly dictates otherwise, any feature of the above-described embodiments can be combined with any other feature of the above-described embodiments.

[0097] Similarly, although operations are depicted in the figures in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring such operations to be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desired results. In certain situations, multitasking and / or parallel processing may be advantageous. Furthermore, the separation of various system components in the above-described embodiments should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems may generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged in multiple software products.

[0098] Thus, while specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results.

Claims

1. 1. A computer-implemented method comprising: accessing a power system model including a topological representation of the power system and electrical specifications of the system components; obtaining first interconnection data representing a first proposed interconnection to the electric power system; selecting at least one other proposed interconnection to the power grid from among a plurality of different proposed interconnections; generating a modified power system model by incorporating at least the first proposed interconnection and the at least one other proposed interconnection into the power system model; and running a simulation of the electric power system using the modified electric power system model to obtain simulated electric power system data having the first proposed interconnection and the at least one other proposed interconnection; determining from the simulated power system data a combined impact on the power system of the first proposed interconnection and the at least one other proposed interconnection; 11. A computer-implemented method comprising:

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising generating a permutation of proposed interconnections from at least the first proposed interconnection and the at least one other proposed interconnection.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , further comprising generating a set of modified power system models for the set of proposed interconnection permutations.

4. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein performing a simulation of the power system using the modified power system model comprises performing a simulation of the set of modified power system models.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the combined impact comprises applying an evaluation metric.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , wherein the evaluation criteria include one or more conditions and one or more values.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , wherein the evaluation criteria include a machine learning model.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one other proposed interconnect shares a feeder with the first proposed interconnect.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein a planned implementation date of at least one other proposed interconnect and a planned implementation date of the first proposed interconnect are within a configured time period.

10. determining said combined effects, evaluating the rules by matching predicted safety violations to conditions specified in the rules; In response to determining that the predicted safety standard violation meets the condition, providing a recommended adjustment that is predicted to correct the predicted safety standard violation; and The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , comprising:

11. 1. A system comprising one or more computers and one or more storage devices that store instructions, the instructions, when executed by the one or more computers, causing the one or more computers to: accessing a power system model including a topological representation of the power system and electrical specifications of the system components; obtaining first interconnection data representing a first proposed interconnection to the electric power system; selecting at least one other proposed interconnection to the power grid from among a plurality of different proposed interconnections; generating a modified power system model by incorporating at least the first proposed interconnection and the at least one other proposed interconnection into the power system model; and running a simulation of the electric power system using the modified electric power system model to obtain simulated electric power system data having the first proposed interconnection and the at least one other proposed interconnection; determining from the simulated power system data a combined impact on the power system of the first proposed interconnection and the at least one other proposed interconnection; A system that performs an operation including:

12. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise generating a permutation of proposed interconnections from at least the first proposed interconnection and the at least one other proposed interconnection.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the operations further comprise generating a set of modified power system models for the set of proposed interconnection permutations.

14. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein performing a simulation of the power system using the modified power system model comprises performing a simulation of the set of modified power system models.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein determining the combined impact comprises applying a metric.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the evaluation criteria include a machine learning model.

17. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one other proposed interconnect shares a feeder with the first proposed interconnect.

18. The system of claim 11 , wherein a planned implementation date of at least one other proposed interconnect and a planned implementation date of the first proposed interconnect are within a configured time period.

19. determining said combined effects, evaluating the rules by matching predicted safety violations to conditions specified in the rules; In response to determining that the predicted safety standard violation meets the condition, providing a recommended adjustment that is predicted to correct the predicted safety standard violation; and The system of claim 11 , comprising:

20. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more computers, cause the one or more computers to: accessing a power system model including a topological representation of the power system and electrical specifications of the system components; obtaining first interconnection data representing a first proposed interconnection to the electric power system; selecting at least one other proposed interconnection to the power grid from among a plurality of different proposed interconnections; generating a modified power system model by incorporating at least the first proposed interconnection and the at least one other proposed interconnection into the power system model; and running a simulation of the electric power system using the modified electric power system model to obtain simulated electric power system data having the first proposed interconnection and the at least one other proposed interconnection; determining from the simulated power system data a combined impact on the power system of the first proposed interconnection and the at least one other proposed interconnection; One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media that perform operations including:

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