System control apparatus for power system, and control method thereof

Abstract

A system control apparatus for a power system, and a control method thereof are provided. The system control apparatus comprises: a main protector provided in a main power channel; first to n-th sub-protectors individually provided in first to n-th secondary power channels; and a control unit, which controls the main protector and / or the first to nth sub-protectors so as to determine, on the basis of measurements of a current flowing through the main power channel, the point of occurrence of a short circuit accident if it is determined that the short circuit accident occurs in the power system. n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2.

Description

System control device for power system and control method thereof

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for detecting a short circuit accident occurring in a power system and protecting the power system from the short circuit accident.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0004293, filed on January 10, 2024, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0198087, filed on December 27, 2024, the entire contents of which are disclosed in the specification and drawings of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003]

[0004] Recently, as the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has rapidly increased, and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and satellites has been in full swing, research into high-performance batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging is actively being conducted.

[0005] Currently commercialized batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium batteries. Among these, lithium batteries are receiving attention for their advantages of being able to charge and discharge freely, having a very low self-discharge rate, and having a high energy density, as they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries.

[0006] In the battery activation process, individual charging and discharging procedures for multiple batteries are repeated by multiple chargers and dischargers according to a predetermined activation schedule, usually over a period of several hours to several days.

[0007] To adequately supply the power required to operate multiple electrical loads, such as the chargers and dischargers used in the aforementioned battery activation process, a power system is required. The power system comprises a main power conversion unit and multiple sub-power conversion units, each equipped to supply power to multiple electrical loads, connected hierarchically through numerous power channels.

[0008] Meanwhile, short circuits can occur within power systems due to various factors, such as aging power lines and operator errors. When a short circuit occurs, a very large current can flow, causing equipment damage or even personal injury, such as electric shock.

[0009] Traditionally, fuses have been installed in power channels to prevent risks caused by short circuits. Fuses are blown when current exceeding a certain level flows through the power channel in which they are installed. However, once a fuse blows, it cannot be self-recovered and must be replaced. This means that the entire power system must be shut down until the blown fuse can be replaced, and this process requires a significant amount of time. Furthermore, conventional methods for immediately identifying the location of a short circuit within the power system have been lacking, forcing workers to visually identify the point of the short circuit.

[0010]

[0011] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a system control device and a control method thereof capable of identifying the point of occurrence of a short circuit accident when a short circuit accident occurs in a power system equipped with a main power conversion facility and a plurality of sub-power conversion facilities having a hierarchical relationship with each other.

[0012] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a system control device and a control method thereof that eliminate risk factors caused by short-circuit accidents by cutting off current flow between each sub-power conversion device belonging to an electrical area where a short-circuit accident occurs among the plurality of sub-power conversion devices and the main power conversion device.

[0013] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a system control device and a control method thereof that enable partial operation of a power system even in a situation where a short circuit accident has not been resolved by allowing current to flow between each sub-power conversion device belonging to an electrical area where a short circuit accident does not occur among the plurality of sub-power conversion devices and the main power conversion device.

[0014] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood through the following description and will be more clearly understood through the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims.

[0015]

[0016] A system control device according to one aspect of the present invention is provided for a power system. The power system includes a main power conversion facility, first to nth sub-power conversion facilities connected to the main power conversion facility through first to nth primary power channels branched from a main power channel, and first to nth electrical loads individually connected to the first to nth sub-power conversion facilities through first to nth secondary power channels. n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2.

[0017] The system control device includes a main protector installed in the main power channel, first to nth sub-protectors individually installed in the first to nth secondary power channels, and a controller that determines the point of occurrence of the short-circuit accident by controlling at least one of the main protector and the first to nth sub-protectors when it is determined that a short-circuit accident has occurred in the power system based on a measurement of a current flowing in the main power channel.

[0018] The above controller can control the main protector to cut off power to the main power channel when it is determined that a short circuit accident has occurred in the power system.

[0019] The controller can control the main power conversion equipment and the first to nth sub-power conversion equipment to an off state when it is determined that a short circuit accident has occurred in the power system.

[0020] The controller may control the main protector to apply an electrical stimulus to the main power channel when it is determined that a short circuit fault has occurred within the power system. The controller may determine, based on a measurement of a current flowing in an i secondary power channel while the electrical stimulus is being applied to the main power channel, whether an occurrence point of the short circuit fault exists within an i electrical region from an i primary power channel to an i electrical load. i is a natural number less than or equal to n.

[0021] The controller can determine that the i-th sub-power conversion facility is the point of occurrence of the short-circuit accident when the measured value of the current flowing in the main power channel is greater than or equal to a threshold value and the measured value of the current flowing in the i-th secondary power channel is less than the threshold value.

[0022] The above controller may disallow operation of the i-th sub-power conversion facility if it is determined that the i-th sub-power conversion facility is the point where the short-circuit accident occurred.

[0023] The controller can determine that the i-th electric load is the point where the short circuit accident occurred when the measured value of the current flowing in the main power channel is greater than or equal to a threshold value and the measured value of the current flowing in the i-th secondary power channel is greater than or equal to the threshold value.

[0024] The controller can control the i-th sub-protector to cut off the current of the i-th secondary power channel when it is determined that the i-th electric load is the point where the short circuit accident occurred.

[0025] The above controller can control, in an on-state, a sub-power conversion device of each electrical region in which it is determined that there is no point of occurrence of the short-circuit accident among the first to nth electrical regions.

[0026] The main protector may include a main current sensor that detects current flowing through the main power channel, and a main switch that opens and closes the main power channel.

[0027] The i-th sub-protector may include an i-th sub-current sensor that detects a current flowing through the i-th secondary power channel, and an i-th sub-switch that opens and closes the i-th secondary power channel. i is a natural number less than or equal to n.

[0028] A power system according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a main power conversion facility, first to nth sub-power conversion facilities connected to the main power conversion facility through first to nth primary power channels branched from a main power channel, first to nth electric loads individually connected to the first to nth sub-power conversion facilities through first to nth secondary power channels, and a system control device according to the above.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, a control method of a system control device is provided for a power system including a main power conversion facility, first to nth sub-power conversion facilities connected to the main power conversion facility through first to nth primary power channels branched from a main power channel, and first to nth electric loads individually connected to the first to nth sub-power conversion facilities through first to nth secondary power channels. The control method includes a step of a controller of the system control device determining, based on a measurement of a current flowing in the main power channel, whether a short circuit fault has occurred in the power system, and a step of controlling, when the controller determines that a short circuit fault has occurred in the power system, at least one of the main protector and the first to nth sub-protectors to determine an occurrence point of the short circuit fault. n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2.

[0030] The step of determining the occurrence point of a short circuit fault within the power system may include the step of controlling the main protector so as to apply an electrical stimulus to the main power channel, and the step of determining, based on a measurement of a current flowing in an i secondary power channel while the electrical stimulus is being applied to the main power channel, whether the occurrence point of the short circuit fault exists within an i electrical region from an i primary power channel to an i electrical load. i is a natural number less than or equal to n.

[0031] The above control method may further include a step of controlling, in an on-state, a sub-power conversion device of each electrical region in which it is determined that there is no point of occurrence of the short-circuit accident among the first to nth electrical regions.

[0032]

[0033] According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to automate the identification of the point of occurrence of a short circuit fault in a power system having a main power conversion facility and a plurality of sub-power conversion facilities having a hierarchical relationship with each other.

[0034] In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, by cutting off the current between each sub-power conversion facility belonging to an electrical area where a short-circuit accident occurs among the plurality of sub-power conversion facilities and the main power conversion facility, the risk factor due to a short-circuit accident can be eliminated.

[0035] In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, by allowing current to flow between each sub-power conversion facility belonging to an electrical area where a short-circuit accident does not occur among the plurality of sub-power conversion facilities and the main power conversion facility, the power system can be controlled to be partially operable even in a situation where a short-circuit accident has not been resolved.

[0036] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0037]

[0038] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a drawing schematically showing the overall configuration of a power system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 2 schematically illustrates the detailed configuration of the main protector illustrated in Figure 1.

[0041] Figure 3 schematically illustrates the detailed configuration of the sub-protector illustrated in Figure 1.

[0042] Figures 4 to 6 are drawings that are referenced to explain short-circuit accidents that may occur within a power system.

[0043] Figure 7 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a control method of a system control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a flowchart referenced to explain the detailed procedure of step S730 of FIG. 7.

[0045]

[0046] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, it should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings. Based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best explain his or her invention, they should be interpreted in a way that conforms to the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0047] Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0048] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., are used to distinguish one of the various components from the rest, and are not used to limit the components by such terms.

[0049] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" a component, this does not exclude other components, unless otherwise stated, but rather implies that other components may be included. Furthermore, terms such as "unit" used throughout the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0050] Additionally, throughout the specification, when we say that a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly connected" but also cases where it is "indirectly connected" with other elements in between.

[0051] FIG. 1 is a drawing schematically showing the overall configuration of a direct current distribution-based power system (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 1, the power system (10) includes a main power conversion facility (ME), a DC grid (DG), and first to nth sub-power conversion facilities (SE1 to SE n ) is included. n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2. The power system (10) may further include a system control device (100).

[0053] The input terminal of the main power conversion equipment (ME) can be electrically connected to an AC power grid (1). The main power conversion equipment (ME) can convert AC power from the AC power grid (1) into DC power and output it to a DC grid (DG).

[0054] The voltage of the direct current power output from the main power conversion equipment (ME) can be maintained at a predetermined reference voltage (e.g., 370 [V]) by feedback control. The main power conversion equipment (ME) can include at least one unidirectional AC-DC converter and / or at least one bidirectional AC-DC converter.

[0055] The DC grid (DG) consists of a main power channel (MH) and 1 to n primary power channels (SA1 to SA). n ) may include the first to nth primary power channels (SA1 to SA n ) are power lines branched from the main power channel (MH), and are the first to nth primary power channels (SA1 to SA n ) Each end is electrically connected to one end of the main power channel (MH).

[0056] 1st to nth sub power conversion equipment (SE1~SE n ) can be individually connected to the main power conversion facility (ME) via the DC grid (DG).

[0057] Assuming that i is a natural number less than or equal to n, the i-th primary power channel (SA) of the DC grid (DG) i ) and the series circuit of the main power channel (MH), the i sub power conversion equipment (SE i ) and the output terminal of the main power conversion equipment (ME). The i sub power conversion equipment (SE) i ) may include at least one unidirectional DC-DC converter and / or at least one bidirectional DC-DC converter.

[0058] The DC power output by the main power conversion facility (ME) is supplied to the 1st to nth sub-power conversion facilities (SE1 to SE) through the DC grid (DG). n ) can be supplied to the i sub power conversion facility (SE) i) can convert the DC power supplied from the main power conversion equipment (ME) into DC power having a different voltage level while being controlled in the on-state. From this point of view, the main power conversion equipment (ME) and the first to nth sub-power conversion equipment (SE1 to SE n ) can be said to have a hierarchical relationship.

[0059] 1st to nth electrical loads (L1 to L n ) is the first to nth secondary power channels (SB1 to SB n ), through the first to nth sub-power conversion facilities (SE1 to SE n ) can be individually electrically connected to the power system (10). The power system (10) includes first to n-th electrical loads (L1 to L n ) may be included.

[0060] i electrical load (L i ) is the i sub power conversion facility (SE) i ) can perform its own function by using the DC power supplied from the first to nth secondary power channels (SB1 to SB n ) can be included in the power system (10).

[0061] Main power channel (MH), 1st to nth primary power channels (SA1 to SA n ) and the first to nth secondary power channels (SB1 to SB n ) each may include a pair of electrical lines. One of the pair of electrical lines may be a positive line and the other may be a negative line.

[0062] 1st to nth sub power conversion equipment (SE1~SE n ) can be electrically interconnected through a DC grid (DG).

[0063] The system control device (100) includes a main protector (MP), first to nth sub protectors (SP1 to SP n) and controller (CL).

[0064] The controller (CL) includes a main protector (MP) and first to nth sub protectors (SP1 to SP n ) can be operably coupled to each other. When two components are operably coupled, it means that the two components are directly or indirectly connected so that signals can be transmitted and received in one direction or in both directions. Although not shown in Fig. 1, the main protector (MP) and the first to nth sub-protectors (SP1 to SP n ) can be individually coupled to the controller (CL) via communication lines.

[0065] The main protector (MP) can be installed in the main power channel (MH).

[0066] 1st to nth sub-protectors (SP1 to SP n ) is the first to nth second power channels (SB1 to SB n ) can be installed individually.

[0067] The controller (CL) can control the main power conversion equipment (ME) to an on-state or an off-state according to the operating status of the AC power grid (1), and control the direct current power output by the AC-DC converter that is on.

[0068] The controller (CL) is connected to the DC grid (DG), the main power conversion facility (ME), and the first to nth sub-power conversion facilities (SE1 to SE). n ) and the first to nth electrical loads (L1 to L n ) is configured to monitor at least one state and execute a control function corresponding to the monitored state.

[0069] The controller (CL) may be configured to include, in hardware, at least one of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), microprocessors, and other electrical units for performing functions.

[0070] The controller (CL) may have memory. The memory may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a solid state disk type, an SDD type, a multimedia card micro type, a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and a programmable read-only memory (PROM). The memory may store data and a program required for an operation by the controller (CL). The memory unit may store data indicating a result of an operation by the controller (CL).

[0071] The controller (CL) is configured to control the main power channel (MH) and / or the i secondary power channel (SB). i ) based on the detection value of the current flowing through the power system (10), it can be determined whether an unintended short circuit accident has occurred within the power system (10).

[0072] The controller (CL) can execute a control function to protect the power system (10) when the occurrence of a short circuit fault is identified in the power system (10). Specifically, the controller (CL) can execute a control function to protect the power system (10) based on the result of the determination of whether a short circuit fault has occurred, the main protector (MP) and the first to nth sub-protectors (SP1 to SP n ) can control at least one of the main power conversion equipment (ME), the first to nth sub power conversion equipment (SE1 to SE n ) and the first to nth electrical loads (L1 to L n ) can control at least one more.

[0073] The controller (CL) is a sub-power conversion facility (SE) i ) can transmit a first control signal instructing operation in the on-state or a second control signal instructing transition from the on-state to the off-state. The i sub power conversion equipment (SE) i ) is, in response to the first control signal, the i secondary power channel (SB i ) through the i electrical load (L i ) can supply direct current power.

[0074] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the detailed configuration of the main protector (MP) illustrated in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 schematically illustrates the detailed configuration of the sub protector (SP) illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 2, the main protection device (MP) may include a main current sensor (MCS) and a main switch (MS). The main current sensor (MCS) and the main switch (MS) may be connected in series. The main switch (MS) may be located electrically closer to the main power conversion equipment (ME) than the main current sensor (MCS).

[0076] The main current sensor (MCS) can detect the current flowing through the main power channel (MH). The controller (CL) can determine whether a short circuit has occurred within the power system (10) based on the current detection value detected by the main current sensor (MCS).

[0077] The main switch (MS) can open and close the main power channel (MH). While the main switch (MS) is controlled to the on state, the main power conversion equipment (ME) is connected to the i sub-power conversion equipment (SE). i ) can be electrically connected to the main switch (MS). While the main switch (MS) is controlled to the off-state, the main power conversion equipment (ME) is connected to the i sub power conversion equipment (SE). i ) can be electrically isolated from each other.

[0078] The main protector (MP) may further include a stimulus generator (SG).

[0079] The stimulus generator (SG) is configured to generate an electrical stimulus in response to an operation command from the controller (CL). If the controller (CL) determines that a short circuit has occurred in the power system (10), the controller (CL) can transmit an operation command to the stimulus generator (SG) that induces the generation of an electrical stimulus.

[0080] The electrical stimulus generated by the stimulus generator (SG) can be applied between the positive and negative lines of the main power channel (MH). For example, the electrical stimulus can be a voltage pulse signal. The voltage level of the voltage pulse signal can be within a predetermined voltage range. The duty cycle of the voltage pulse signal can be predetermined.

[0081] Referring to Figure 3, the i sub-protector (SP i ) is the i sub-current sensor (SCS) i ) and the i sub switch (SS i ) may include the i sub-current sensor (SCS). i ) and the i sub switch (SSi ) can be connected in series. The i sub switch (SS) i ) is the i sub-current sensor (SCS) i ) than the i sub power conversion equipment (SE) i ) can be located electrically closer to the

[0082] i sub current sensor (SCS) i ) is the i-th secondary power channel (SB i ) can detect the current flowing through it. In a situation where it is determined that a short circuit has occurred in the power system (10), the controller (CL) detects the i sub-current sensor (SCS i ) based on the detection value of the current detected by the i-th electrical region, it can be determined whether the point of occurrence of a short circuit fault is located within the i-th electrical region. The i-th electrical region is the i-th primary power channel (SA i ) from the i 2nd power channel (SB) i ) or the i 1st power channel (SA) i ) from the i-th electrical load (L i ) may be at least part of the power path.

[0083] i sub switch (SS) i ) is the i-th secondary power channel (SB i ) can open and close the current. The i sub switch (SS) i ) is controlled to the on-state, the i sub power conversion equipment (SE) i ) is the i-th electrical load (L i ) can be electrically connected to the i sub switch (SS). i ) is controlled to the off-state, the i sub power conversion equipment (SE) i ) is the i-th electrical load (L i ) can be electrically isolated from each other.

[0084] The controller (CL) is configured to apply electrical stimulation to the main power channel (MH) by the stimulation generator (SG), while the i sub-switch (SS) i) can be controlled in the on-state.

[0085] Figures 4 to 6 are drawings for reference in explaining a short circuit accident that may occur within a power system (10).

[0086] A short circuit fault refers to a state in which two power lines of at least one power channel within a power system (10) are electrically short-circuited to each other for some reason. Since the resistance at the point where the short circuit fault occurs is close to zero, current may be concentrated at that point.

[0087] Fig. 4 illustrates a situation where a short circuit fault occurs within the main electrical region, not the i-th electrical region. The main electrical region may be a portion from a predetermined point of the main power channel (MH) to the stimulus generator (SG). In this case, most of the current induced by the electrical stimulation applied by the stimulus generator (SG) flows concentratedly within the main electrical region without flowing to the i-th electrical region. That is, most of the current induced by the electrical stimulation may flow in a closed circuit (see the dotted arrow line) including the short circuit point, the two power lines of the main power channel (MH), and the stimulus generator (SG). As a result, the main current sensor (MCS) and the i-th sub-current sensor (SCS) i ) The current detected by each may have little change before and after the application of electrical stimulation by the stimulus generator (SG).

[0088] Figure 5 illustrates a situation where the point of occurrence of a short circuit fault is within the shear portion of the i-th electrical region. The shear portion of the i-th electrical region is the i-th primary power channel (SA i ) from the shear (junction with the main power channel) to the i sub-protector (SP i ) may be a portion of the front end (i.e., the front end of the i-th secondary power channel). A short circuit fault within the front end portion of the i-th electrical domain simply causes the i-th sub-power conversion equipment (SE i) can be called a short circuit fault. In this case, most of the current induced by the electrical stimulus applied by the stimulus generator (SG) flows concentratedly in the front part of the i-th electrical region. That is, most of the current induced by the electrical stimulus flows in the short circuit point (e.g., the input or output terminal of the i-th sub-power conversion facility), the i-th secondary power channel (SB i ) can flow in a closed circuit (see dotted arrow line) including two power lines, a main current sensor (MCS) and a stimulus generator (SG). Consequently, when an electrical stimulus is applied by the stimulus generator (SG), the change in current detected by the main current sensor (MCS) is detected by the i-th sub-current sensor (SCS i ) can be much larger than the change in current detected by the sensor.

[0089] Figure 6 illustrates a situation where the point of occurrence of a short circuit fault is within the rear end of the i-th electrical region. The rear end of the i-th electrical region is the i-th sub-protector (SP i ) from the rear end (i.e., the rear end of the i-th secondary power channel) to the i-th electric load (L i ) may be a part of the i-th electrical region. A short circuit fault within the rear portion of the i-th electrical region is simply a part of the i-th electrical load (L i ) can be called a short circuit fault. In this case, most of the current induced by the electrical stimulus applied by the stimulus generator (SG) flows not only in the front part of the i-th electrical region but also in the rear part. That is, most of the current induced by the electrical stimulus flows in the short circuit point (e.g., the input terminal of the i-th electrical load or the inside of the i-th electrical load), i-th secondary power channel (SB i ) of two power lines, the main current sensor (MCS), and the i-th sub-current sensor (SCS). i) and a stimulus generator (SG) can flow in a closed circuit (see dotted arrow line). Consequently, when an electrical stimulus is applied by the stimulus generator (SG), the current detected by the main current sensor (MCS) and the i-th sub-current sensor (SCS) i ) can both vary greatly.

[0090] As described above with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the main current sensor (MCS) and the i-th sub-current sensor (SCS) i ) It will be easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the amount of change in current detected by each has a characteristic that depends on whether the point of occurrence of the short-circuit fault is the main power channel (MH), the front end of the i-th electrical region, or the rear end of the i-th electrical region.

[0091] Fig. 7 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a control method of a system control device (100) according to another embodiment of the present invention. The method of Fig. 7 can be repeatedly executed periodically or aperiodically, on the condition that the power system (10) is in operation. During the operation of the power system (10), the main switch (MS) of the main protector (MP) is controlled to an on-state. The operation of the power system (10) means that the main power conversion equipment (ME) controls the first to nth electric loads (L1 to L n ) can be referred to as a state in which power is being supplied to at least one of the following:

[0092] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, in step S710, the controller (CL) collects a main current signal from the main protector (MP). The main current signal represents a measurement of the current flowing in the main power channel (MH).

[0093] In step S720, the controller (CL) determines whether a short circuit fault has occurred within the power system (10). For example, if the measured value of the current flowing in the main power channel (MH) exceeds a first predetermined set value, it may be determined that a short circuit fault exists within the power system (10). As another example, if the rate of change of the current flowing in the main power channel (MH) exceeds a second predetermined set value due to a rapid rise or fall of the current flowing in the main power channel (MH), it may be determined that a short circuit fault exists within the power system (10). If the value of step S720 is "Yes," step S730 may be executed. If the value of step S720 is "No," the method of FIG. 7 may be terminated. Optionally, if the value of step S720 is "Yes," the controller (CL) may control at least one of the main power conversion equipment (ME) and the main switch (MS) to an off state. In addition, if the value of step S720 is "Yes", the controller (CL) controls the first to nth sub power conversion equipment (SE1 to SE n ) can be controlled to an off-state.

[0094] In step S730, the controller (CL) controls the main protector (MP) and the first to nth sub protectors (SP1 to SP n ) to determine the point of occurrence of a short circuit fault. If it is determined in step S730 that the point of occurrence of a short circuit fault is within the main electrical area, the controller (CL) may disallow the operation of the main power conversion equipment (ME), and in addition, the first to nth sub-power conversion equipment (SE1 to SE n ) may even disallow the action of.

[0095] In step S740, the controller (CL) controls the sub-power conversion device of each electrical region, among the first to nth electrical regions, in which a short-circuit accident does not occur, to be in the ON state. Step S740 is not essential in the method according to FIG. 7 and may be included or omitted in the method according to FIG. 7 as needed.

[0096] FIG. 8 is a flowchart referenced to explain the detailed procedure of step S730 of FIG. 7.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 8, in step S810, the controller (CL) controls the main switch (MS) and the first to nth sub-switches (SS1 to SS n ) is controlled to the off state.

[0098] In step S820, the controller (CL) sets the control index i to 1.

[0099] At step S830, the controller (CL) switches the i sub-switch (SS i ) is controlled to the on state.

[0100] In step S840, the controller (CL) controls the stimulus generator (SG) to apply an electrical stimulus to the main power channel (MH).

[0101] In step S850, the controller (CL) determines whether a short circuit fault has occurred within the i-th electrical region based on the main current signal collected from the main protector (MP). In other words, it can be determined in step S850 whether the point of occurrence of the short circuit fault is within or outside the i-th electrical region.

[0102] For example, the controller (CL) may determine that a short circuit has occurred within the i-th electrical region when, during application of an electrical stimulus, the measured value (magnitude) of the current flowing in the main power channel (MH) is greater than or equal to a first threshold value, or the change amount (magnitude) of the measured value of the current flowing in the main power channel (MH) is greater than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0103] As another example, the controller (CL) may determine that a short circuit fault has occurred within the main electrical area, not the i-th electrical area, if, during application of an electrical stimulus, the measured value of the current flowing in the main power channel (MH) is less than a first threshold value, or the change in the measured value of the current flowing in the main power channel (MH) is less than a second threshold value.

[0104] If the value of step S850 is "Yes", step S860 may be executed. If the value of step S850 is "No", step S880 may be executed. Note that after the end of step S850, the controller (CL) may switch the i sub-switch (SS i ) can be controlled to the off-state. In addition, if the value of step S850 is "Yes", the controller (CL) controls the i sub power conversion equipment (SE i ) can be disabled (i.e., kept in the off-state).

[0105] At step S860, the controller (CL) is configured to control the i sub-protector (SP i ) is used to determine the occurrence point of a short circuit fault within the i-th electrical region.

[0106] For example, the controller (CL) applies an electrical stimulus to the i-th secondary power channel (SB i ) is less than the third threshold value or the i secondary power channel (SB i ) is less than the fourth threshold value, the i sub power conversion facility (SE) among the i electrical areas i ) is the i electrical load (L) i ) can be judged as having occurred a short circuit in a part that does not belong to it (e.g., the front end of the i electrical region).

[0107] As another example, the controller (CL) may, during the application of electrical stimulation, transmit the i-th secondary power channel (SB i) is greater than or equal to the third threshold value or the i secondary power channel (SB i ) is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold value, the i sub-power conversion facility (SE) among the i electrical areas i ) does not belong to the i electric load (L i ) can be determined that a short circuit has occurred in a part (e.g., the rear end of the i-th electrical region). The third threshold value may be the same as the first threshold value. The fourth threshold value may be the same as the second threshold value.

[0108] In step S870, the controller (CL) determines whether the control index i is equal to n. If the value of step S870 is "Yes", the method according to FIG. 8 may be terminated. If the value of step S870 is "No", the method may proceed to step S880.

[0109] In step S880, the controller (CL) increases the control index i by 1. After step S880, the method according to FIG. 8 can return to step S830.

[0110] In Fig. 8, the control index i is explained as changing in ascending order from 1 to n, but this is only an example. Therefore, it is also possible to determine whether a short circuit fault has occurred and where it occurred for each of the first to nth electrical regions by changing the control index i in descending order from n to 1, or by any other predetermined order.

[0111] The embodiments of the present invention described above are not implemented only through devices and methods, but may also be implemented through a program that realizes a function corresponding to the configuration of the embodiments of the present invention or a recording medium on which the program is recorded, and such implementation can be easily implemented by an expert in the technical field to which the present invention belongs based on the description of the embodiments described above.

[0112] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the equivalent scope of the patent claims to be described below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0113] In addition, the present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the attached drawings, and all or part of each embodiment may be selectively combined and configured so that various modifications can be made, as those skilled in the art can make various substitutions, modifications, and changes within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

Claims

1. A system control device for a power system including a main power conversion facility, first to nth sub-power conversion facilities connected to the main power conversion facility through first to nth primary power channels branched from a main power channel, and first to nth electric loads individually connected to the first to nth sub-power conversion facilities through first to nth secondary power channels, A main protector installed in the above main power channel; First to nth sub-protectors individually installed in the first to nth second power channels; and A controller is included to control the main protector and at least one of the first to nth sub-protectors to determine the point of occurrence of the short-circuit fault, when it is determined that a short-circuit fault has occurred in the power system based on the measurement of the current flowing in the main power channel, n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2, a system control device.

2. In paragraph 1, The above controller, A system control device that controls the main protector to cut off power to the main power channel when it is determined that a short circuit fault has occurred in the above power system.

3. In paragraph 1, The above controller, A system control device that controls the main power conversion equipment and the first to nth sub-power conversion equipment to an off state when it is determined that a short circuit accident has occurred in the above power system.

4. In paragraph 1, The above controller, When it is determined that a short circuit has occurred in the above power system, the main protector is controlled to apply an electric stimulus to the main power channel. While the above electric stimulus is applied to the main power channel, based on the measurement of the current flowing in the i-th secondary power channel, it is determined whether the occurrence point of the short circuit fault exists within the i-th electrical region from the i-th primary power channel to the i-th electrical load. i is a natural number less than or equal to n, a system control device.

5. In paragraph 4, The above controller, A system control device that determines that the i-th sub-power conversion facility is the point of occurrence of the short-circuit accident when the measured value of the current flowing in the main power channel is greater than or equal to a threshold value and the measured value of the current flowing in the i-th secondary power channel is less than the threshold value.

6. In paragraph 5, The above controller, A system control device that disallows operation of the i-th sub-power conversion facility when it is determined that the i-th sub-power conversion facility is the point where the short-circuit accident occurred.

7. In paragraph 4, The above controller, A system control device that determines that the i-th electric load is the point of occurrence of the short-circuit accident when the measured value of the current flowing in the main power channel is greater than or equal to a threshold value and the measured value of the current flowing in the i-th secondary power channel is greater than or equal to the threshold value.

8. In paragraph 7, The above controller, A system control device that controls the i-th sub-protector to cut off the current in the i-th secondary power channel when it is determined that the i-th electric load is the point where the short-circuit accident occurred.

9. In paragraph 4, The above controller, A system control device that controls, in an on-state, a sub-power conversion device of each electrical area in which it is determined that a point of occurrence of a short-circuit accident does not exist among the first to nth electrical areas.

10. In paragraph 1, The above main protector is, a main current sensor for detecting current flowing through the main power channel; and A main switch for opening and closing the main power channel; A system control device, comprising:

11. In paragraph 1, The i sub protector is, an i-th sub-current sensor for detecting current flowing through the i-th secondary power channel; and Including an i-th sub-switch for opening and closing the current of the i-th secondary power channel, i is a natural number less than or equal to n, a system control device.

12. Main power conversion equipment; First to nth sub power conversion facilities connected to the main power conversion facility through first to nth primary power channels branched from the main power channel; First to nth electrical loads individually connected to the first to nth sub-power conversion facilities through first to nth secondary power channels; and A power system comprising a system control device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A method for controlling a system control device for a power system including a main power conversion facility, first to nth sub-power conversion facilities connected to the main power conversion facility through first to nth primary power channels branched from a main power channel, and first to nth electric loads individually connected to the first to nth sub-power conversion facilities through first to nth secondary power channels, A step in which the controller of the system control device determines whether a short circuit fault has occurred in the power system based on the measured value of the current flowing in the main power channel; and The controller comprises a step of controlling at least one of the main protector and the first to nth sub-protectors to determine the point of occurrence of the short-circuit fault when it is determined that a short-circuit fault has occurred in the power system, Control method where n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2.

14. In paragraph 13, The step of determining the point of occurrence of a short circuit fault within the above power system is: a step of controlling the main protector so as to apply an electrical stimulus to the main power channel; and A step of determining whether an occurrence point of a short circuit fault exists within an i-th electrical region from an i-th primary power channel to an i-th electrical load based on a measurement of a current flowing in an i-th secondary power channel while the electrical stimulus is applied to the main power channel; Including, but not limited to, Control method where i is a natural number less than or equal to n.

15. In paragraph 13, A step of controlling, in an on-state, a sub-power conversion device of each electrical region in which it is determined that a point of occurrence of a short-circuit accident does not exist among the first to nth electrical regions; A control method further comprising:

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