Adaptive Protection Parameterization for Multi-State Power Networks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of network states in power supply networks due to small, decentralized energy generators has rendered conventional protection technologies inflexible and manual reconfiguration inadequate, leading to inefficiencies in adapting protection device parameters.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for automating the adaptation of protection device parameters using a control station that calculates and distributes network state-specific parameter sets, utilizing a database of predicted network states and AI for forecasting, with a fallback mechanism to ensure network stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If parameter sets are manually reconfigured by protection technicians, then protection devices can be adapted to new network states, but the process becomes time-consuming and cannot keep pace with the exponentially increasing number of network states

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of protection devices to network statesVSAvoidtime for reconfiguring parameter sets
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control station calculates and stores multiple parameter sets in advance for different network states before they are actually needed. When a network state change occurs, the protection device can immediately switch to the pre-calculated parameter set, eliminating the time-consuming manual reconfiguration process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protection device automatically receives and applies parameter sets from the control station without requiring manual intervention by protection technicians. The system self-adjusts to new network states through automated communication and parameter application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple parameter sets are stored in protection devices for different network states, then the devices can adapt to changing grid conditions, but the device complexity and memory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to handle multiple network statesVSAvoidcomplexity of parameter management in protection devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control station serves as an intermediary that centralizes the calculation, storage, and management of parameter sets. Instead of distributing the burden of managing multiple parameter sets across all protection devices, the control station maintains the master database and distributes only the necessary parameter sets to individual devices as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The parameter sets are segmented and organized by network states in the control station's database. Each parameter set is independently stored and can be selectively distributed to protection devices based on the current network state, rather than requiring all devices to store all possible parameter sets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If parameter sets are frequently updated in protection devices to match changing network states, then protection accuracy is maintained, but the number of write operations increases causing more errors and longer programming times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of protection parametersVSAvoidease of programming and updating devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Parameter sets are pre-calculated and validated by the control station before being transmitted to protection devices. This preliminary preparation ensures that only correct and verified parameter sets are written to devices, reducing programming errors and the need for rework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements acknowledgment mechanisms where protection devices confirm successful receipt and application of parameter sets to the control station. This feedback loop ensures reliable parameter updates without requiring multiple retry operations, reducing overall write operations and programming time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4645618A1Method and device for parameterizing protective devices of a power supply network
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 SIEMENS AG
  • EP4645618A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4645618A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4645618A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for parameterizing protective devices (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) of a power supply network (10) to which a plurality of devices (12, 14, 16, 18) are connected, at least one of which receives energy from the power supply network and at least one of which supplies energy to the power supply network, and which has a plurality of switching devices (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) for controlling energy distribution within the power supply network, wherein the switching states of the switching devices at a predetermined time constitute a respective network state of the power supply network, and wherein each protective device uses a network state-specific parameter set for a respective network state of the power supply network in order to implement a desired protective function for this network state by the respective protective device. The invention further relates to a device for carrying out the method.The invention specifically improves the stability and reliability of a power supply network because the protection devices are automatically and adaptively parameterized according to the network state. The invention provides a technique by which parameterization directly adapted to the current network state is automatically performed in the respective protection devices via communication.