Distribution Network Asset Placement for Voltage and Reactive Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in electrical power distribution systems is the optimal placement and sizing of multiple distributed energy resources (DERs) to ensure robust operation, particularly with increasing renewable generation sources and electric vehicle chargers, which often results in sub-optimal voltage profiles and increased reactive power circulation, necessitating larger investments and inefficient asset management.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a placement generation engine, power flow optimization engine, and simulation engine to determine optimal placement and sizing of assets in a distribution network, considering asset-installation constraints, and iteratively adjusting parameters to achieve robust operation across varying load and generation scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple distributed energy resources are added to meet increasing load requirements, then the energy supply capability is improved, but voltage regulation deteriorates and reactive power circulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing optimal control parameters for controllers (such as DVRs, D-STATCOMs, and OLTC) before actual power flow conditions occur. The offline power flow optimization engine computes control settings for various scenarios in advance, and these pre-computed parameters are then quickly retrieved and applied during real-time operation, enabling rapid response to voltage regulation needs without complex real-time calculations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary devices such as Dynamic Voltage Restorers (DVRs), Distributed STATCOMs (D-STATCOMs), and On-Load Tap Changers (OLTCs) that act as mediators between the DERs and the distribution network. These intermediary controllers actively regulate voltage and manage reactive power flow, isolating the negative effects of DER integration from the grid while maintaining stable voltage profiles even with high DER penetration
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional sequential asset placement methods are used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but optimization effectiveness deteriorates due to inability to handle multiple assets simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex optimization problem into two distinct parts: an offline power flow optimization phase that handles comprehensive multi-asset placement calculations, and an online control execution phase that implements the pre-determined solutions. This segmentation allows the computationally intensive optimization to be performed once offline, while runtime operations remain simple and efficient, effectively dividing the complexity management between planning and execution stages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary optimization calculations offline before actual asset deployment and operation. The offline power flow optimization engine pre-computes optimal asset placements, sizes, and control parameters for multiple scenarios, storing these results for rapid retrieval during operation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time optimization, maintaining implementation simplicity while achieving high optimization effectiveness
3Productivity
If assets are placed without optimal sizing and placement, then deployment speed is maintained, but investment efficiency deteriorates due to sub-optimal voltage profiles and increased reactive power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary optimization of asset sizing and placement offline before deployment, using power flow optimization to determine the optimal configuration that minimizes reactive power circulation and voltage deviations. By pre-calculating these optimal parameters, the system achieves both rapid deployment (since assets are pre-configured) and high investment efficiency (since the placement is optimized), eliminating the trade-off between speed and effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters simultaneously including asset placement locations, asset sizes, and controller settings through the offline power flow optimization engine. This comprehensive parameter optimization ensures that assets are not only placed quickly but also configured to operate at optimal points, minimizing reactive power circulation and maximizing investment efficiency across all controlled variables
Data Source
AI summary
A method for adding assets to a distribution network includes using a placement generation engine to generate discrete placements of assets to be added to the distribution network subject to asset-installation constraint(s). Each placement is defined by a mapping of an asset, from multiple assets of different sizes, to a placement location defined by a node or branch of the distribution network. Each placement is used to update an operational circuit model of the distribution network for tuning control parameters of one or more controllers of the distribution network for robust operation over a range of load and/or generation scenarios. A cost function is evaluated for each placement based on a simulated operation. Parameters of the placement generation engine are iteratively adjusted based on the evaluated cost functions to arrive at an optimal placement and sizing of assets to be added to the distribution network.