DC Interconnection for MVAC Feeder Fault Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medium voltage alternating current (MVAC) distribution networks face challenges in reconfiguring feeder lines after a fault, leading to potential overloads in newly connected lines and increased network downtime, as they often fail to utilize power from multiple connected feeder lines effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a centralized control system with DC interconnection systems and tie switching devices allows for the isolation of faults, reconnection of healthy feeder line portions to other lines, and coordinated power management to prevent overloads by using AC/DC power converters and AC/AC power converters to balance power flow and minimize losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fault in a feeder line is isolated by disconnecting the healthy portion from all power sources, then the fault is successfully isolated, but the healthy portion experiences network downtime and potential overload when reconnected to a single feeder line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple feeder lines through a DC microgrid interconnection system, allowing the healthy portion to simultaneously receive power from multiple sources (original feeder line and adjacent feeder lines) after fault isolation. This combining approach prevents overload on any single line and reduces downtime by enabling faster reconnection without worrying about capacity limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The DC microgrid acts as an intermediary system between AC feeder lines. The power converters (AC/DC and DC/AC) serve as mediators that enable bidirectional power flow control, allowing the healthy portion to be connected to multiple feeder lines while maintaining proper power management and preventing overload conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the healthy portion is reconnected to another feeder line using tie switching devices, then network reconfiguration is achieved, but the single newly connected feeder line may experience overload and power transfer ability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts power flow distribution among multiple feeder lines using controllable power converters. The DC microgrid enables real-time control of active and reactive power, allowing the system to adapt to changing load conditions and optimize power transfer capability across the reconfigured network, preventing overload while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The DC microgrid interconnection system provides multiple functions: it enables fault isolation, facilitates reconnection to multiple feeder lines simultaneously, controls power flow distribution, and prevents overload. This multi-functional approach enhances both reconfigurability and power transfer ability without the limitations of traditional single-line reconnection.
3Ease of operation
If conventional distribution networks reconnect to a single feeder line after fault isolation, then reconnection is simple, but the ability to receive power from multiple connected feeder lines is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The DC microgrid serves as an intermediary that simplifies multi-source reconnection. Instead of directly connecting the healthy portion to multiple AC feeder lines (which would be complex), the DC microgrid mediates the connections, handling power conversion and control functions centrally, thereby maintaining operational simplicity while enabling multi-source power reception.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient power transfer, reduces the risk of overloads, and minimizes network downtime by allowing healthy portions of feeder lines to receive power from multiple sources, thereby enhancing the reconfigurability and reliability of MVAC distribution networks.
Implementation Method 1
an AC/DC power converter coupled to the third feeder line and structured to convert AC power from the third feeder line to DC power
Implementation Method 2
a DC/AC power converter coupled to the first feeder line and structured to convert DC power to AC power and output the AC power to the first feeder line
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of feeder line fault response are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a method for operating an alternating current (AC) distribution network including a first feeder line, a second feeder line, and a third feeder line. The method includes isolating a faulted portion of the first feeder line from a healthy portion of the first feeder line; closing a tie switch coupled between the healthy portion and the second feeder line in response to isolating the faulted portion from the healthy portion; determining the second feeder line is experiencing an overload condition after closing the tie switch; and transferring AC power including transferring AC power using a direct current (DC) interconnection system coupled to the third feeder line effective to remove the overload condition from the second feeder line.