Multi-terminal DC Network Controller Algorithm
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-terminal DC electrical networks face challenges in efficiently controlling power flow and maintaining power balance due to complex interconnections and high numbers of terminals and converters, which existing technologies struggle to manage effectively.
Innovation Solution
A multi-terminal DC electrical network with a controller using an algorithm to compute no-load DC voltage and power orders for designated converters based on operating modes, default electrical characteristics, and electrical measurements, optimizing power flow and balancing power across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multi-terminal DC electrical networks use complex interconnections with high numbers of terminals and converters to enable geographically dispersed renewable energy integration, then power transmission capability and network flexibility are improved, but control complexity and computational burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into a centralized solver that handles global optimization and local controllers at each converter station. The solver computes reference values (power orders, voltage orders, current orders) that are then sent to individual converters, dividing the complex control task into manageable segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The solver acts as an intermediary between the complex multi-terminal network and individual converters. It processes electrical measurements from the network, computes optimal control references using an algorithm, and sends these references to converters, simplifying the control architecture.
2Ease of operation
If existing control technologies are applied to multi-terminal DC networks, then implementation is straightforward, but they struggle to manage power flow control and power balance effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The solver continuously receives electrical measurements (voltages and currents) from the DC network, processes these feedback signals, and dynamically adjusts power orders and voltage orders for converters to maintain power balance and optimize power flow control.
3Productivity
If traditional algorithms are used to compute control parameters for multiple converters, then computational methods are simple, but they cannot optimize power flow and maintain power balance effectively across the network
Solution Approach 1:
The algorithm dynamically changes control parameters (power orders, voltage orders, current orders) based on real-time electrical measurements and network conditions, enabling optimization of power flow and power balance across the multi-terminal DC network.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-terminal DC electrical network comprises a plurality of DC terminals, each DC terminal operatively connected to at least one other DC terminal via a respective DC power transmission medium; a plurality of converters, each converter being operatively connected to a respective one of the DC terminals, the plurality of converters including at least one designated converter; and a controller including a solver configured to use an algorithm to process a plurality of values to compute a no-load DC voltage for a first designated converter as a function of the plurality of values. The plurality of values include a first value defining an operating mode of each designated converter; a second value defining a default electrical characteristic of the multi-terminal DC electrical network or a computation parameter of the algorithm; and a third value defining an electrical measurement corresponding to a voltage or current in the multi-terminal DC electrical network.