Decentralized Volt/VAR Control for Distribution Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional distributed control schemes in electrical distribution systems effectively maintain voltage within acceptable ranges but fail to optimize active power losses and power factor, leading to suboptimal operational parameters across segments of the system.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized coordinated control approach using a controller with network interface and data processing circuitry that simulates various equipment configurations to optimize voltage and active power losses while keeping power factor within desired ranges, employing Volt/VAR control functions and violation check mechanisms to manage equipment operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distributed control scheme is used to maintain voltage within acceptable ranges, then voltage stability is improved, but active power losses and power factor optimization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
An application platform acts as an intermediary between measurement devices and control equipment. This platform receives measurements from the electrical distribution system, performs simulations of various equipment configurations, and generates control signals to optimize both voltage stability and active power losses simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between these two objectives
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously receives measurements from the electrical distribution system, processes this data through simulations, and adjusts equipment configurations based on the results. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables simultaneous optimization of voltage stability and active power losses by iteratively improving system performance
2Reliability
If distributed control scheme is used to maintain voltage within acceptable ranges, then voltage stability is improved, but power factor optimization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The application platform serves as an intermediary that coordinates control signals to multiple pieces of equipment simultaneously. It processes measurements and generates coordinated control actions that optimize both voltage stability and power factor by managing equipment configurations in a unified manner rather than independently
Solution Approach 2:
The application platform performs multiple functions including receiving measurements, simulating various equipment configurations, evaluating multiple optimization objectives (voltage stability and power factor), and generating control signals. This multi-functional approach enables simultaneous optimization of both voltage stability and power factor
3Loss of energy
If decentralized coordinated control with simulations is implemented, then active power losses are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: measurement reception, simulation processing, control signal generation, and equipment control. This segmentation allows the complex simulation and optimization tasks to be performed in a structured manner, managing complexity through modular design while achieving active power loss reduction
4Productivity
If decentralized coordinated control with simulations is implemented, then operational efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into functional modules for measurement processing, simulation, and control signal generation. This segmentation enables efficient processing of operational data while managing complexity through organized, modular architecture that improves operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs simulations of various equipment configurations to predict outcomes before implementing actual control actions. This virtual copying and testing of configurations allows the system to optimize operational efficiency by selecting the best configuration without trial-and-error in the physical system
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for the decentralized, coordinated control of the voltage and active power losses of an electrical distribution system in light of one another are provided. For example, a controller may include a network interface and data processing circuitry. The network interface may receive first measurements associated with a segment of an electrical distribution system and transmit a control signal configured to control equipment of the segment of the electrical distribution system. The data processing circuitry may run simulations of the segment of the electrical distribution system in various equipment configurations, selecting from among the various configurations one that is expected to cause the voltage deviation and the active power losses of the segment to approach desired values while keeping power factor within a desired range. The data processing circuitry then may generate the control signal, which may cause the equipment of the segment of the electrical distribution system to conform to the equipment configuration.