Digital Twin for Electrical Distribution Apparatus Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of managing power trading systems, particularly for non-experts, leads to exclusion from modern power trading due to technical difficulties, and there is a need for streamlined power distribution to avoid long-distance energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for designing and configuring electrical distribution apparatuses using a digital twin, integrated with a power management platform, allowing non-experts to participate in power trading by generating a digital representation of the electrical distribution apparatus and power managing devices, enabling control and synchronization of power management functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If power managing devices are configured with multiple settings and control functions for power trading, then power management capability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration actions by automatically generating a digital twin of the electrical distribution apparatus and pre-configuring power managing devices with default settings. This allows the physical device to be set up in advance without requiring users to manually configure multiple parameters, thus maintaining power management capability while reducing configuration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital twin (virtual copy) of the electrical distribution apparatus that mirrors the physical system's configuration and parameters. Users can manage power trading settings through this digital replica, which simplifies the user interface and reduces the complexity of directly configuring the physical power managing devices while maintaining full adaptability.
2Manufacturing precision
If power managing devices require expert knowledge for setup and configuration, then power management precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service configuration through automated processes that generate digital twins and pre-configure power managing devices without requiring expert intervention. The digital twin automatically captures and replicates the correct configuration parameters, allowing non-experts to set up power trading systems while maintaining precision through automated validation and synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital twin acts as an intermediary between the user and the physical power managing device. It provides a simplified interface for non-expert users while maintaining the precision required for power management by automatically translating user-friendly inputs into technically accurate configurations and synchronizing them with the physical device.
3Area of stationary object
If power is transmitted over long distances, then power distribution coverage is improved, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power distribution system into multiple local microgrids, each with its own electrical distribution apparatus and power managing devices. This allows power to be generated and consumed locally within each segment, reducing the need for long-distance transmission while maintaining broad overall coverage through the network of segmented microgrids.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a spatial dimension to power trading by enabling local power generation and consumption within distributed microgrids. Instead of relying on centralized power plants transmitting energy over long distances, the system creates multiple localized power exchange points, effectively transforming the power distribution architecture from a single-source radial network to a distributed mesh network.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method of designing and configuring an electrical distribution apparatus (1) for installation in a facility, wherein a set of electrical devices (3) for inclusion in the electrical distribution apparatus (1) is determined. At least one of the electrical devices (2) is a power managing device (2a) for controlling a flow of electrical energy via the electrical distribution apparatus (1). Further on, a mounting arrangement for mounting the set of electrical devices (3) within the enclosure (5) is generated and a digital twin (2a') of the configuration of the electrical distribution apparatus (1) and/or the at least one power managing device (2a) is generated or caused to be generated in a power management platform (164). Moreover, a design and configuration system (100) and a power management platform (164) are disclosed to execute the proposed method and to run the digital twin (2a').