Distributed Voltage Control Using Local Sensitivity Matrices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power network distributed control systems face challenges in responsiveness due to dependency on external data and communication limitations, particularly in handling voltage fluctuations caused by distributed energy resources, and often require prior knowledge of network topology and sensitivities.

Innovation Solution

A distributed voltage control algorithm that allows each zone controller to generate control strategies using only local measurements, approximating the effects of other zones through a recursively updated sensitivity matrix, without requiring inter-zone communication or prior information, enabling faster response to voltage violations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If centralized control systems aggregate large volumes of data from multiple distributed controllers, then comprehensive control strategies can be developed, but responsiveness decreases due to round-trip communication delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol strategy comprehensivenessVSAvoidresponsiveness to voltage fluctuations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized control system into multiple distributed controllers, each responsible for a specific zone. Each controller independently processes local measurements and generates control strategies without waiting for centralized aggregation, thereby improving responsiveness while maintaining comprehensive control through distributed decision-making

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If power network control systems require a priori information about network topology and node sensitivities, then accurate control strategies can be calculated, but device complexity and data requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol strategy accuracyVSAvoiddata aggregation requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables each distributed controller to self-determine control strategies using only locally available measurements. The controllers do not require external provision of network topology or sensitivity information, as they independently calculate the necessary control actions based on local zone conditions, thereby reducing overall system complexity and data aggregation requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4066344B1Distributed voltage control for power networks
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 HITACHI ENERGY LTD
  • EP4066344B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4066344B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4066344B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of power network control are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a power network comprising a plurality of zones (110, 140) each including a plurality of measurement devices (128, 158) structured to measure electrical characteristics of the corresponding zone (110, 140), a zone controller (130, 160) structured to receive measurements from the plurality of measurement devices (128, 158), a distributed energy resource (DER) (115, 116), and a load (112-1 14, 142-144). Each zone controller (130, 160) is structured to receive a set of local measurements from the plurality of measurement devices (128, 158) of the corresponding zone (110, 140), calculate a sensitivity matrix using the received set of local measurements, detenu ine whether a voltage violation has occurred in the con-esponding zone (110, 140), determine a DER set point using the received set of local measurements in response to determining the voltage violation has occurred in the corresponding zone, and transmit the DER set point to the DER (115, 116).