Dynamic Programming Phase Balancing for Three-Phase Feeders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric power distribution systems face challenges in maintaining phase balance, leading to inefficiencies, unnecessary outages, and increased costs due to unbalanced load distribution across three-phase feeders, with existing algorithms failing to consistently provide optimal solutions for phase balancing.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic programming algorithm is employed to analyze feeder topology and customer load data, recommending phase assignments that minimize load imbalance by optimizing tap changes across multiple sections of the feeder, ensuring balanced current distribution and reducing the need for frequent rebalancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phase balancing is performed using conventional methods (feeder reconfiguration or phase swapping), then load balance is improved, but operational costs and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated phase balancing through dynamic programming algorithms that automatically analyze load data, determine optimal tap changes, and execute rebalancing operations without requiring manual crew intervention, making the system self-managing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (crew-based load switching) with automated computational algorithms (dynamic programming) that calculate optimal phase assignments and control strategies, substituting human labor with intelligent software systems
2Reliability
If frequent tap changes are made to maintain phase balance, then load balance is maintained, but system complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of load patterns and predicts future imbalance conditions, allowing proactive tap changes to be made before severe unbalance occurs, reducing the frequency and complexity of corrective actions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes dynamic programming to optimize discrete tap position parameters, selecting from a finite set of predefined tap positions to achieve phase balance with minimal changes, thereby simplifying the control strategy
3Reliability
If complete load switching is performed for phase rebalancing, then phase balance is restored, but customer power interruption time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the feeder into multiple sections with independent tap changers, allowing localized phase balancing operations that affect only specific segments rather than requiring complete system-wide load switching, thereby minimizing customer interruption
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial rebalancing by adjusting tap positions to achieve acceptable phase balance within predefined thresholds, rather than attempting complete balance that would require extensive load switching, thus reducing operational disruption
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an apparatus and method for load-balancing of a three-phase electric power distribution system having a multi-phase feeder, including obtaining topology information of the feeder identifying supply points for customer loads and feeder sections between the supply points, obtaining customer information that includes peak customer load at each of the points between each of the feeder sections, performing a phase balancing analysis, and recommending phase assignment at the customer load supply points.