Energy Distribution Network Control Device Wear Assessment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy distribution network operation methods do not effectively balance improvements in operating state with wear and tear on network components, leading to inefficient reconfiguration and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A method where a control device checks if the improvement in the operating state outweighs the wear and tear before performing a change action, using improvement and wear variables to determine the advisability of changes, and only proceeding if the benefits exceed the costs, with consideration for switch-specific wear and relief variables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If change actions are carried out to improve the operating state of the energy distribution network, then the operating state is optimized, but wear and tear on network components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating stateVSAvoidcomponent lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary assessment by calculating both the improvement variable (expected operating state improvement) and wear variable (expected component wear) before executing any change action. This preliminary evaluation allows the system to predict the consequences of reconfiguration actions and only proceed when benefits outweigh costs, thereby optimizing reliability while preserving component lifespan.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the control device continuously monitors the operating state, calculates improvement and wear variables, compares them against predefined thresholds, and adjusts reconfiguration decisions accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that change actions are taken only when they provide net positive value, balancing reliability improvement with component preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If automated reconfiguration is implemented to achieve optimal network configuration quickly, then productivity increases, but wear and tear on switches increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereconfiguration speedVSAvoidswitch wear
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Before automated reconfiguration is executed, the control device performs preliminary calculations of the wear variable for each switch that would be affected by the change action. This preliminary assessment includes identifying all switches that must be operated and summing their individual wear values, allowing the system to predict total switch wear before committing to the reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback control by comparing the calculated wear variable against predefined thresholds and using this information to决定是否 execute the reconfiguration. This feedback mechanism prevents excessive switch operations by blocking change actions where switch wear would be disproportionate to the operating state improvement, thereby maintaining productivity while protecting switch lifespan.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If frequent monitoring and reconfiguration actions are performed to maintain optimal operating state, then reliability is improved, but maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork operationVSAvoidmaintenance costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control device implements continuous feedback monitoring of the operating state and dynamically adjusts reconfiguration decisions based on real-time conditions. By continuously assessing whether change actions would provide net positive value (improvement variable exceeding wear variable), the system maintains optimal reliability while avoiding unnecessary reconfigurations that would increase maintenance costs, thus achieving cost-effective operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2979342B1Energy distribution network and a method for operating same
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 SIEMENS AG
  • EP2979342B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2979342B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2979342B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates, inter alia, to a method for operating an energy distribution network (10) where the energy distribution is monitored by at least one control device. In order to optimise the operating state of said energy distribution network (10), modification actions are implemented with the aim of improving the operating state of said energy distribution network (10). According to the invention, prior to implementing a modification action, the control device verifies whether the amount of improvement in the operating state of the energy distribution network (10) outweighs the amount of wastage from the energy distribution network (10) caused by implementation of the modification action, and only implements said modification action when this is the case.