Power Distribution Restoration via Fault Isolation and Leader Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power distribution networks face challenges in quickly and efficiently reconfiguring switching devices to redirect power to unpowered sections without overloading sources or causing unnecessary power outages during faults, due to complex coordination requirements and limited computational resources.
Innovation Solution
A power restoration algorithm that determines new leader devices and optimally reconfigures switching devices by performing an exhaustive search to find the most desirable configuration, using depth-first search and breadth-first search algorithms to ensure all feasible solutions are considered, reducing computation time and selecting the highest scoring solution based on load restoration and switching operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing power distribution networks use traditional fault isolation and restoration processes with multiple reclosing attempts and discrete interval counting, then fault detection capability is improved, but the complexity of coordination between switching devices increases and computation time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication network as an intermediary that enables direct information exchange between switching devices. This mediator allows devices to share fault information, operational status, and restoration commands in real-time, eliminating the need for complex centralized coordination and reducing computational burden on individual devices while maintaining reliable fault detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the power distribution network into independently controllable segments managed by individual switching devices. Each device autonomously monitors its local section and can independently execute restoration operations based on communicated information from neighboring devices, reducing overall system coordination complexity while maintaining detection reliability
2Productivity
If power distribution networks perform exhaustive search to find optimal restoration configuration, then restoration efficiency is improved, but computation time and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes communication protocols and data exchange formats between switching devices before faults occur. Network topology information and device capabilities are pre-shared and stored in accessible memory locations, allowing immediate execution of restoration algorithms without time-consuming data gathering during actual restoration events
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic restoration approach where the search algorithm adapts its depth and scope based on real-time network conditions, fault location information, and available computational resources. The algorithm can dynamically adjust between exhaustive search in critical sections and heuristic approximation in less critical areas, optimizing the balance between restoration efficiency and computation time
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling an operation of devices in a power distribution network. The method determines that there is a power loss in the network as a result of a fault and one or more teams is not receiving power and performs a switching process in switching devices to prevent fault current from flowing to the fault. The method initiates a power restoration process to control the open and closed status of switching devices to isolate the fault and performs the power restoration process by the leader device in a division that the fault is occurring that includes opening and closing switching devices so that power is provided to all of the teams except the team that the fault is in. The method reconfigures the divisions based on which switching devices are now open and selects new leader devices based on the reconfiguration of the divisions.