Power Grid Disturbance Location via Frequency Response Triangulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power grid analysis systems lack the capability to accurately detect and locate dynamic frequency disturbances in real-time, especially during severe blackout events, due to limitations in wide-area measurement coverage and data availability.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising frequency disturbance recorders (FDRs) synchronized via GPS, connected through a communications network, and an information management system that applies advanced algorithms like least squares analysis, Newton's method, and gradient search to triangulate the location of disturbances based on frequency changes across the grid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If static frequency measurements with long-period data averaging are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the system cannot capture dynamic frequency changes during disturbances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency measurement accuracyVSAvoidcapability to detect dynamic disturbances
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static frequency measurement to dynamic frequency measurement by implementing real-time frequency monitoring at multiple locations. The Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) continuously track frequency variations during disturbances, enabling the system to adapt to changing conditions and capture dynamic behavior that static measurements would miss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds the spatial dimension to frequency measurement by deploying multiple measurement devices at different locations across the power system. This transforms a single-point static measurement into a multi-point dynamic measurement system, enabling the detection and localization of disturbances through spatial-temporal frequency variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If wide-area measurement coverage is increased to detect disturbances, then disturbance detection capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisturbance detection capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) serve multiple functions: they measure frequency, locate disturbances, provide synchronization data, and support system monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while achieving wide-area measurement coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses GPS synchronization as an intermediary mechanism to coordinate multiple measurement devices across the wide area. This common time reference enables the integration of data from distributed PMUs without requiring complex peer-to-peer communication protocols, thereby managing system complexity while achieving wide coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If multiple frequency disturbance recorders are deployed at dispersed points, then disturbance location accuracy is improved, but data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisturbance location accuracyVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the information management system continuously receives data from multiple FDRs, processes the frequency variations, and uses iterative algorithms to refine disturbance location estimates. This feedback loop enables accurate localization while managing data processing complexity through systematic analysis methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex manual analysis methods with automated computational algorithms, including least squares analysis and Newton's method. These mathematical approaches systematically process data from multiple FDRs to determine disturbance locations, reducing the complexity of data processing compared to manual or heuristic methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If real-time frequency data is collected during disturbances, then system stability monitoring is improved, but data transmission and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stability monitoringVSAvoiddata transmission power
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the critical frequency data needed for disturbance detection and location from the overall power system measurements. By focusing on frequency variations rather than transmitting all possible system parameters, the data transmission requirements are reduced while maintaining effective real-time monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables accurate, real-time detection and localization of disturbances such as generator trips and load rejections, improving power system stability and reducing the risk of cascading failures by providing high dynamic accuracy and wide-area frequency measurement.

Implementation Method 1

All FDRs may be synched to remaining FDRs through communication with Global Positioning System satellites or Internet time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGlobal Positioning System time synchronization:

Data Source

PatentEP1969692B1Location determination of power system disturbances based on frequency responses of the system
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES INC
  • EP1969692B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(a)
  • EP1969692B1 patent drawingFigure 2(b)~4
  • EP1969692B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A system for detecting and locauong a disturbance event within a power gπd includes a seπes of frequency disturbance recorders (FDRs) taking measurements in the power gπd at dispersed points of the power gπd, an information management system, configured to receive data from the seπes of FDRs and analyze the received data and a communications network interconnecting the seπes of FDRs and the information management system The information management system is configured to examine orders (1, 2, 5, 6) and patterns of receipt of frequency changes at the FDRs in the data caused by the disturbance event and to trangulate a location of the disturbance event based on the orders and patterns of receipt of the frequency changes.