Hierarchical Control for Low Voltage Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for regulating low and medium-voltage networks face challenges in managing large data volumes and computing power, leading to a significant reduction in data exchange, which results in unused regulatory potential and potential losses during control unit failures.
Innovation Solution
A method where at least two sub-networks of a main network are assigned a lower control unit, with an upper control unit evaluating the main network state and issuing change commands to selected lower control units, distributing control effort decentralization, allowing comprehensive control of low and medium-voltage networks without sacrificing smaller network participant control potential.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control is extended to medium-voltage networks with comprehensive data collection, then control potential and regulatory capability are improved, but data volume and computing power requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels (upper control unit for medium-voltage network, lower control units for low-voltage networks). Each level processes data locally and only exchanges essential summarized information with higher levels, reducing overall data volume while maintaining comprehensive control capability across the entire network hierarchy.
Solution Approach 2:
Lower control units act as intermediaries between individual actuators/sensors and the upper control unit. They aggregate and summarize data from multiple low-voltage network participants before transmission to the upper control unit, reducing the data burden on the medium-voltage network control while preserving detailed control potential at the distribution level.
2Measurement precision
If all network participants are monitored and controlled individually, then regulatory precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into hierarchical levels with specialized functions. Lower control units handle individual participant monitoring and control at the network edge, while the upper control unit focuses on overall medium-voltage network regulation. This segmentation maintains precise individual control without requiring a single complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
Lower control units autonomously manage their respective low-voltage networks, making local control decisions and regulating their network participants independently. This self-service capability at the distribution level eliminates the need for complex centralized control of every individual participant, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining regulatory precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If centralized control is used for medium-voltage networks, then control coordination is improved, but reliability decreases due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The control function is segmented across multiple independent control units distributed at different hierarchical levels. The upper control unit coordinates medium-voltage network control, while lower control units independently manage low-voltage networks. This segmentation creates redundancy, so if one control unit fails, others can continue operating, maintaining both coordination and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the control system have specialized local capabilities. Lower control units possess local intelligence to autonomously regulate their respective low-voltage networks without requiring constant upper control unit intervention. This local quality ensures continued operation and maintains control coordination even when upper control communication is disrupted, improving overall system reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a method for controlling low- and medium-voltage networks, at least two subnetworks (1) of a main network (2) are each assigned at least one lower control unit (3). An upper control unit (4) is assigned to the main network (2), which is a medium- or low-voltage network. The subnetworks (1) are low-voltage networks or low-voltage network sections. The lower control units (3) are each connected to a plurality of lower actuators (5), which can change the state of the respective subnetwork (1). The lower control units (3) aggregate data from their respective lower actuators (5), and this aggregated data is transmitted from the lower control units (3) to the upper control unit (4).