Load Shedding Control for Microgrid Fracturing Power Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fracturing operations face challenges with diesel-powered systems, including environmental hazards, safety concerns, and inefficiencies, while electric systems are prone to sudden blackouts due to generator failures, leading to proppant dropout and extended downtime.
Innovation Solution
A load shedding control system that monitors generators and deactivates electric load components to manage power distribution, prioritizing equipment shutdown to prevent blackouts and maintain fluid circulation, utilizing natural gas or diesel generators, and integrating with a power grid for stable power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If electric motors connected to turbine generators are used to power fracturing equipment, then environmental safety and operational costs are improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to sudden generator failures causing blackouts
Solution Approach 1:
The control system pre-establishes a hierarchy of load priorities before generator failure occurs. When failure is detected, the system automatically sheds non-critical loads in a predetermined sequence to maintain critical fluid circulation, preventing proppant dropout without requiring human intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors generator operational status and automatically responds to failure conditions by detecting changes in power availability and triggering load shedding sequences, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that maintains system reliability
2Device complexity
If manual load shedding by human operators is implemented, then equipment complexity is reduced, but response time increases causing blackouts and proppant dropout
Solution Approach 1:
The control system autonomously monitors generator status and executes load shedding decisions without human intervention. The system self-manages the complex sequence of equipment shutdowns, prioritizing fluid circulation while eliminating the response time delay inherent in manual operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators to detect generator failure and execute load shedding sequences, substituting human operator actions with automated electronic control mechanisms
3Power
If multiple turbine generators are deployed to meet power demand, then power availability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system divides the total electrical load into segmented priority levels, allowing multiple generators to operate efficiently by distributing loads according to priority hierarchies. This segmentation enables optimized generator sizing and operation while maintaining system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The control system provides multiple functions including load monitoring, failure detection, priority-based load shedding, and coordination of multiple generators, creating a universal control platform that manages complex multi-generator systems without proportionally increasing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A system for completing a well, including a generator, and a plurality of electric load components, each electric load component powered by the generator. The system further includes a load shedding control panel that monitors the generator and, if the generator loses functionality, is capable of deactivating one or more of the plurality of electric load components to reduce the electric load.