Local Control Device for Autonomous Low-Voltage Network Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-voltage electrical energy supply networks lack automation, making it difficult to manage decentralized generating plants, storage devices, and electric vehicles, leading to voltage fluctuations and communication outages that disrupt the reliability of system services.
Innovation Solution
A method using a local control device with a self-learning system, such as an artificial neural network, to monitor and control devices in the distribution network, allowing for autonomous operation and estimation of control data even in communication faults, ensuring system services are provided by transmitting control commands via local communication methods like Power Line Communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If decentralized control with self-learning systems is implemented in low-voltage networks, then reliability of system services is improved during communication failures, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into hierarchical levels: central network control system for high-voltage and medium-voltage networks, and decentralized local control devices for low-voltage networks. Each segment operates autonomously within its domain, with the local control device capable of independent decision-making during communication failures, thus improving reliability while distributing complexity across multiple manageable units rather than concentrating it in a single complex system
Solution Approach 2:
The local control device is equipped with self-learning capabilities through artificial neural networks that enable it to autonomously estimate network state and determine appropriate control measures without continuous central guidance. The device serves itself by automatically adapting to changing conditions, learning from historical data, and making independent control decisions, thereby reducing dependence on central control infrastructure and maintaining service reliability during communication outages
2Ease of operation
If automation systems are deployed in low-voltage networks to manage decentralized plants, then control capability is improved, but loss of information increases due to communication outages
Solution Approach 1:
The local control device is pre-equipped with artificial neural networks and estimation algorithms that enable it to independently determine network state and control measures without real-time central control data. The device performs preliminary configuration with the neural network architecture and initial parameters, allowing it to function autonomously when communication is available and to maintain control capability when communication fails, thus preventing information loss during outages
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the local control device monitors network parameters, compares them against learned patterns from the neural network, and adjusts control measures accordingly. Historical measurement data is continuously fed back to the neural network for ongoing learning and adaptation, ensuring the device maintains accurate control capability even when disconnected from central control, thereby eliminating information loss during communication failures
Data Source
AI summary
For providing system services reliably for an energy supply network, measured values indicating an electrical state of the supply network and/or of a distribution network are recorded. A deviation of the operational state of the supply network from a required operational state is determined and control measures are defined for restoring the required operational state. Control data which indicate a part of the control measures to be carried out by devices of the distribution network are transmitted to the control device, and control commands are determined for the devices of the distribution network with which the devices are controlled such that the distribution network carries out the required control measures. Estimated control data are defined and the communication connection to a network controller is monitored. In the event of a fault in the communication connection, the control commands are defined using the estimated control data instead of the control data.