Microgrid Control System for Power Resilience
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power systems, particularly in developed areas like the United States, are vulnerable to large-scale outages due to natural disasters and cyber-attacks, with centralized generation systems susceptible to damage and cyber threats, and the integration of distributed energy resources complicates control and resiliency.
Innovation Solution
A power distribution and control system incorporating multiple microgrids with high-level and peer-to-peer communication networks, microgrid controllers, and energy management systems that coordinate power generation and distribution, predict contingency effects, and implement countermeasures to optimize power distribution and resiliency, including autonomous microgrid restoration and cyber-physical threat detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a centralized power generation system is used, then power distribution efficiency is improved, but system vulnerability to outages and cyber-attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized power system into multiple independent microgrids that can operate autonomously. Each microgrid contains local generation resources and can function independently during outages, eliminating the single point of failure vulnerability while maintaining overall system efficiency through coordinated operation during normal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between centralized coordinated operation during normal conditions and decentralized autonomous operation during contingencies. The microgrids can transition between grid-connected and islanded modes, adapting the control architecture to current system conditions to optimize both efficiency and reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple communication networks are implemented for redundancy, then system resiliency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication architecture is segmented into multiple independent networks (first communication network for normal operation, second communication network for contingencies). Each network serves a specific operational mode, reducing the complexity burden on any single network while providing redundancy across networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically activates different communication networks based on operational mode. The first communication network is used during normal centralized operation, while the second communication network is activated during contingencies when the first network is unavailable, reducing overall complexity by not requiring all networks to operate simultaneously at full capacity.
3Reliability
If distributed energy resources are integrated, then system reliability is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each distributed energy resource is grouped into a microgrid with its own local controller that manages resources autonomously. This segmentation reduces control complexity by localizing decision-making to each microgrid while maintaining system-wide reliability through coordinated operation of multiple independent units.
Solution Approach 2:
Each microgrid is equipped with autonomous control capabilities that enable self-management of local generation and load balancing. The microgrids can independently respond to contingencies and maintain operation without requiring complex centralized control, reducing overall system control complexity while improving reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A power distribution and control system for use with a bulk generation system having transmission and distribution systems, the power distribution and control system including a plurality of microgrids each including a power generation element and a load, a plurality of microgrid controllers each associated with one and only one of the plurality of microgrids, and a first communication network. A high-level controller is operable using the first communication network to communicate with the bulk generation system and each of the plurality of microgrid controllers, the high-level controller operable to coordinate the operation of the microgrids during normal system operation. A second communication network is separate from the first communication network, the second communication network providing peer to peer communication between each of the plurality of microgrid controllers when at least one of the high-level controller and the first communication network is not available, and a plurality of third communication networks provide communication between one of the plurality of microgrid controllers and at least one of the power generation element and the load associated with that microgrid controller.