Configurable Communication Interface for Microgrid Protocol Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) into power grids creates complex communication and control challenges due to incompatibility with standard-based communication protocols, leading to increased installation complexity, slowed data transfer, and reduced responsiveness to faults and grid conditions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a configurable extended communication interface device that maps data between various communication protocols, enabling standard-based peer-to-peer communication and simplifying data exchange between DER controllers and microgrid devices, using data mapping logic and standard communication protocols like IEC 61850 to facilitate real-time data transfer and enhance grid responsiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication protocols are used to communicate within a power system, then compatibility with different DER devices is improved, but data exchange speed and system responsiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a standardized communication interface that acts as an intermediary between DER devices using different protocols and the centralized controller. This interface translates various proprietary protocols into a standard protocol, enabling compatible communication without requiring multiple protocol stacks. The intermediary converts data from different source protocols into a unified standard format, resolving the contradiction by maintaining protocol compatibility while ensuring fast data exchange through a single standardized pathway.
2Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary communication protocols are used by DER controllers, then device-specific communication requirements are met, but integration complexity with centralized controllers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into two distinct layers: a lower layer that handles device-specific proprietary protocols at the DER controller level, and an upper layer that uses a standardized protocol for communication with the centralized controller. The segmentation isolates protocol-specific complexity to individual DER devices while presenting a unified standard interface to the central controller, thereby reducing overall integration complexity while maintaining support for diverse device protocols.
3Adaptability or versatility
If time-consuming configuration is performed for DERs to communicate with other devices, then communication compatibility is achieved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service configuration capabilities where the standardized communication interface automatically detects the proprietary protocol being used by a DER device and configures itself to translate that protocol into the standard format. The system performs automatic protocol identification, parameter detection, and translation rule generation without requiring manual configuration by installers. This self-configuration approach maintains full protocol compatibility while eliminating time-consuming manual setup procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a configurable extended interface device are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is an interface device for coupling a power system device of a microgrid with a microgrid controller utilizing a data communication standard incompatible with the power system device, the interface device comprising three input ports configured to receive input from a power system device; a microgrid interface configured to provide output formatted according to any of a plurality of communication protocols, each being compatible with the data communication standard and configured to receive input defining microgrid configuration characteristics; data mapping logic structured to convert any of the input to output formatted according to any of the plurality of communication protocols; and parsing logic configured to parse the received input defining microgrid configuration characteristics effective to cause the data mapping logic to perform mapping of the received input to one of the plurality of communication protocols.