Distribution Network Structure Determination Using Consumption Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical distribution networks, particularly low voltage (LV) networks, are poorly documented and lack efficient methods for determining network structures, leading to challenges in identifying non-technical losses, energy theft, and imbalances, which are critical for maintaining service quality and compliance with regulatory standards.
Innovation Solution
A method for determining the structure of an electricity distribution network using energy consumption data from communicating meters, involving calculation phases with energy conservation hypotheses and least squares optimization to identify consumer connections to feeders or phases, enabling precise identification of losses and imbalances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If numerous measuring devices are deployed at different locations in the network to determine network architecture, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from multiple distributed devices and concentrates it in a single determination device located at the MV/LV substation. This device receives consumption information from all consumers and uses calculation phases to determine network architecture, eliminating the need for numerous measuring devices throughout the network while maintaining determination accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach where consumption information from smart meters serves as the mediator between the network structure and the determination device. Instead of directly measuring physical quantities at multiple points, the system uses intermediary consumption data that can be processed to infer network architecture, reducing the need for direct physical measurement devices.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional documentation methods are used for network structures, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but loss of information occurs as networks evolve over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the network structure determines itself through automated calculation based on consumption data. The determination device automatically processes consumption information from smart meters and calculates network architecture without requiring manual documentation updates, ensuring the information remains current as the network evolves while reducing manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary determination of network structure by continuously processing consumption data to establish and update the network architecture before it becomes obsolete. The system proactively maintains accurate network information through regular calculation phases rather than relying on periodic manual updates, preventing information loss before it occurs.
3Device complexity
If manual methods are used to locate faults and losses in the network, then device complexity is minimized, but productivity and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where consumption information from smart meters continuously feeds into the determination device, which automatically analyzes the data to locate faults and losses. The system uses the consumption data as feedback to identify anomalies, pinpoint fault locations, and quantify losses without manual intervention, significantly improving productivity while maintaining reasonable system complexity through automated algorithms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method determines the structure of an electricity distribution network (1) comprising a substation (2) supplying a set of consumers (5, Ci) via one or more feeders (3, Dj) having one or more phases. It comprises the following steps: - receiving initial electricity consumption data for each consumer in the set, - receiving secondary electricity consumption data for the feeders or phases of each feeder in the substation, - using the initial and secondary data, including a calculation phase, to determine, within the set, subsets of consumers, the consumers in the same subset being supplied by the same given feeder and/or by the same given phase of a given feeder. The device implements this method.