Peer-to-Peer Power Compensation Architecture for Grid Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The power grid stability is compromised by voltage sags and brownouts, primarily due to inadequate management of varying power demands, with existing systems struggling to effectively integrate and manage diverse power sources, leading to frequent outages and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A peer-to-peer power compensation architecture using a 'ring-pathed' power transmission supply line with injected sinusoidal signals and controllable power hubs, where the characteristics of the signals are adjusted based on voltage levels and power factors to compensate for under-voltage conditions, and a predictive digital filter is used to reduce noise and harmonics, allowing for adaptive control and efficient power sharing among distributed assets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized master controller is used to manage power distribution, then power management coordination is improved, but system complexity and single point of failure risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized control function into distributed control units at each power source and load. Each unit independently monitors local conditions and communicates with peers through the ring bus, eliminating the need for a single master controller while maintaining coordinated power management across the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each power source and load is equipped with autonomous control capability that enables it to self-regulate power flow based on local measurements and ring bus communication. The system allows distributed agents to make local decisions without constant central coordination, reducing control complexity while maintaining system reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional power distribution management is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but ability to handle varying power demands and integrate diverse power sources deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ring bus communication protocol and control architecture are designed to be universally compatible with multiple types of power sources (renewable, conventional, storage) and load types. The same distributed control mechanism handles diverse power sources and varying demands without requiring source-specific management systems, enhancing adaptability while keeping the management approach consistent.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts power flow distribution based on real-time conditions at each node. Control parameters such as impedance emulation and power sharing ratios are continuously modified in response to changing power source availability, load demands, and grid conditions, enabling the system to adapt to varying power demands and integrate diverse sources effectively.
3Reliability
If power compensation is not provided timely, then system simplicity is maintained, but voltage sags and brownouts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors voltage levels and power flow conditions in real-time through the distributed control units. When voltage sags or instability conditions are detected, compensation actions are immediately initiated by nearby power sources with available capacity, providing timely support before brownouts occur. The ring bus enables rapid communication of disturbance signals and coordination of compensation responses.
Data Source
AI summary
A peer-to-peer power compensation architecture for utility power systems has a “ring-pathed” power transmission supply line with legs connecting a utility power source to a utility customer load, to a secondary power source, and to the utility customer load. A sinusoidal signal is injected on the first and third legs, with a predetermined amplitude, frequency and phase characteristics, wherein at least one of the characteristics being varied as function of a voltage level and a power factor of supplied power from the respective leg. A controllable power hub with an inverter is coupled to at least the first leg and the third leg, the inverter having at least one DC or AC-based power source. The injected signal's characteristics from the respective leg are evaluated to determine if the power hub's power should be introduced to the leg to compensate for under-voltage conditions.