Photovoltaic Device Detection via Power Profile Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in detecting photovoltaic electricity production devices in electrical distribution networks is that low-power photovoltaic devices are often directly connected to low voltage networks and not reported to network managers, making it difficult to assess and manage variations in electrical load, especially due to the dense and frequently modified nature of LV networks.
Innovation Solution
A method using current sensors to acquire active power profiles, calculate differential profiles, and determine a correlation coefficient with a reference profile for photovoltaic production, allowing for the detection of photovoltaic devices by identifying pairs of profiles with specific characteristics such as equal energy consumption or differing sunshine values, and estimating peak power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If low power photovoltaic devices are directly connected to the low voltage network without reporting, then the network can accommodate more distributed generation, but the network manager cannot easily locate or detect these devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual detection methods with automated signal processing. Current sensors capture electrical signals, and a processor analyzes power profiles to automatically detect photovoltaic devices, substituting human effort with electronic measurement and computational analysis systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection system between the photovoltaic devices and the network manager. This system uses current sensors and processing units to indirectly detect devices through their electrical signatures, serving as a mediator that translates device presence into detectable signals without requiring direct communication from the devices.
2Quantity of substance
If the LV network is dense and frequently modified, then the network can serve more installations, but locating the connection point of photovoltaic devices becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through correlation analysis. The system compares measured power profiles against reference profiles and uses correlation coefficients to provide feedback about device presence and location. This feedback mechanism enables the network manager to identify where photovoltaic devices are connected based on characteristic power signature patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes physical network mapping with electronic profile analysis. Instead of manually tracking network modifications and connection points, the system uses computational analysis of electrical signals to automatically determine device locations, replacing mechanical record-keeping with intelligent signal processing.
3Power
If photovoltaic production varies greatly depending on external environment, then renewable energy generation is enhanced, but accurate detection and management becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing reference power profiles that represent typical photovoltaic production patterns under various environmental conditions. These pre-established references enable the system to accurately detect devices even when current production varies, as the comparison is made against anticipated patterns rather than requiring stable operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by analyzing multiple characteristics of power profiles including active power, reactive power, and correlation coefficients. By monitoring changes in these parameters and comparing them against reference patterns, the system maintains detection accuracy despite environmental variations affecting absolute power levels.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for detecting at least one photovoltaic electricity production device in an electrical distribution network comprising at least one electrical installation and at least one current sensor, each installation comprising at least one electrical device, the method comprising the following steps: i/ acquisition (100), from a current sensor, of a plurality of active power profiles of a corresponding installation ii/ calculation (110), for at least one pair of active power profiles, of a differential profile equal to the difference of the power profiles of said pair; iii/ calculation (120) of a correlation coefficient between the calculated differential profile(s) and a reference profile iv/ detection (130) of the presence of a photovoltaic electricity production device among the electrical device(s) of the installation.