Power Line Communication Nodes for Grid Asset Distance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
As electric grids become more complex, it becomes costly and difficult to determine the electrical connectivity and health of assets, requiring improved situational awareness and asset management.
Innovation Solution
The use of Mid Voltage (MV) sonar technology with a standards-based, modular communication platform and power line communication technology to continually determine electrical connectivity and monitor asset health, integrating with existing GIS systems for near-real-time asset identification and performance monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electric grids become more complex with diverse geographies, customers, and vendor technologies, then the grid can serve more diverse needs, but data processing and device management become more costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces communication nodes as intermediary devices that are deployed throughout the electric grid to collect, process, and manage data locally. These nodes act as mediators between various grid devices and the central management system, enabling distributed intelligence that reduces the burden on centralized systems while maintaining grid diversity and complexity
2Reliability
If traditional communication methods are used for asset management, then existing infrastructure can be maintained, but real-time monitoring and situational awareness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring through communication nodes that constantly collect and transmit data about grid assets. This continuous data stream enables real-time situational awareness and ongoing asset health assessment, transforming discrete periodic checks into continuous monitoring that maintains reliable asset management while eliminating information gaps
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes feedback loops where communication nodes continuously monitor asset conditions and transmit this information back to management systems. This feedback mechanism enables real-time detection of asset degradation, connectivity changes, and operational anomalies, improving both reliability and situational awareness
3Measurement precision
If extensive monitoring and data collection are implemented, then asset health and connectivity can be determined, but system complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring function into multiple distributed communication nodes throughout the grid, with each node responsible for collecting and processing data from nearby assets. This segmentation distributes the complexity across many simple nodes rather than requiring one complex centralized system, enabling precise local measurements while maintaining overall system manageability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances asset management through Condition-Based Maintenance, reduces Mean-Time-To-Failure, and improves reliability indices, while generating operating cost savings and improving planning and engineering efficiencies.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a first power line communication signal from the communication node to a sensor device that is at or adjacent an electric grid device
Implementation Method 2
determining a distance between the communication node and the electric grid device by measuring an electrical parameter of the second power line communication signal
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of operating a communication node are provided. A method of operating a communication node may include transmitting a first power line communication signal from the communication node to a sensor device that is at or adjacent an electric grid device. The method may include receiving from the sensor device a second power line communication signal that is responsive to the first power line communication signal, at the communication node. Moreover, the method may include determining a distance between the communication node and the electric grid device by measuring an electrical parameter of the second power line communication signal, at the communication node. Related communication nodes are also described.