Power Management System for Offshore Power Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power distribution systems face challenges in maintaining robust and reliable electrical power transmission over long distances, especially in harsh environments like deserts, jungles, or oceans, requiring significant financial investment and infrastructure for transformer maintenance and voltage regulation.
Innovation Solution
A Power Management System (PMS) is implemented, using variable shunt reactors at both ends of long-distance submarine cables to compensate for line capacitance and maintain voltage within acceptable limits, eliminating the need for transformers along the distance and ensuring continuous power supply through redundant control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional power distribution schemes with transformers are used for long-distance power transmission, then voltage regulation is maintained, but infrastructure cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes transformers from the intermediate locations along the power transmission path, keeping only power stations at the ends. The reactive power compensation function previously performed by transformers is extracted and implemented instead by variable shunt reactors controlled by PMS, simplifying the overall infrastructure while maintaining voltage regulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the power transmission system by using variable shunt reactors with adjustable reactance values. The PMS dynamically controls the reactance to compensate for line capacitance effects, enabling voltage regulation without intermediate transformers through parameter adjustment rather than fixed infrastructure.
2Reliability
If transformers are installed along the transmission distance for voltage maintenance, then power distribution reliability is improved, but financial investment and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for intermediate transformers along the transmission path. The voltage maintenance function is extracted from physical transformer installations and implemented through controlled reactive power compensation using variable shunt reactors, significantly reducing infrastructure investment and maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical transformer system with a control-based system using variable shunt reactors and PMS. This substitution eliminates heavy infrastructure while achieving the same voltage maintenance function through electronic control of reactive power, reducing both investment and operational expenses.
3Manufacturing precision
If variable shunt reactors are used to compensate for line capacitance, then voltage control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PMS performs multiple functions: it controls variable shunt reactors for reactive power compensation, monitors system parameters, and maintains voltage within acceptable limits. This multi-functionality consolidates control complexity into a single system while achieving precise voltage control, offsetting the added device complexity with operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The PMS implements feedback control by continuously monitoring system parameters and adjusting the variable shunt reactor reactance accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables precise voltage control through dynamic adjustment, where the control system learns and adapts to maintain optimal performance despite the increased device complexity.
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
The PMS dynamically maintains electrical parameters, preventing overvoltage and ensuring reliable power distribution without downtime, reducing operational costs and personnel requirements compared to traditional schemes.
Implementation Method 1
variable shunt reactors at both ends of long-distance submarine cables to compensate for line capacitance and maintain voltage within acceptable limits
Data Source
AI summary
A distribution system may include at least one Power Management System (PMS) that controls electrical power distributed transmitted by the distribution system. The system may include a first power station located at an onshore platform. The first power station may include an onshore terminal that distributes electric power to the first power station and to at least one onshore load. The first power station may include various onshore reactors that monitor inbound reactive power received from the onshore terminal or that monitor outbound reactive power sent to a remote location. The system may include a second power station located at an offshore platform which is located at the remote location. The second power station may include an offshore terminal that receives electric power from the first power station and that delivers electric power to at least one offshore load.