Reconfigurable Power Grid Emulator Matrix for Stable High-Fidelity Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical power system emulators face challenges with scalability, flexibility, model fidelity, and numerical stability, particularly in digital simulations and hardware-based platforms.

Innovation Solution

A software configurable and scalable power electronics converter-based electric power system emulation platform with a matrix structure, utilizing AC/AC and DC/AC converter circuits to emulate various electrical power systems, including transmission lines, transformers, sources, and loads, organized in modular and rack/chassis arrangements for easy scalability and accurate emulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If digital simulators are used for power system emulation, then cost is reduced and reconfigurability is improved, but numerical stability and convergence issues arise and model fidelity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidnumerical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces digital computational systems with an analog hardware-based emulation platform using operational amplifiers and electronic components to simulate power system behavior. This substitution eliminates numerical stability and convergence issues inherent in digital simulations while maintaining reconfigurability through electronic switching and modular circuit design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces operational amplifiers as intermediary components that bridge the gap between digital control signals and analog power system emulation. These op-amps serve as mediators to achieve high-fidelity analog simulation while maintaining the reconfigurability benefits of digital control interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If analog hardware-based emulators are used, then realism is improved and actual communication and sensors are enabled, but device size increases and flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverealismVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the analog emulation system into modular functional blocks (e.g., separate operational amplifier circuits for different power system components) that can be independently configured and recombined. This segmentation enables flexibility in reconfiguring the emulation topology while maintaining the realism benefits of analog hardware implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic reconfigurability through electronic switching mechanisms and variable parameter circuits that allow the analog hardware emulator to adapt its topology and characteristics in real-time, providing flexibility comparable to digital systems while maintaining analog realism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If mixed digital-analog signal emulators are used, then flexibility is improved, but model fidelity issues arise especially with unscalable line emulation method

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidmodel fidelity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the hybrid digital-analog architecture with a fully analog hardware-based emulation system using operational amplifiers. This pure analog implementation eliminates the model fidelity issues and scaling limitations inherent in mixed-signal approaches while maintaining flexibility through electronic reconfiguration capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Provides greater test fidelity, accurate emulation results, and easier system topology configuration, addressing scalability and flexibility issues while minimizing numerical stability and convergence problems.

Implementation Method 1

The transmission path emulator circuits may include respective power electronics converter circuits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS12586992B2Scalable reconfigurable apparatus and methods for electric power system emulation

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE RESEARCH FOUNDATION

AI summary

An electric power system emulator apparatus includes a plurality of nodes arrayed in first and second dimensions and a plurality of transmission path emulator circuits, respective ones of which are configured to be connected between adjacent ones of the nodes in the first and second dimensions. The apparatus further includes a control circuit configured to control the transmission path emulator circuits to emulate transmission paths of an electric power system. The control circuit may be configured to control the transmission path emulator circuits to emulate transmission lines and/or transformers. The transmission path emulator circuits may include respective power electronics converter circuits. The apparatus may further include source/load emulator circuits configured to be coupled to the nodes.