Power Plant Cloud-Edge Control Architecture for Secure Intelligent Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power plant architectures, particularly those based on distributed control systems (DCS) and supervisory information systems (SIS), fail to meet the needs of smart power plant construction due to high maintenance costs, long development cycles, technical barriers, and inability to integrate with intelligent control technologies, leading to resource waste and security risks.
Innovation Solution
A power plant cloud edge vertical architecture system is introduced, comprising an inter-plant cloud platform, intelligent control platforms, and plant-side edge cloud platforms, interconnected via isolation devices and a private power network, enabling safe and reliable collaboration and data distribution for intelligent control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional distributed control systems (DCS) and supervisory information systems (SIS) are used, then power plant operation control is maintained, but maintenance costs increase and development cycles lengthen
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the power plant control architecture into multiple independent layers: field device layer, edge computing layer, platform layer, and application layer. Each layer operates independently with defined interfaces, allowing parallel development and deployment without affecting the entire system. This segmentation enables faster development cycles while maintaining operational reliability through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an edge computing platform as an intermediary between traditional DCS systems and new intelligent applications. This intermediary layer provides standardized interfaces and protocols, enabling integration of AI, big data, and other smart technologies without directly modifying the core DCS architecture, thus maintaining reliability while accelerating development.
2Ease of operation
If traditional DCS and SIS architectures are implemented, then basic control functions are provided, but technical barriers increase and integration with intelligent control technologies becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The edge computing platform is designed with universal interfaces and standardized protocols that support multiple intelligent control technologies (AI, big data,物联网) simultaneously. The platform provides multi-functional capabilities including data collection, processing, storage, and application deployment, enabling easy integration of various smart technologies while maintaining basic control functions through backward compatibility with DCS systems.
3Power
If common mainstream platforms for cloud computing are applied in the power generation field, then computational capabilities are enhanced, but security risks increase and resource waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deploys edge computing nodes at local power plant sites rather than relying on centralized cloud platforms. Each edge node processes data locally with enhanced computational capabilities, reducing the need for data transmission and improving security by keeping sensitive plant data on-premises. This local quality approach provides both enhanced power and improved security simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing infrastructure is segmented into multiple distributed edge nodes rather than a single centralized platform. Each node operates independently with localized data processing capabilities, reducing security risks associated with centralized systems while providing enhanced overall computational power through parallel processing across multiple nodes.
4Extent of automation
If intelligent control technologies are integrated into traditional architectures, then smart power plant capabilities are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimensional layer (edge computing layer) above the traditional DCS architecture rather than integrating intelligent technologies directly into existing systems. This dimensional change allows smart power plant capabilities to be added without increasing complexity in the original control layers, as the edge layer handles all intelligent processing independently with standardized interfaces to underlying systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an integrated management and control system for a power plant including a power plant cloud edge vertical architecture system, which includes an inter-plant cloud platform, a plurality of intelligent control platforms, and a plurality of plant-side edge cloud platforms. Each intelligent control platform corresponds to one plant-side edge cloud platform and one power plant that are located in the corresponding power plant. The intelligent control platform is positively interconnected to the corresponding plant-side edge cloud platform via a forward isolation device, and the intelligent control platform is inversely interconnected to the corresponding plant-side edge cloud platform via a network switching device and a reverse isolation device. The plant-side edge cloud platform is bidirectionally interconnected to the inter-plant cloud platform over a private power network. The plant-side edge cloud platform is a reduced capacity private edge cloud system for a power plant.