Power Swing Detection Using Local Reactance Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power swing detection methods in electrical power systems rely on extensive stability studies and remote measurements, which are costly and not adaptable to dynamic system changes, leading to unreliable relay operations during power swings, potentially causing equipment damage and blackouts.

Innovation Solution

A power swing detection device that uses local measurements of voltage and current magnitudes at the source-end generator to estimate the total reactance and swing angle, allowing for real-time detection of power swings without the need for remote communication, thereby enabling selective and reliable protection of generators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional impedance-based protection approaches are used, then relay operation can be implemented, but extensive stability studies are required and settings cannot adapt to dynamic system changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay operation reliabilityVSAvoidstability study complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protection device performs self-adjustment by automatically updating its operating characteristics based on real-time system impedance measurements. The device monitors system conditions and dynamically modifies its settings without requiring external stability studies or manual intervention, enabling it to adapt to changing system configurations and operational dynamics autonomously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The protection device transitions from static preliminary settings to dynamic adaptive settings. It continuously tracks system impedance variations and adjusts its operating characteristics in real-time, allowing the relay to maintain optimal performance throughout different system states and operational phases without requiring extensive stability studies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If high-speed communication networks are used for SCV estimation, then remote generator data can be obtained, but implementation and maintenance costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswing angle measurement accuracyVSAvoidcommunication infrastructure cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces an intermediary approach by using locally available impedance measurements as a substitute for direct remote rotor angle measurements. Instead of requiring high-speed communication networks to transmit data from remote generators, the device uses the measured system impedance as an intermediate parameter that indirectly provides swing angle information through established relationships

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection device creates a local copy of the swing angle information by calculating it from measured impedance data. Rather than obtaining direct measurements from remote generators through expensive communication networks, the device replicates the necessary information locally through mathematical relationships between impedance and swing angle, eliminating the need for high-speed communication infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If SCV estimation uses approximate methods, then implementation is simpler, but real-time power system dynamics are not considered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection method simplicityVSAvoidadaptation to system dynamics
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protection device implements dynamic adaptation by continuously monitoring system impedance and updating its operating characteristics in real-time. The device adjusts its behavior based on current system conditions, transitioning from static approximate methods to dynamic adaptive methods that automatically respond to changing power system dynamics without complex implementation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If preliminary protection settings are used, then device implementation is faster, but the device cannot reliably detect power swings under varying system configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation speedVSAvoidpower swing detection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protection device replaces static preliminary settings with dynamic adaptive settings that automatically adjust to system conditions. The device begins operation immediately with initial settings but continuously refines its characteristics based on real-time impedance measurements, achieving both fast implementation and reliable detection under varying configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs self-adjustment of its protection settings by automatically monitoring system impedance and modifying its operating characteristics accordingly. This eliminates the need for extensive stability studies and manual setting adjustments, allowing the device to be implemented quickly while maintaining high reliability through autonomous adaptation to system changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2840674B1Systems and methods for power swing angle estimation in an electrical power system
Publication Date: 2020.12.02 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP2840674B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2840674B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2840674B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In accordance with one embodiment, a method for hundred for detection of power swing for at least a first range of swing angles between an internal voltage (ES) of a source-end generator and an internal voltage (ER) of a receiving-end generator is provided. The method 400 includes obtaining a voltage magnitude (VS) (402) of the source-end generator, and a current magnitude (Is) (404) of the source-end generator. The method further includes estimating (406) a total reactance (X) between the source-end generator and the receiving-end generator, and estimating (408) a first swing angle (θ) between the ES and the ER as a function of the obtained VS, the obtained Is and the estimated X. The method (400) further includes detecting (410) a power swing condition based on the estimated θ.