Geographic Location Tool for Power System Assets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power system simulation models lack geographic location information, making it challenging to perform location-based studies and requiring manual and inaccurate methods for associating geographic data with power system assets.

Innovation Solution

A method that imports known geographic information and automatically calculates geographic locations for unknown assets using a multilateration algorithm based on architectural information, such as branch connections and distances, iteratively refining the data until all assets have determined locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual methods are used to assign geographic location information to power system assets, then the process can be completed with existing tools, but the accuracy is low and the process is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeographic location accuracyVSAvoidtime for location assignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical methods of geographic location assignment with an automated computational system. The system uses algorithms that process power system data and satellite imagery to automatically calculate and assign geographic coordinates to power system assets, eliminating the need for manual mapping and significantly improving both accuracy and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables power system assets to self-assign geographic locations through automated algorithms. The methodology allows the system to independently process its own data, correlate it with satellite imagery, and automatically determine geographic positions without requiring external manual intervention for each asset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If existing GIS databases are used to map power system locations, then geographic information can be obtained, but the nomenclature and bus numbers differ making mapping challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeographic information completenessVSAvoidmapping process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that bridges power system data and GIS databases. This intermediary layer automatically correlates different nomenclatures and bus numbering systems by processing power system data against satellite imagery, creating a unified mapping that reconciles the differences between various data sources without requiring manual matching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms geographic location data from one parameter set (satellite imagery coordinates) to another (power system asset locations). By changing the parameters and format of geographic information to match power system requirements, the system enables automatic correlation without manual intervention despite differences in nomenclature and numbering systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If satellite imagery is used to derive geospatial data, then current model topology can be represented, but the data must be manually derived and maintained with low accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetopology representation accuracyVSAvoiddata derivation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual derivation and maintenance of geospatial data from satellite imagery with an automated computational system. The system automatically processes satellite imagery, extracts geographic information, and assigns it to power system assets, eliminating the need for manual data derivation while maintaining current topology representation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20220188474A1Geographic location tool for electric power systems

Publication Date: 2022.06.16 UT BATTELLE LLC

AI summary

A method for associating geographic location information with a power system model. The method generally includes the steps of receiving known geographic information for a plurality of power system assets within the model and automatically calculating the geographic information for other power system assets with unknown geographic information based on the imported geographic information and architectural information available within the model. The step of calculating the geographic location information may be performed iteratively initially using only imported geographic information and subsequently using both imported and calculated geographic information. The geographic location of each power system asset with an unknown location may be determined through multilateration based on known locations and branch connection lengths of two or more connections with known geolocations.