Reactive Power Regulation via Sequence Decoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional reactive power control in electrical grids is inaccurate due to the lack of consideration for negative sequence components, especially in imbalanced grids and during fault conditions, leading to instability and inefficiency in power transmission and distribution.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for decoupling and separately regulating positive and negative sequence components of reactive power, allowing for vector VAR control, which independently manages reactive power in both sequences to stabilize the grid and mitigate imbalances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional reactive power control based on positive sequence components is used, then the control is simple to implement, but the reactive power regulation accuracy deteriorates in imbalanced grids

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol implementation simplicityVSAvoidreactive power regulation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reactive power control into two independent parts: positive sequence reactive power control and negative sequence reactive power control. By decomposing the three-phase reactive power into positive and negative sequence components, the system can separately regulate each sequence, thereby achieving accurate reactive power compensation in imbalanced grids while maintaining manageable control complexity through modular control structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If positive sequence components only are regulated, then the control structure remains simple, but grid stability deteriorates during fault conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol structure complexityVSAvoidgrid stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control structure is segmented into positive sequence control module and negative sequence control module, each handling specific sequence components. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple modular architecture while enhancing grid stability by independently regulating both positive and negative sequence reactive power, particularly during fault conditions when negative sequence components become significant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control parameters by introducing negative sequence reactive power as an additional control variable. By regulating both positive sequence reactive power (Qp) and negative sequence reactive power (Qn), the system adapts to varying grid conditions including faults, thereby improving reliability without substantially increasing control structure complexity through the use of standardized control modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If negative sequence components are not considered, then the control implementation is straightforward, but power transmission efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol implementation straightforwardnessVSAvoidpower transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements segmentation by separating the control into positive sequence and negative sequence modules. This straightforward segmented approach maintains ease of implementation through modular design while improving power transmission efficiency by eliminating second-order ripples caused by unregulated negative sequence components, thereby optimizing the utilization of transmission capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If only positive sequence reactive power is regulated, then the control system remains simple, but the ability to mitigate grid imbalances deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidgrid imbalance mitigation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into positive sequence control and negative sequence control modules. This segmentation enables the system to maintain relative simplicity through modular architecture while significantly improving adaptability to grid imbalances by independently regulating negative sequence reactive power, which directly addresses the root cause of asymmetry and imbalance in the electrical grid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2621046B1System and method for reactive power regulation
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP2621046B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2621046B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2621046B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system 100 and method are provided for performing reactive power control. The system includes a power converter 20 and a controller 40 coupled to the power converter. The power converter is configured to convert a first form of electric power generated from the power source to a second form of electric power suitable to be distributed by the electrical grid. The controller 40 is configured to monitor the electric power transmitted between the power converter 20 and the electrical grid. The controller 40 is further configured to decouple a positive sequence component and a negative sequence component from the monitored electric power. The controller 40 is further configured to perform a positive reactive power control and a negative reactive power control with respect to the decoupled positive and negative sequence components. The controller 40 is further configured to transmit a control signal to the power converter 20 based on the positive and negative reactive power control.