Reactive Power Flow Control for Feed-In Point Voltage Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power grid control methods using blind power flows for voltage management are inefficient, often failing to maintain ideal voltage levels and not optimally utilizing available resources.

Innovation Solution

A procedure for controlling reactive power flows between a maximum or high-voltage network and a medium or high-voltage network, utilizing voltage measurements, condition data, and adaptive settings of transformers, generators, and blind power compensation systems to maintain optimal voltage levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reactive power flows are controlled manually and ad hoc by grid operators, then voltage control can be performed, but voltage control is not ideal and resources are not optimally utilized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage control qualityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control method implements a closed-loop feedback system where measured voltage values at feed-in points are continuously compared with target voltage values. The deviation information is fed back to adjust reactive power flows, enabling automatic correction of voltage deviations and optimal utilization of available resources without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service control by automatically determining manipulated variables for reactive power controllers based on measured and target voltage values. The grid operators no longer need to manually control reactive power flows - the system autonomously optimizes voltage control and resource utilization through automated feedback mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If decentralized power producers feed into medium- or high-voltage grids, then electricity production becomes more distributed, but grid control becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecentralized production capabilityVSAvoidgrid control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control method provides a universal solution applicable to various decentralized power producers feeding into different voltage levels (medium-voltage or high-voltage grids). By standardizing the feedback-based control approach, the system handles diverse decentralized sources through a unified control mechanism, reducing overall grid control complexity despite increased production decentralization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If reactive power flows are not optimally controlled, then voltage levels may deviate from targets, but implementing optimal control requires complex optimization functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage stabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a relatively simple feedback mechanism that compares measured voltage values with target values and automatically adjusts reactive power flows accordingly. This feedback approach achieves voltage stability without requiring complex optimization functions, as the control adapts continuously based on actual measurements and deviations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4542810A1Voltage conservation by means of controlled reactive power flows
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 BKW ENERGIE
  • EP4542810A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4542810A1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)
  • EP4542810A1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(e)

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling reactive power flows for the purpose of voltage control at at least one feed-in point (1) between, on the one hand, an extra-high voltage network (2) and, on the other hand, a medium- or high-voltage network (3), wherein the medium- or high-voltage network (3) has a plurality of nodes (4), wherein at least one generator (6) and a plurality of loads (5) are connected to the plurality of nodes (4), and wherein the extra-high voltage network (2) and the medium- or high-voltage network (3) are connected by at least one transformer (7).The procedure includes receiving (8) a high-voltage network-side voltage measurement value VME and receiving a high-voltage network-side voltage setpoint VSP at the at least one offtake point (1), as well as receiving (10) status data relating to feed-ins into the medium- or high-voltage network (3) via at least one feed-in node in the plurality of nodes (4) and relating to loads (5) connected to the plurality of nodes (4).The method also includes determining at least one manipulated variable by minimizing or maximizing an objective function dependent on the high-voltage grid-side voltage measurement value VME and the high-voltage grid-side voltage setpoint VSP, and subsequently adjusting a tap changer of the transformer and/or subsequently adjusting a reactive power controller of the generator and/or subsequently adjusting a reactive power compensation system based on the determined at least one manipulated variable. The invention also relates to a computing unit and a computer program product.