Reconfigurable Power System Emulator for Fast Accurate Grid Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power system simulation methods face limitations in speed and accuracy, particularly when analyzing large stressed power systems, and conventional emulation methods are inflexible and restricted to fixed topologies.
Innovation Solution
A programmable power system emulator using microelectronic circuits and a programmable switch element to dynamically alter connections between power network components, allowing for rapid assessment of operating point limits and emulation of various scenarios, with an analogue bus for improved data transmission and concurrent communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If numerical algorithmic approaches are used for power system simulation, then accuracy is improved, but simulation speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces digital computational systems with an analog electronic circuit system. The power system is modeled using physical electronic components (operational amplifiers, resistors, capacitors, inductors) that naturally simulate electrical power system behavior through physical laws, eliminating the need for numerical calculations and achieving both high accuracy and real-time speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the simulation domain from digital computational parameters to analog electrical parameters. By mapping power system variables (voltage, current, power) to corresponding electrical circuit parameters, the system achieves continuous real-time simulation with physical fidelity, overcoming the discrete time-step limitations of numerical methods.
2Speed
If conventional emulation methods are used, then speed is improved, but accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional digital emulation with a purely analog electronic circuit implementation. The use of operational amplifiers and passive components creates a physical analog model that naturally preserves signal fidelity and avoids digital quantization errors, achieving both real-time speed and high accuracy simultaneously.
3Device complexity
If fixed topology systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic reconfigurability to the analog power system emulator through switchable circuit elements. The topology can be changed by switching connections between operational amplifiers and passive components, allowing the same hardware platform to simulate different power system configurations (radial, meshed, distributed generation) without increasing fundamental system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal analog computing platform that can emulate multiple power system topologies and operating conditions using the same set of operational amplifiers and passive components. By configuring different connection patterns and component values, a single device performs the function of multiple specialized simulators.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides an apparatus for emulation of a power system, the apparatus comprising a plurality of programmable elements, selectively connectable to one another; each programmable element comprising: at least two elements selected from the group consisting of a generator element, a line element and a load element; and a programmable switch element, operable to connect selectively the at least two elements of each programmable element to one another, and to connect selectively the programmable element to one or more other programmable elements. Also provided is a system for emulating a power system incorporating such apparatus.