Relay-Based Power Network Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrical supply network reconfiguration methods are expensive and complex, requiring additional equipment and dedicated communication networks, making them difficult to deploy and maintain, especially in scenarios where quick reconfiguration is necessary after a failure.

Innovation Solution

Programming existing relays, such as the MiCOM P541 relay, to perform automatic network reconfiguration following fault detection, allowing them to isolate faulty links and redistribute power automatically, reducing the need for additional equipment and communication networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional equipment and dedicated communication networks are deployed for network reconfiguration, then reconfiguration reliability and capability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The relay device is programmed to perform multiple functions: fault detection, fault isolation, and network reconfiguration. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated reconfiguration equipment and communication networks, reducing system complexity while maintaining reconfiguration capability through the existing relay infrastructure

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

Solution Approach 2:

The relay device automatically performs reconfiguration operations without requiring external control systems or additional equipment. The relay uses its own programming and existing communication capabilities to detect faults, isolate faulty sections, and reconfigure the network autonomously, eliminating dependency on complex external reconfiguration systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If programming is applied to existing relays for automatic reconfiguration, then ease of deployment and maintenance are improved, but automation capability may be limited compared to dedicated systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment easeVSAvoidautomation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The relay device is programmed with configurable parameters and logic to perform automatic reconfiguration. By modifying the software programming and operational parameters of existing relays, the system achieves automated fault detection, isolation, and reconfiguration capabilities without requiring new hardware, thus improving deployment ease while maintaining sufficient automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The programmed relay serves as both a protection device and a reconfiguration controller, combining multiple functions in a single device. This multi-functionality allows the existing relay infrastructure to handle automatic reconfiguration tasks, achieving a balance between deployment simplicity and automation capability without needing dedicated automated reconfiguration equipment

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

Data Source

PatentEP3509180B1Method for reconfiguration of a power supply network and associated network
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP3509180B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3509180B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP3509180B1 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

The network comprises: an electrical line with loops (10, 20, 30, 40) connected to each other by bars (101, 112, 123, 134, 102), each end of a loop being connected to a bar by a circuit breaker (11, 12; 21, 22; 31, 32; 41, 42); and a fault detection system, comprising, associated with each loop, a pair of relays (13, 14; 23, 24; 33, 34; 43, 44) in communication with each other, a relay controlling a circuit breaker located at one end of the loop.The process, implemented by the relays, consists of acquiring a voltage level value on a local bus to which the circuit breaker controlled by the relay in question is connected; acquiring a voltage level value on a remote bus to which the circuit breaker controlled by the other relay of the pair of relays to which the relay in question belongs is connected; and commanding the local circuit breaker to close when said values ​​are opposite, the local circuit breaker is open and no fault has been detected on the loop in question.