Remote Parameterization of Electrical Network Protective Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Protective devices in electrical networks are often incorrectly or poorly parameterized, leading to potential cascaded shutdowns and blackouts due to overload in neighboring sections, compromising network stability.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for remote parameterization of protective devices, where a central facility reads and compares device-side parameter values with setpoint values, generates update signals, and reconfigures parameters based on operating and structural data to prevent cascaded shutdowns by determining suitable parameter values that reduce the risk of network failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If protective devices are parameterized with fixed parameter values, then the device operation is simple and stable, but the parameterization may be incorrect or non-optimal leading to cascaded shutdowns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork stabilityVSAvoidparameterization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the central facility continuously monitors network operating states and automatically adjusts protective device parameter values. The system reads current parameter values from protective devices, compares them with optimal values calculated based on real-time network conditions, and transmits corrected parameter values back to the devices, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal parameterization dynamically

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calculations of optimal parameter values based on network structural data and anticipated operating conditions. By pre-determining suitable parameter values before actual network changes occur, the system can quickly respond to network reconfigurations or load changes without requiring complex real-time calculations at the protective devices themselves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the central facility continuously monitors and adjusts all parameter values, then parameter optimization is improved, but the data transmission and processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter accuracyVSAvoiddata transmission energy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by having the central facility focus monitoring and adjustment efforts on specific protective devices or network sections that are identified as having suboptimal parameterization or that are at risk of causing cascaded shutdowns. Rather than continuously monitoring all devices equally, the system selectively intervenes where needed, reducing overall data transmission while maintaining parameter accuracy where it matters most

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements partial action by monitoring and adjusting only the necessary parameter values rather than all possible parameters. The central facility identifies which parameter values need correction based on network conditions and focuses computational and communication resources on those specific parameters, avoiding the energy overhead of comprehensive continuous monitoring of every parameter

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If parameter values are adjusted frequently to adapt to network changes, then adaptability is improved, but the risk of incorrect parameterization and system instability increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter adaptabilityVSAvoidparameter correctness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling parameter values to change adaptively in response to network conditions while maintaining stability through controlled adjustment mechanisms. The central facility dynamically recalculates optimal parameter values based on current network state and transitions devices to new parameter settings in a controlled manner, allowing the system to adapt to load changes, reconfigurations, and other network variations without causing instability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary validation and simulation of parameter changes before applying them to protective devices. By pre-calculating and verifying the correctness of new parameter values based on network structural data and operating conditions, the system ensures that adaptability improvements do not compromise parameter correctness or system stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3599689B1Method for operating an electric network
Publication Date: 2022.05.18 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3599689B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3599689B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3599689B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates, inter alia, to a method for operating an electrical network (10), in particular a power supply network or power distribution network, in which protective devices (PDs) are connected at a plurality of measuring points. These PDs monitor an associated network section of the electrical network (10) and are each parameterized with at least one device-side parameter value (PW) that influences the operation of the respective protective device (PD). According to the invention, the protective devices (PDs) are remotely readable and are connected to a higher-level central unit (20), and the central unit (20) reads the device-side parameter values ​​(PW) from the protective devices (PDs).