Secure Microgrid Redundant Power Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microgrid systems lack comprehensive protection against power failures and cyber threats, particularly in mission-critical loads, and fail to ensure reliable on-site power generation and energy storage to sustain critical loads independently for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A secure microgrid configuration with redundant power distribution, advanced metering infrastructure, renewable energy sources, energy storage, and a microgrid controller that prioritizes load shedding and utilizes multiple power sources to meet N+1 criteria, while incorporating EMP protection and cyber security measures to ensure resilience and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microgrid systems use standard power distribution without redundancy, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of mission-critical loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution system is segmented into multiple independent pathways with redundant routes. Critical loads are connected through multiple distribution paths, allowing isolation of faults to specific segments while maintaining power supply to critical loads through alternative pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates pre-configured redundant power pathways and backup distribution routes before failures occur. When a fault is detected in one pathway, the system can immediately switch to pre-established alternative pathways, cushioning against the impact of failures on mission-critical loads.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If microgrid systems implement comprehensive cyber security measures and EMP protection, then protection against threats is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple protection functions including EMP shielding, cyber security infrastructure, and physical security measures are merged into an integrated protection layer. The advanced metering infrastructure and control systems incorporate embedded security features that combine multiple protective functions within unified architectural components.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection infrastructure is designed with multi-functional components that serve multiple purposes. For example, the advanced metering infrastructure simultaneously performs measurement, monitoring, and security functions, while the redundant distribution system provides both power delivery and security isolation capabilities.
3Duration of action of moving object
If microgrid systems store six months of fuel supplies, then duration of independent operation is improved, but volume of storage required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel storage system is designed with dynamic capacity that can be adjusted based on operational needs. The system can scale fuel storage volume according to the duration of independent operation required, allowing optimization between storage volume and operational duration rather than requiring fixed six-month capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows parameter changes in fuel storage capacity based on varying operational requirements. Rather than maintaining constant maximum storage, the fuel volume parameter can be dynamically adjusted to match the actual duration of independent operation needed, optimizing the balance between storage volume and operational duration.
4Reliability
If microgrid systems implement N+1 power generation criteria, then reliability of power supply is improved, but total power generation capacity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The N+1 redundancy is applied selectively to power generation sources that directly supply mission-critical loads, rather than uniformly across all generation capacity. This ensures that critical loads have redundant power sources while non-critical loads can operate without redundancy, optimizing the balance between reliability and total generation capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A microgrid comprising a utility interconnect connecting the microgrid to an electric utility power distribution system; an underground power distribution system wherein the underground power distribution system is configured to have a feature selected from redundant power distribution capabilities and being wired as a loop distribution system with sectionalizing switches; a first set of loads comprising all nonresilient mission critical loads in the microgrid; a second set of loads comprising all resilient mission critical loads in the microgrid not contained in the first set of loads; a combined mission critical load comprising the first set of loads and the second set of loads; a first power generation source; and a second power generation source wherein the second power generation source is a renewable energy power generation source is disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein are methods of protecting microgrids by implementing similar features.