Smart Grid Distributed Intelligence for Real-Time Fault Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management of power grids is inefficient and costly, with significant unused capacity in generation, transmission, and distribution networks, necessitating improved data collection and analysis technologies to enhance operational efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a smart grid system utilizing sensors, robust communications, and distributed computing to collect and analyze data in real-time, enabling decentralized intelligence and automated fault correction, as well as centralized management through the Intelligent Network Data Enterprise (INDE) Reference Architecture, which includes multiple data buses and distributed intelligence across the grid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional power grid management methods are used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but operational efficiency and reliability are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The power grid management system is segmented into multiple intelligent agents distributed across different grid components (generators, transformers, switches, loads). Each agent independently monitors and controls its local section, enabling parallel processing and eliminating single-point bottlenecks, thereby improving operational efficiency without requiring centralized complex control
Solution Approach 2:
Intelligent agents are implemented that enable grid components to autonomously detect faults, diagnose problems, and execute corrective actions without human intervention. The agents continuously monitor their respective components and automatically adjust operational parameters, making the system self-managing and significantly improving operational efficiency
2Reliability
If manual fault management is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but response time and reliability are poor
Solution Approach 1:
Intelligent agents continuously collect real-time data from grid components and provide immediate feedback to the control system. When anomalies or faults are detected, the agents instantly communicate this information and trigger automated responses, eliminating the delays inherent in manual monitoring and significantly improving both reliability and response time
Solution Approach 2:
Manual fault detection and response mechanisms are replaced with automated intelligent agents that use sensors, processors, and communication networks. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with electronic automation enables instantaneous fault detection and response, dramatically improving reliability while reducing response time
3Productivity
If unused grid capacity is not optimized, then operational simplicity is maintained, but resource utilization efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The intelligent agents are designed with multi-functionality, serving as sensors, processors, communicators, and controllers simultaneously. This universal design enables comprehensive data collection, analysis, and optimization across all grid components without requiring separate specialized systems, improving resource utilization while managing complexity through consolidation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters based on real-time conditions and historical data analysis. Intelligent agents continuously optimize power flow, load distribution, and resource allocation, enabling the grid to adapt to changing demands and maximize utilization of existing capacity without physical expansion
Data Source
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AI summary
A smart grid for improving the management of a power utility grid is provided. The smart grid as presently disclosed includes using sensors in various portions of the power utility grid, using communications and computing technology, such as additional bus structures, to upgrade an electric power grid so that it can operate more efficiently and reliably and support additional services to consumers. The smart grid may include distributed intelligence in the power utility grid (separate from the control center intelligence) including devices that generate data in different sections of the grid, analyze the generated data, and automatically modify the operation of a section of the power grid.