Hierarchical Smart Grid Node Controllers Dynamic Channel Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power distribution grids face challenges in managing energy imbalances, data throughput, and communication reliability due to increasing energy demands and the integration of renewable energy sources, leading to inefficiencies and potential grid control issues.

Innovation Solution

A multi-tier hierarchical electrical distribution network with distribution network node controllers (DNNCs) that dynamically select communication channels and data subsets based on predefined criteria to facilitate real-time control and minimize upper tier involvement in power distribution, enabling efficient data transmission and power management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If unlicensed wireless technologies (e.g., IEEE 802.11) are used for Smart Grid communications, then cost is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates due to increasing diverse time and spatially varying interferences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication costVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic communication channel selection where the system continuously monitors interference conditions and adapts by selecting optimal communication channels in real-time. This allows the system to maintain reliable communication despite varying interference conditions while using cost-effective unlicensed spectrum resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes communication parameters such as frequency selection, modulation schemes, and transmission power dynamically based on detected interference conditions. This enables the system to optimize communication reliability across different operational scenarios while maintaining cost efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If communication infrastructure is enhanced to support increased data transmission in Smart Grid, then data throughput is improved, but communication channel load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidcommunication channel load
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication infrastructure into multiple tiers (distribution network node controllers at lower levels and higher-level control systems). This hierarchical segmentation allows data to be processed and filtered at multiple levels, reducing the overall load on communication channels while maintaining high data throughput capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts and processes only essential data for transmission to upper tiers, filtering out redundant information at lower levels. This reduces communication channel load while maintaining the necessary data throughput for effective Smart Grid operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If distributed power generation systems are integrated into the flat control topography, then energy production diversity is improved, but data processing speed deteriorates due to increased data flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy production diversityVSAvoiddata processing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a hierarchical control structure that segments the flat control topography into multiple levels. This segmentation enables distributed power generation systems to operate autonomously at lower levels while only essential aggregated data is transmitted upward, maintaining fast processing speeds despite increased energy production diversity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds a hierarchical dimension to the previously flat control architecture. This dimensional transformation allows the system to accommodate diverse distributed power generation sources while maintaining efficient data processing through the hierarchical filtering and aggregation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2533398B1Enhanced communication infrastructure for hierarchical intelligent power distribution grid
Publication Date: 2021.03.31 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH
  • EP2533398B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2533398B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2533398B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The subject specification comprises enhanced communication infrastructure for a multi-tier hierarchical smart distribution grid (SDG). The SDG comprises a specified number of distribution network node controller (DNNC) components employed to desirably control communications and power distribution between respective tiers of the SDG to facilitate efficient power distribution. When communication between the a DNNC in one tier and another DNNC in another tier, is desired, the DNNC can identify available communication channels and respective communication conditions of the available communication channels, and can dynamically select a subset of available data and preferred communication channel, based at least in part on predefined control criteria, to control data transmission loads in the network and facilitate real time control of the SDG. Data can be communicated via the selected communication channel. Respective DNNCs can desirably control power distribution for respective tiers, minimizing upper tier involvement in lower tier power distribution.