Smart Grid Topology Determination via Phase Angle Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility companies face challenges in maintaining accurate connectivity information for smart meters and transformers in smart grids, leading to degraded analytics and functionality due to errors in network topology data, which is often poorly maintained and outdated.
Innovation Solution
The techniques involve determining network topology and electrical phases by using phase angle determination (PAD) messages propagated through the grid, allowing nodes to calculate their phase angles relative to a reference node, and utilizing statistical information propagation to correct phase information during outages or unusual events, ensuring accurate phase identification and network mapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If connectivity information is manually maintained by utility companies, then initial network topology data can be established, but errors accumulate over time due to lack of updates and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables meters to automatically determine and communicate their own connectivity information through phase angle determination messages. Each meter acts as its own information source, eliminating the need for manual updates and reducing error accumulation over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where meters exchange phase angle information and update their connectivity records dynamically. This ongoing verification and update process ensures information remains accurate without manual intervention.
2Loss of information
If phase angle determination messages are propagated through all nodes in the network, then complete network topology can be determined, but communication overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network topology determination is segmented into local phase angle measurements between neighboring nodes. Each node independently determines its phase angle relative to neighbors, breaking down the complex global topology problem into manageable local measurements that are then aggregated.
3Reliability
If manual updates of connectivity records are performed during line work, then connectivity information can be kept current, but errors are introduced due to time pressure and lack of proper procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates manual update processes by enabling automatic self-determination of connectivity information through phase angle measurements. Meters continuously verify and update their own connectivity status without human intervention, removing the source of human error entirely.
Data Source
AI summary
Determination of electrical network topology and connectivity are described herein. A zero-crossing is indicated at a time when the line voltage of a conducting wire in an electrical grid is zero. Such zero-crossings may be used to measure time within a smart grid, and to determine the connectivity of, and the electrical phase used by, particular network elements. A first meter may receive a phase angle determination (PAD) message, including zero-crossing information, sent from a second meter, hereafter called a reference meter. The first meter may compare the received zero-crossing information to its own zero-crossing information. A phase difference may be determined between the first meter and the reference meter from which the PAD message originated. The first meter may pass the PAD message to additional meters, which propagate the message through the network. Accordingly, an electrical phase used by meters within the network may be determined.