Solid-State Transformer Control for Fault-Adaptive Infrastructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric infrastructures are not sufficiently versatile or flexible to react to different changed conditions such as faults or imbalances, particularly in the context of the proliferation of electric vehicles, which can lead to inefficiencies and disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing solid state transformers (SSTs) and a controller to detect and adapt to faults or imbalances by coordinating energy distribution, including reactive power compensation, active power supply, and energy redistribution, with modes like energy acquiring and supplying, harmonic filtering, and power factor correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional electric infrastructure is used, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to different changed conditions such as faults or imbalances
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions including detecting different types of faults (voltage sags, swells, harmonics, outages), managing bidirectional energy flow, coordinating reactive power compensation, and controlling solid state transformers. This multi-functional approach enables the infrastructure to adapt to various changed conditions without requiring separate specialized systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on detected conditions. The controller continuously monitors voltage, current, and power quality parameters, then real-time modifies the operation of solid state transformers and energy management strategies. This dynamic response allows the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
2Reliability
If the infrastructure reacts to faults and imbalances, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements continuous feedback monitoring of voltage, current, power quality, and energy flow throughout the infrastructure. When faults or imbalances are detected, the system automatically adjusts operations of solid state transformers and energy distribution based on this feedback. This closed-loop control enhances reliability by ensuring the system responds appropriately to changing conditions without requiring complex manual intervention systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to autonomously detect faults, differentiate fault types, and implement corrective actions without external intervention. The controller automatically coordinates reactive power compensation, manages energy redistribution, and controls solid state transformer operations based on detected conditions, enabling the infrastructure to self-correct and maintain reliability while avoiding the complexity of external control mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If solid state transformers are integrated for bidirectional energy transmission, then the adaptability improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the infrastructure into discrete controllable units with solid state transformers positioned at specific nodes. Each solid state transformer operates as an independent bidirectional energy conversion unit that can be manufactured and deployed separately. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of modular components while achieving system-wide adaptability through their coordinated operation under controller management.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling an electric infrastructure includes one or more interfaces coupled to one or more stations. The stations are operable to receive first electric energy via a bus. Each station is operable to receive the first electric energy from a power supply and to transmit second electric energy to one or more entities. Each station is operable to transmit third electric energy back towards the bus. A controller system includes the one or more interfaces and a controller. The controller system includes one or more hardware processors that detect an existence of a fault within the electric infrastructure, determine a faulty type, and based on the faulty type, adjust an operation of a particular station of the stations to compensate for the fault. The fault indicates an outage or performance loss.