Timing Reliability in Wide Area Power Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The reliability of timing in wide area control of power transmission systems is critical due to the potential for system failures from unreliable timing, which can lead to transmission bottlenecks and blackouts, especially when using time-stamped measurements from distant geographical areas.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for evaluating the accuracy of timing in power transmission systems by investigating time stamps and determining if they are reliable, with the ability to abort wide area control if the timing is deemed unreliable, using a timing deviation handling unit and measurement aligning units to ensure accurate synchronization and alignment of measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wide area control is used to optimize power transmission system performance, then system performance and transfer limits are improved, but timing reliability deteriorates due to time delays from distant geographical measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary timing evaluation mechanism that assesses the reliability of time-stamped measurements before they are used in wide area control. This intermediary layer evaluates timing accuracy and determines whether measurements from distant geographical areas are reliable enough for control decisions, thus resolving the contradiction between utilizing remote measurements for improved performance and ensuring timing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the timing evaluation unit continuously monitors the reliability of time-stamped measurements and provides feedback to the control system. When timing reliability falls below acceptable thresholds, the system adjusts its operation or switches to alternative control modes, ensuring that wide area control is only applied when timing conditions are satisfactory.
2Adaptability or versatility
If time-stamped measurements from distant geographical areas are used, then wide area control capability is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to time delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by evaluating the timing reliability of measurements before they are incorporated into wide area control decisions. The timing evaluation unit assesses time delays and reliability metrics in advance, determining which measurements are accurate enough for control purposes. This preliminary evaluation prevents inaccurate measurements from degrading control performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter evaluation approach by not only considering the magnitude of measurements but also evaluating timing-related parameters such as time delays and synchronization accuracy. The system dynamically adjusts which measurements are used based on timing parameter thresholds, thus maintaining measurement precision while enabling wide area control capability.
3Reliability
If timing evaluation and reliability checking are implemented, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timing evaluation function as a separate, dedicated unit within the control system. By isolating the reliability checking mechanism from the main control logic, the system achieves improved reliability without significantly increasing overall complexity. The extracted timing evaluation unit operates independently and provides clear outputs that integrate smoothly with existing control structures.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If wide area control is aborted due to unreliable timing, then system safety is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between wide area control and alternative control modes based on real-time timing reliability assessments. When timing conditions are favorable, wide area control is active to maximize productivity. When timing reliability deteriorates, the system dynamically transitions to local control or other alternative modes to maintain safety. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for productivity when safe and prioritize safety when timing conditions are poor.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5B
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention is related to a method, power control device and computer program product for evaluating the accuracy of timing provided by time generating equipment (12, 14, 16, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 32) in relation to wide area control in a power transmission system, where the wide area control is performed based on time stamped measurements (P1, P2, Pn) of system data. The power control device (10) includes a timing deviation handling unit (30) that investigates the timing (TS, TI, GCT) used in relation to measurements, determines if the timing is reliable or not based on the investigation and aborts wide area control if the timing is deemed unreliable.