Topology-Based Switching Error Prevention in Power Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex electric power systems face switching errors due to human error, equipment failure, and inadequate interlocking devices, leading to potential disasters, and conventional simulation systems rely on human programmers, prone to errors and complex logic challenges.
Innovation Solution
A computer system with a topology-extraction mechanism, status database, rule database, simulation mechanism, and smart key for verifying switching operations, ensuring safe sequences by simulating the power system's topology and interlocking logic, and transmitting switching orders to unlock devices securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human programmers manually generate and input logic expressions for switching operations, then the system can perform switching-sequence simulation, but the system becomes prone to typographical errors and unintended omissions
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates logic expressions by extracting topology information from the power system and retrieving relevant rules from the rule database, eliminating the need for manual programming. The simulation mechanism self-configures the verification logic based on current system state and predefined safety rules, thereby improving reliability while reducing human error.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of programming logic expressions with an automated computational system. The topology-extraction mechanism and simulation mechanism work together to automatically generate and execute verification logic, substituting human cognitive and manual input processes with automated information processing.
2Reliability
If the system performs comprehensive switching-sequence simulation with multiple safety rules, then switching errors are prevented, but the operation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes a comprehensive rule database containing all safety rules and interlocking logic before switching operations occur. By having all verification rules ready in advance, the simulation mechanism can quickly retrieve and apply relevant rules during actual switching operations, reducing verification time while maintaining comprehensive safety checks.
Solution Approach 2:
The verification process is segmented into modular components: topology extraction, status retrieval, rule matching, and simulation execution. This modular architecture allows the system to efficiently process only the relevant portion of the rule set applicable to each specific switching operation, rather than checking all rules uniformly, thereby reducing verification time while maintaining thoroughness.
3Reliability
If the system uses automated topology extraction and simulation mechanisms, then human error is reduced, but the system complexity and initial setup requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The simulation mechanism serves multiple functions: it verifies switching sequences, checks safety rules, extracts topology information, and interfaces with the rule database. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional system, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated systems for each function, while maintaining high verification accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides a computer system for preventing switching errors in a power system that includes a plurality of switching devices. The system includes a topology-extraction mechanism configured to extract topology information associated with the power system; a status database configured to store status information associated with the switching devices; a rule database configured to store user-definable operation rules associated with the switching devices; a receiving mechanism configured to receive a request for performing a switching operation on a device; a simulation mechanism configured to perform a simulation based on the extracted topology information, the status information, and a rule associated with the device; a determination mechanism configured to determine whether the switching operation is allowed based on an outcome of the simulation; and a display mechanism configured to display an output of the determination mechanism.