Decentralized Volt/VAR Control for Power Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional distributed control schemes in electrical distribution systems effectively maintain voltage within acceptable ranges but fail to optimize active power losses, power factor, and voltage flatness across segments of the system.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized coordinated control system using a network interface and data processing circuitry to simulate and optimize equipment configurations in electrical distribution systems, including load tap changing transformers and capacitor banks, to manage voltage, active power losses, and power factor while preventing voltage violations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distributed control scheme is used to maintain voltage within acceptable ranges, then voltage stability is improved, but active power losses and power factor optimization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coordinator controller as an intermediary component that receives measurements from multiple local controllers and sends coordinated control signals back to them. This coordinator enables centralized optimization of active power losses and power factor while local controllers maintain voltage stability, resolving the contradiction between voltage reliability and energy loss reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple independent local controllers into a coordinated control system. By combining local voltage control functions with centralized loss optimization functions in a unified control architecture, the system achieves both voltage stability and active power loss reduction simultaneously.
2Reliability
If distributed control scheme is used to maintain voltage within acceptable ranges, then voltage stability is improved, but power factor optimization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coordinator controller acts as an intermediary that aggregates power factor information from local controllers and implements coordinated compensation strategies. This allows power factor optimization across the entire system while local controllers continue to maintain their voltage stability functions independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed with multi-functionality, where local controllers handle voltage regulation and the coordinator controller handles power factor optimization and loss reduction. This universal control architecture enables the system to perform multiple functions simultaneously without compromising voltage stability.
3Loss of energy
If decentralized coordinated control is implemented to optimize active power losses, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into local controllers and a coordinator controller, each with specific functions. Local controllers handle basic voltage regulation while the coordinator handles optimization functions. This segmentation reduces overall complexity by distributing control functions rather than requiring a single complex centralized controller.
Solution Approach 2:
Local controllers autonomously perform voltage regulation based on local measurements, requiring minimal intervention from the coordinator. This self-service capability at the local level reduces the computational burden and complexity of the central coordinator, making the overall system more manageable despite its enhanced optimization capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for decentralized coordinated Volt/VAR control are provided. Such a device may allow, for example, an operational parameter such as voltage, power losses, a combination of these, and/or power factor to be optimized on a segment of an electrical distribution system under certain conditions. For example, a controller may include a network interface to receive measurements and data processing circuitry to optimize a voltage deviation, active power losses, or a combination thereof, based at least in part on the total load on the segment of the electrical distribution system.