Volt/Var Switch Plan for Power Distribution Voltage Regulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power distribution systems rely on time-consuming trial-and-error methods for voltage regulation, leading to inefficient power delivery and energy losses during the analysis process.

Innovation Solution

A computer-based system that adjusts voltage levels and generates a switch plan for power distribution devices based on a hierarchy and threshold values, continuously monitoring voltage levels and power factors to maintain target levels and flatten the voltage profile, thereby reducing energy losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If trial-and-error methodology is used to determine switch plan settings, then the desired efficiency can be achieved, but the process becomes time consuming and causes energy losses during analysis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy lossesVSAvoidtime consuming
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing voltage dependence characteristics for different load conditions and capacitor bank configurations before actual operation. When a switch plan is needed, the pre-computed data is directly retrieved and applied, eliminating the need for time-consuming trial-and-error analysis during actual power delivery optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If voltage regulation algorithms continuously adjust settings to optimize efficiency, then energy losses are reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy lossesVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the voltage regulation problem by pre-computing and storing voltage dependence characteristics for different load conditions and capacitor bank configurations in separate data structures. This segmentation allows the system to retrieve pre-computed solutions rather than performing complex real-time calculations, reducing system complexity while maintaining energy optimization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If capacitor banks are activated and deactivated to optimize power flow, then system efficiency improves, but the trial-and-error process increases time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem efficiencyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating the optimal capacitor bank configurations and their corresponding voltage dependence characteristics for various load conditions. These pre-computed switch plans are stored and directly applied when needed, eliminating the time-consuming trial-and-error process of activating and deactivating capacitor banks during actual operation while maintaining system efficiency optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2515407B1A volt/var switch plan
Publication Date: 2017.07.05 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP2515407B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2515407B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A power distribution system (100) includes at least one power distribution device (102) and a computer (116) coupled to the power distribution device, wherein the computer includes a memory area (120) configured to store a hierarchy of the power distribution device. The computer is configured to adjust a first voltage level of a first power distribution device, wherein the first power distribution device is a first tier of the hierarchy, and adjust at least a second voltage level of at least a second power distribution device, wherein the second power distribution device is a second tier of the hierarchy. The computer is also configured to generate a switch plan for the power distribution device based on the adjusted first voltage level and the adjusted at least a second voltage level.