Distribution Network Voltage Control with Online Line Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing real-time voltage control techniques for electrical distribution networks with non-linear power flows lack performance and stability guarantees, and are unable to operate effectively without exact knowledge of grid topology and line parameters, which is often unavailable due to frequent reconfiguration and time-varying system parameters.
Innovation Solution
A processor-implemented method and system for real-time voltage stabilization that simulates the electrical distribution network using a non-linear power flow model, predicts line parameters using online convex optimization and Gauss-Seidel techniques, and determines stable control signals for each bus to stabilize the voltage, all without requiring exact knowledge of line parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional voltage controllers (tap-changing transformer, series and shunt capacitors) are used, then the system is simple to operate, but they cannot control voltage variations quickly enough for real-time stabilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical voltage controllers (tap-changing transformers, series and shunt capacitors) with a real-time voltage control technique that uses a processor to calculate and adjust reactive power set-points. This substitution enables rapid response to voltage variations while maintaining system simplicity through software-based control rather than complex mechanical devices.
2Reliability
If real-time voltage control techniques are implemented, then voltage stabilization performance is improved, but they require exact knowledge of grid topology and line parameters which is often unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the system estimates line parameters (resistance and reactance) directly from available voltage and power measurements without requiring external information sources. The processor calculates these parameters using measurement data from the electrical distribution network itself, enabling the system to function autonomously despite information loss due to grid reconfiguration or parameter changes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If techniques considering unknown line parameters are used, then adaptability to grid changes is improved, but performance and stability guarantees are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the processor continuously monitors voltage measurements and adjusts reactive power set-points based on the difference between actual and reference voltages. This closed-loop control provides both adaptability to changing grid conditions and stability guarantees through proven control theory, as the system responds to deviations in real-time while maintaining bounded control actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary estimation of line parameters before implementing voltage control, using available measurement data to calculate resistance and reactance values. This preliminary action enables the system to adapt to unknown grid conditions while maintaining stability guarantees, as the control algorithm is designed to work with estimated parameters rather than requiring exact knowledge.
4Reliability
If linear power flow equations are used, then theoretical stability guarantees are achieved, but they cannot be implemented in practice where power flows are non-linear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mathematical model from linear to non-linear power flow equations to accurately represent real electrical distribution networks. The processor implements voltage control using non-linear power flow relationships, maintaining stability guarantees through rigorous mathematical analysis that accounts for the non-linear characteristics of actual power systems rather than relying on simplified linear approximations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for real-time voltage stabilization of electrical distribution networks with non-linear power flows. Existing real-time voltage control techniques are neither performance nor stability guarantees. The present disclosure proposes an online robust control algorithm, which operates without knowing an exact information of the line-parameters and resolves the voltage stability problem. In the proposed method a load data, a distributed energy resources (DER) data, and a network data of an electrical distribution network is obtained, to obtain a voltage profile at each time-step of the electrical distribution network. Next, line-parameters of the electrical distribution network are predicted using an on-line convex optimization technique and a Gauss-Seidel technique. Then, a stable control signal for each bus that stabilizes a voltage of the electrical distribution network is determined to utilize the stable voltage for the voltage stabilizing of the electrical distribution network in real-time.