Centralized Voltage Selection for Substation Synchronism Check
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional secondary signal distribution methods in digital substations face limitations due to limited bandwidth, hardware/software constraints, increased complexity, and the need for independent determination of substation topology by each Intelligent Electronic Device (IED), especially when dealing with multiple feeders, which complicates configuration and modification processes.
Innovation Solution
Employing a centralized logic controller with Software-Defined Network (SDN) technology to manage and route voltage selection for synchronism checks, reducing the processing burden on IEDs and enabling scalable, secure, and efficient distribution of reference voltages across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional secondary signal distribution methods are used in digital substations, then each IED can independently determine substation topology, but bandwidth requirements increase and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized voltage selection controller as an intermediary device that receives voltage measurements from multiple merging units and selectively outputs reference voltage signals to IEDs. This mediator handles the complexity of topology determination and voltage selection centrally, freeing IEDs from independent topology analysis while reducing network bandwidth requirements through selective signal distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple voltage measurement streams from different merging units into a single selective output through the voltage selection controller. By merging these signals and applying logical selection based on breaker status, the system reduces the total number of signal paths required, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining the ability to provide appropriate reference voltages to all IEDs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional secondary signal distribution methods are used with multiple feeders, then each IED must independently track topology changes, but configuration complexity and modification difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized voltage selection controller acts as an intermediary that manages complexity for multiple feeders. It receives inputs from multiple merging units corresponding to different feeders and internally tracks topology changes based on breaker status. This allows the system to handle multiple feeders adaptably while the controller absorbs the configuration complexity, making modifications easier through centralized control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage selection controller provides universal functionality by serving multiple IEDs across multiple feeders through a single device. It can dynamically select and route appropriate reference voltage signals to any connected IED based on real-time breaker status, making the system adaptable to various feeder configurations without requiring individual IEDs to be reconfigured for each topology change.
3Extent of automation
If each IED independently determines substation topology, then system autonomy is maintained, but processing burden on IEDs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the topology determination and voltage selection processing burden from individual IEDs and relocates it to a centralized voltage selection controller. The controller independently analyzes breaker status and selects appropriate reference voltage signals, while IEDs simply receive pre-processed voltage outputs. This extraction maintains system automation while significantly reducing the processing requirements for each IED.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage selection controller serves as an intermediary processing layer between merging units and IEDs. It performs the computationally intensive tasks of topology assessment and voltage selection centrally, then provides simplified voltage signals to IEDs. This mediator approach maintains automated operation while distributing processing burden appropriately, with the controller handling complex calculations and IEDs handling protection logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for voltage signal distribution in a digital substation protection system. In a system where a voltage signal from a bus is not available, an alternative voltage secondary signal may be selected as a reference voltage and made available to the appropriate protection devices in a digital substation protection system for synchronism check. Voltage signals may be distributed using software-defined networking. A voltage selection controller may select the reference voltage and control distribution of the voltage signal using the software-defined networking communication system.