Wireless Temperature Sensors for Smart Grid Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart grid systems face challenges in monitoring and managing power line loads and detecting outages, particularly in urban areas where there is a lack of information about current distribution between end users and substations, leading to voltage regulation issues and delayed outage detection.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising wireless temperature sensors attached to power lines, Current Measurement Units (CMUs) that use temperature readings to calculate currents, and a network for transmitting data to a remote control center, enabling real-time load management and rapid outage detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional control systems are used to monitor power lines, then the system structure remains simple, but there is a lack of information about current distribution at splitting points and local networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power distribution network into multiple monitoring segments by placing temperature sensors at specific locations (splitting points, urban areas, and along transmission lines). Each sensor independently monitors its local segment, providing distributed information about current distribution without requiring a complete system overhaul.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temperature sensors as intermediary devices that indirectly measure current by detecting the thermal effect (Joule heating) of current flow. This intermediary approach allows current distribution information to be obtained without direct electrical contact or complex measurement equipment at each monitoring point.
2Measurement precision
If more measurement equipment is installed to detect local current variations, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct electrical measurement systems with thermal measurement systems. By using temperature sensors to detect the thermal effect of current flow, the system achieves accurate current measurement without requiring complex electrical measurement equipment at each monitoring point.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensors utilize the natural thermal effect (Joule heating) produced by current flow in the power lines themselves. The power lines serve as their own measurement medium, generating the thermal signal that the sensors detect, eliminating the need for external power or complex measurement infrastructure.
3Loss of time
If real-time monitoring is implemented throughout the network, then outage detection speed improves, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements monitoring with local quality by strategically placing temperature sensors at specific locations where outages or abnormal conditions are most likely to occur or have greatest impact, such as splitting points, urban distribution areas, and along transmission lines. This targeted approach provides timely outage detection without requiring universal monitoring of every network segment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides accurate, real-time current measurements and rapid outage detection, allowing for improved load management and voltage regulation, reducing the need for costly network changes and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a) at least one wireless temperature sensor attached to bare conductors of said electric power line(s), for sensing temperatures generated by the currents flow in said conductors
Data Source
AI summary
A system for managing loads and detecting outages over electric power lines that comprises wireless temperature sensors which are attached to bare conductors of the electric power line(s), at line junctions or lines' splitting points, for sensing temperatures generated by the currents flow in the conductors. The system also includes a Current Measurement Units (CMU) for wirelessly reading the temperature sensed by the sensors, to allow cheap, rapid and easy RMS currents measurements on power lines at any voltage levels, by using temperature into current conversion formulas and tables.