Method and apparatus for optimizing redundant critical control systems

• US 20030225481A1
• Filed: 02/25/2003
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Premerlani, William James, Berkcan, Ertugrul, Andarawis, Emad Andarawis, Schnore, Austars Raymond Jr., Sealing, Charles Scott, Jiang, Mingxiao, Pearlman, Marc Robert
• Application Number:
  US10/373,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20030225481A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/286
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/12 Synchronisation of different clock signals provided by a plurality of clock generators
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/05 Digital input using the sampling of an analogue quantity at regular intervals of time , input from a/d converter or output to d/a converter
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 83/20 operated by excess current as well as by some other abnormal electrical condition
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 1/0061 concerning transmission of signals transmission of measured quantities or switching orders; sectionalised protection involving signal transmission between at least two stations H02H7/261; comparison of the voltage or current values at two spaced portions of a single system H02H3/28; transferring the output of a sensing member to another variable G01D5/00; electrical measuring arrangements using modulation of electromagnetic waves, e.g. light beams G01R15/24, G01R15/26
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/006 Calibration or setting of parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/05 with means for increasing reliability, e.g. redundancy arrangements for logic circuits H03K19/003
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/261 involving signal transmission between at least two stations transmission of signals in general H02H1/0061
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/262 involving transmissions of switching or blocking orders
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/263 involving transmissions of measured values comparison of currents or voltages using pilot wires H02H3/30
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/30 Staggered disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00001 characterised by the display of information or by user interaction, e.g. supervisory control and data acquisition systems [SCADA] or graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00009 using pulsed signals
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00012 using an auxiliary transmission line
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00016 using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00018 using phone lines
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00036 the elements or equipment being or involving switches, relays or circuit breakers circuits for indication of single switches H01H9/167
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0004 : involved in a protection system
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2203/20 : Simulating, e g planning, reliability check, modelling or computer assisted design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/64 : The condition being economic, e.g. tariff based load management
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 : Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/001 : Methods to deal with contingencies, e.g. abnormalities, faults or failures
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/007 : Arrangements for selectively connecting the load or loads to one or several among a plurality of power lines or power sources for providing uninterruptable power supply H02J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/12 : for adjusting voltage in ac networks by changing a characteristic of the network load
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0658 : Clock or time synchronisation among packet nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0661 : using timestamps
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0002 : by adapting the transmission rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0018 : based on latency requirement
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0253 : using browsers or web-pages for accessing management information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 : Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/06 : Generation of reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 : by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/10 : Flow control; Congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 : Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 : in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 : Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/40 : Display of information, e.g. of data or controls
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 : Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 : End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 : Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 : using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 : using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 : Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid

Abstract

A method and system for determining a configuration of a redundant critical control system is provided. The method includes receiving power distribution system operating characteristic information, using a computer, determining a plurality of alternative configurations of the power distribution system that are consistent with the operating characteristic information and determining efficiency characteristics of each of the alternative configurations, and selecting a configuration from the plurality of alternative configurations. The system includes a computer system configured to receive power distribution system operating characteristic information, determine a plurality of alternative configurations of the power distribution system that are consistent with the operating characteristic information and determine life-cycle cost characteristics of each of the alternative configurations, and select a configuration from the plurality of alternative configurations.

Claims

1. A method for determining a configuration of a redundant critical control system, said method comprising:

receiving power distribution system operating characteristic information;

using a computer, determining a plurality of alternative configurations of the power distribution system that are consistent with the operating characteristic information and determining life-cycle cost characteristics of each of the alternative configurations; and

selecting a configuration from the plurality of alternative configurations.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein selecting a configuration comprises selecting a configuration that facilitates optimizing the power distribution system life-cycle cost of a plurality of components of the power distribution system.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein selecting a configuration comprises selecting a configuration wherein life-cycle costs include at least one of initial procurement cost, installation cost, maintenance cost, and replacement cost.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprises:

receiving optimization criteria; and

determining a system reliability and system availability of each of the alternative configurations based on the optimization criteria.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4 further comprising selecting a configuration that facilitates optimizing the power distribution system reliability wherein the reliability is measured as a probability of the system functionality at a first time that is greater than or equal to the system functionality at a second time wherein the first time is later than the second time.

6. A method in accordance with claim 4 further comprising selecting a configuration that facilitates optimizing the power distribution system availability wherein the availability is measured as a probability of the system functionality at any time is greater than or equal to a predetermined system functionality goal.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein determining a plurality of alternative configurations of the power distribution system comprises varying a number of components in a redundant scheme for each alternative configuration.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a set of parameters describing a plurality components of the power distribution system;

varying a redundancy of the plurality components for the received set of parameters; and

determining a power distribution system reliability and system availability for each level of redundancy.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein varying a redundancy of the plurality of components comprises varying a redundancy of the plurality of components wherein the plurality of components includes at least one of a central control processing unit (CCPU), a CCPU communications interface, a digital communications network, an Ethernet switch, a node electronics unit (NEU), an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), a main power supply to the UPS, a communications connection, and a circuit breaker.

10. A method in accordance with claim 8 further comprising:

evaluating at least one of a life cycle cost, a system availability, and a system reliability for each level of redundancy; and

determining a level of redundancy to facilitate optimizing the power distribution system life-cycle cost, reliability, and availability.

11. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein receiving a set of parameters comprises receiving a set of parameters that includes at least one of a number of available power sources, a reliability of available power sources, a number of branch circuits, a configuration of branch circuits, a number of a plurality of loads, and a rating of a plurality of loads.

12. A method in accordance with claim 8 further comprising:

determining a user'"'"'s power distribution system reliability goal;

determining a reliability of each available control power supply;

determining a reliability of a plurality of combinations of each available control power supply; and

comparing the reliability of each combination of available power supplies to the determined reliability goal.

13. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the power distribution system includes at least one circuit breaker, each circuit breaker supplying a load with electrical power from at least one electrical source, the circuit breakers configured in a hierarchical format from load to source, said method further comprising:

detecting a circuit breaker error associated with a first circuit breaker that prevents the first circuit breaker from interrupting a flow of load current;

determining at least one alternate circuit breaker to interrupt the flow of load current;

adjusting an operation of the determined at least one alternative circuit breaker.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein adjusting an operation of the determined at least one alternative circuit breaker comprises modifying a trip curve of the determined at least one alternative circuit breaker.

15. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein adjusting an operation of the determined at least one alternative circuit breaker comprises inferring electrical parameters at the first circuit breaker based on electrical parameters sensed in the power distribution system.

16. A method in accordance with claim 10 further comprising:

determining a power distribution system software configuration corresponding to the determined level of redundancy;

determining a cost of implementing the power distribution system software configuration;

varying the determined level of redundancy; and

determining the power distribution system software configuration that facilitates optimizing the power distribution system cost.

17. A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein determining a cost of implementing the power distribution system software configuration comprises determining a cost of implementing the power distribution system software configuration wherein cost includes at least one of a production schedule cost, a resource cost, and a labor cost.

18. A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein determining the power distribution system software configuration that facilitates optimizing the power distribution system cost comprises determining the power distribution system software configuration that facilitates optimizing the power distribution system cost wherein the power distribution system cost includes at least one of a production schedule cost, a resource cost, a labor cost, a reliability cost, and an availability cost.

19. A computer system for determining a configuration of a redundant critical control system, said computer configured to:

receive power distribution system operating characteristic information;

determine a plurality of alternative configurations of the power distribution system that are consistent with the operating characteristic information and determine life-cycle cost characteristics of each of the alternative configurations; and

select a configuration from the plurality of alternative configurations.

20. A computer system in accordance with claim 19 configured to select a configuration that facilitates optimizing the power distribution system lifecycle cost of a plurality of components of the power distribution system.

21. A computer system in accordance with claim 20 configured to select a configuration wherein life-cycle costs include at least one of initial procurement cost, installation cost, maintenance cost, and replacement cost.

22. A computer system in accordance with claim 19 further configured to:

receive optimization criteria; and

determine a system reliability and system availability of each of the alternative configurations based on the optimization criteria.

23. A computer system in accordance with claim 22 further configured to select a configuration that facilitates optimizing the power distribution system reliability wherein the reliability is measured as a probability of the system functionality at a first time that is greater than or equal to the system functionality at a second time wherein the first time is later than the second time.

24. A computer system in accordance with claim 22 further configured to select a configuration that facilitates optimizing the power distribution system availability wherein the availability is measured as a probability of the system functionality at any time is greater than or equal to a predetermined system functionality goal.

25. A computer system in accordance with claim 19 configured to determine a plurality of alternative configurations of the power distribution system based on varying a number of components in a redundant scheme for each alternative configuration.

26. A computer system in accordance with claim 19 further configured to:

receive a set of parameters describing a plurality components of the power distribution system;

vary a redundancy of the plurality components for the received set of parameters; and

determine a power distribution system reliability and system availability for each level of redundancy.

27. A computer system in accordance with claim 26 configured to vary a redundancy of said plurality of components wherein the plurality of components comprises at least one of a central control processing unit (CCPU), a CCPU communications interface, a digital communications network, an Ethernet switch, a node electronics unit (NEU), an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), a main power supply to the UPS, a communications connection, and a circuit breaker.

28. A computer system in accordance with claim 26 further configured to:

evaluate at least one of a life cycle cost, a system availability, and a system reliability for each level of redundancy; and

determine a level of redundancy to facilitate optimizing the power distribution system life-cycle cost, reliability, and availability.

29. A computer system in accordance with claim 26 configured to receive a set of parameters that includes at least one of a number of available power sources, a reliability of available power sources, a number of branch circuits, a configuration of branch circuits, a number of a plurality of loads, and a rating of a plurality of loads.

30. A computer system in accordance with claim 26 further configured to:

determine a user'"'"'s power distribution system reliability goal;

determine a reliability of each available control power supply;

determine a reliability of a plurality of combinations of each available control power supply; and

compare the reliability of each combination of available power supplies to the determined reliability goal.

31. A computer system in accordance with claim 19 wherein the power distribution system includes at least one circuit breaker, each circuit breaker supplying a load with electrical power from at least one electrical source, the circuit breakers configured in a hierarchical format from load to source, said method further configured to:

detect a circuit breaker error associated with a first circuit breaker that prevents the first circuit breaker from interrupting a flow of load current;

determine at least one alternate circuit breaker to interrupt the flow of load current; and

adjust an operation of the determined at least one alternative circuit breaker.

32. A computer system in accordance with claim 31 configured to modify a trip curve of the determined at least one alternative circuit breaker.

33. A computer system in accordance with claim 31 configured to infer electrical parameters at the first circuit breaker based on electrical parameters sensed in the power distribution system.

34. A computer system in accordance with claim 28 further configured to:

determine a power distribution system software configuration corresponding to the determined level of redundancy;

determine a cost of implementing the power distribution system software configuration;

vary the determined level of redundancy; and

determine the power distribution system software configuration that facilitates optimizing the power distribution system cost.

35. A computer system in accordance with claim 34 configured to determine a cost of implementing the power distribution system software configuration wherein cost includes at least one of a production schedule cost, a resource cost, and a labor cost.

36. A computer system in accordance with claim 34 configured to determine the power distribution system software configuration that facilitates optimizing the power distribution system cost wherein said power distribution system cost includes at least one of a production schedule cost, a resource cost, a labor cost, a reliability cost, and an availability cost.