Microgrid Segmentation

• US 20180301903A1
• Filed: 12/11/2015
• Published: 10/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Energy Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Majumder, Ritwik, Marinopoulos, Antonis
• Granted Patent: US 11,283,263 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2639 Energy management, use maximum of cheap power, keep peak load low
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/10 The dispersed energy generation being of fossil origin, e.g. diesel generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/10 The network having a local or delimited stationary reach
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/0073 for providing alternative feeding paths between load and source when the main path fails, e.g. transformers, busbars
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/388 Islanding, i.e. disconnection of local power supply from the network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0029 with safety or protection devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission

Abstract

A method of controlling a microgrid arrangement including a microgrid having a plurality of switches, and a plurality of Distributed Generators arranged for being connected to the microgrid. The method includes obtaining information about the microgrid arrangement. The method also includes, based on the obtained information, dynamically linking a first group of switches, of the plurality of switches, to each other. The method also includes detecting an event in the microgrid, and in response to the detection, automatically opening closed switches in the first group, whereby a first segment of the microgrid is disconnected from a second segment of the microgrid.

Claims

1-13. -13. (canceled)

14. A method of controlling a microgrid arrangement including a control arrangement and a microgrid including a plurality of switches, each having a local controller, and a plurality of Distributed Generators, DGs, arranged for being connected to the microgrid, the method comprising:

obtaining information about the microgrid arrangement, wherein the obtained information includes sensor measurements on the microgrid, power generation of one or more of the DGs, and/or varying power quality requirements within the microgrid arrangement;

based on the obtained information, the control arrangement, dynamically over time, linking a first group of switches, of the plurality of switches, to each other, such that different switches, of the plurality of switches, are linked to each other in the first group during different time periods;

instructing the local controllers of said first group of switches that the switches of the first group are linked to each other;

after the linking, detecting an event in the microgrid; and

in response to the detection, by means of direct communication between the local controllers of said first group of switches, automatically opening closed switches in the first group, whereby a first segment of the microgrid is disconnected from a second segment of the microgrid.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one DG of the plurality of DGs is arranged for being connected to the first segment.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the event is disconnection of the at least one DG from the first segment.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the event is the opening of a first switch of the first group.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the automatically opening includes sending a signal from a local controller of the first switch to respective local controllers of the other switches in the first group.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the event is an instability in the microgrid, e.g. islanding of the microgrid.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the first segment is islanded by the opening of switches in the first group.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the obtaining information and linking are performed periodically and/or continuously.

22. The method of claim 14, further including:

in response to the detection, automatically closing open switches in the first group.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the event is the opening of a first switch of the first group.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein the event is an instability in the microgrid, e.g. islanding of the microgrid.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein the first segment is islanded by the opening of switches in the first group.

28. The method of claim 15, wherein the obtaining information and linking are performed periodically and/or continuously.

29. The method of claim 15, further including:

in response to the detection, automatically closing open switches in the first group.

23. A computer program product including computer-executable components for causing a control arrangement to perform a method of when the computer-executable components are run on processor circuitry included in the control arrangement, the method including the steps of:

obtaining information about the microgrid arrangement, wherein the obtained information includes sensor measurements on the microgrid, power generation of one or more of the DGs, and/or varying power quality requirements within the microgrid arrangement;

based on the obtained information, the control arrangement, dynamically over time, linking a first group of switches, of the plurality of switches, to each other, such that different switches, of the plurality of switches, are linked to each other in the first group during different time periods;

instructing the local controllers of said first group of switches that the switches of the first group are linked to each other;

after the linking, detecting an event in the microgrid; and

in response to the detection, by means of direct communication between the local controllers of said first group of switches, automatically opening closed switches in the first group, whereby a first segment of the microgrid is disconnected from a second segment of the microgrid.

24. A microgrid arrangement including:

a microgrid including a plurality of switches;

a plurality of Distributed Generators, DGs, arranged for being connected to the microgrid; and

a control arrangement including a respective local controller for each of the switches, for controlling operation of the microgrid arrangement;

the control arrangement including;

processor circuitry; and

storage storing instructions executable by said processor circuitry whereby said control arrangement is operative to;

obtain information about the microgrid arrangement, wherein the obtained information includes sensor measurements on the microgrid, power generation of one or more of the DGs, and/or varying power quality requirements within the microgrid arrangement;

based on the obtained information, dynamically over time link a first group of switches, of the plurality of switches, to each other, such that different of the plurality of switches are linked to each other in the first group during different time periods;

instruct the local controllers of said first group of switches that the switches of the first group are linked to each other;

after the linking, detect an event in the microgrid arrangement; and

in response to the detection, by means of direct communication between the local controllers of said first group of switches, automatically open closed switches in the first group, whereby a first segment of the microgrid is disconnected from a second segment of the microgrid.