Reliability of electrical distribution networks

• US 6,549,880 B1
• Filed: 09/15/1999
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mcgraw-Edison Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Mcgraw-Edison Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Willoughby, Ronald D., Foster, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Teska, Kevin J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, THAI Q
• Application Number:
  US09/396,473
• Time in Patent Office: 1,308 Days
• Field of Search: 703/14, 703/16, 703/17, 703/13, 702/67, 700/286, 700/22, 706/10, 706/46, 706/51, 706/59, 706/61
• US Class Current: 703/13
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2203/20 Simulating, e g planning, reliability check, modelling or computer assisted design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

A computer-implemented system analyzes user-inputted hypothetical situations of an electrical distribution network design and automatically interprets, based on user input, a need to conduct analyses that improve reliability of the electrical distribution network. The computer-implemented system includes a storage device configured to store different configurations of the distribution network, data corresponding to elements of the distribution network, and a set of engineering analysis modules. The computer-implemented system includes a controller configured to display and use a graphical user interface (GUI) to prompt a user to answer one or more questions about the distribution network. The controller is configured to receive answers and data from the user and retrieve data corresponding to elements of the distribution network. Then, the controller automatically selects and runs one or more of the engineering analysis modules based on the received answers. Moreover, the controller automatically performs a reliability analysis of the distribution network based on the retrieved network data. The user data may include an engineering analysis module selection. The controller is configured to access one or more engineering analysis modules based on the engineering analysis module selection by the user. Based on the received user data and retrieved distribution network data, the controller poses hypothetical situations to the user to determine a distribution network design that improves reliability.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented system for use in improving reliability of an electrical distribution network, the system comprising:

a storage device configured to store different configurations of the distribution network, data corresponding to elements of the distribution network, and a set of engineering analysis modules; and

a processor configured to;

display a graphical user interface (GUI),

use the GUI to prompt a user to answer one or more questions about the distribution network,

receive answers from the user,

retrieve data corresponding to elements of the distribution network,

automatically select and run one or more of the engineering analysis modules based on the received answers, and

automatically perform a reliability analysis of the distribution network based on the retrieved data.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein performing the reliability analysis comprises running one or more of the engineering analysis modules.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of engineering analysis modules comprises:

a reliability module that causes the processor to compute distribution network reliability indices,

a power flow module that causes the processor to compute load or power flow for three-phase balanced distribution networks,

a short circuit module that causes the processor to analyze currents and voltages in the distribution network for short circuit situations,

a protection module that causes the processor to coordinate action of overcurrent devices in the distribution network,

an unbalanced load flow module that causes the processor to compute load or power flow for three-phase unbalanced distribution networks,

a capacitor bank placement module that causes the processor to determine size and location of capacitor banks or voltage regulators, and

a harmonics module that causes the processor to calculate steady-state harmonic frequency levels throughout the distribution network.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising an external database associated with a utility company that supports the electrical distribution network.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the processor is configured to select and run an engineering analysis module included in the external database.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to display a visual representation of the distribution network.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the visual representation comprises a one-line circuit diagram.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to display commands and tools that enable the user to manipulate the visual representation.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to display results of the reliability analysis.

10. A computer-implemented system for use in improving reliability of an electrical distribution network, the system comprising:

a storage device configured to store different configurations of the distribution network, data corresponding to elements of the distribution network, and a set of engineering analysis modules; and

a controller configured to;

display a graphical user interface (GUI),

receive data from a user, the user data including an engineering analysis module selection,

retrieve data corresponding to elements of the distribution network,

access one or more engineering analysis modules based on the engineering analysis module selection,

based on received user data and retrieved distribution network data, compute reliability indices of the distribution network to improve distribution network reliability,

based on received user data and retrieved distribution network data, pose hypothetical situations to the user, and

determine a distribution network design that improves reliability based on one or more user responses to the hypothetical situations.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising an expert system that causes the controller to prompt the user to answer one or more questions about the distribution network, and automatically selects and runs one or more of the engineering analysis modules based on received answers.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the set of engineering analysis modules comprises:

a reliability module that causes the controller to compute distribution network reliability indices,

a power flow module that causes the controller to compute load or power flow for three-phase balanced distribution networks,

a short circuit module that causes the controller to analyze currents and voltages in the distribution network for short circuit situations,

a protection module that causes the controller to coordinate action of overcurrent devices in the distribution network,

an unbalanced load flow module that causes the controller to compute load or power flow for three-phase unbalanced distribution networks,

a capacitor bank placement module that causes the controller to determine size and location of capacitor banks or voltage regulators, and

a harmonics module that causes the controller to calculate steady-state harmonic frequency levels throughout the distribution network.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising an external database associated with a utility company that supports the electrical distribution network.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to select and run an engineering analysis module included in the external database.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to display a visual representation of the distribution network.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the visual representation comprises a one-line circuit diagram.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to display commands and tools that enable the user to manipulate the visual representation.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to display results of the computed reliability indices and the determined distribution network design that improves reliability.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein a reliability index comprises a frequency of outages in the distribution network.

20. The system of claim 10, wherein a reliability index comprises a duration of outages in the distribution network.

21. The system of claim 10, wherein the reliability indices comprise standard indices recommended by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).