System and method for a self-healing grid using demand side management techniques and energy storage

• US 7,389,189 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2006
• Issued: 06/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VRB Enery Inc.
• Original Assignee: VRB Power Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Williams, Bradley R., Hennessy, Timothy David John
• Primary Examiner(s): Nghiem; Michael P
• Application Number:
  US11/584,897
• Publication Number:
  US 20070219755A1
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 702/58, 702/60, 702/61, 702/63, 702182-185
• US Class Current: 702/60
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00009 using pulsed signals
• 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 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/10 Flexible AC transmission systems [FACTS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/70 Smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the energy generation sector
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/14 Energy storage units
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/50 Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/52 Outage or fault management, e.g. fault detection or location
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission

Abstract

A self-healing power grid control system includes a power grid having a plurality of network islands with a plurality of linear and non-linear loads. A plurality of control sensors communicate with the power grid to monitor the electrical characteristics of the power grid. A plurality of controlled relays are in electrical communication with the plurality of non-linear loads. A battery energy storage system (ESS) is in electrical communication with a main power source and a network island. A first restoration controller is in electrical communication with the control sensors, the controlled relays, and with the battery ESS. The first restoration controller receives control signals from the control sensors, and in response to detecting an irregularity in the power grid, automatically actuates the battery ESS to stabilize power to the linear loads, and disconnects selected controlled relays to disconnect power to a calculated percentage of the non-linear loads.

Claims

1. A method for power grid control, comprising:

monitoring electrical characteristics, including critical electrical components, of a plurality of islands of a power grid;

estimating state and topology of the islands with the monitored electrical characteristics through computer simulation of power flow through the power grid;

detecting an irregularity in an affected island based on the estimated state and topology; and

optimizing electrical power delivery to each island based on the estimated state and topology, or in response to the detected irregularity, by automatically adjusting the amount of additional power available through a battery energy storage system in electrical communication with the affected island.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the battery energy storage system is a vanadium redox battery.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of islands are defined according to a computer simulation of load data of the power grid matched with a set of specific power delivery priorities.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising implementing a dynamic algorithm that uses the battery energy storage system to voltage compensate against a plurality of set points fed to the algorithm from a corresponding plurality of locations in the grid island.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising implementing an iterative algorithm to continuously adjust the battery energy storage system'"'"'s output by determining optimal times and durations to charge and discharge the battery energy storage system.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying the nature of the irregularity;

assessing the severity and potential consequences of the irregularity;

identifying corrective actions with simulations of the irregularity extrapolated throughout the power grid;

deciding an effective corrective action; and

employing automated demand side management control techniques to disconnect power to a calculated percentage of non-linear loads of the affected island and to stabilize power delivery to the remaining connected loads, whereby extending the duration of islanded operation.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein deciding the most effective corrective action includes interacting with consumers.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising automatically implementing the effective corrective action upon identification of the corrective action.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the irregularity is a tripped isolation breaker, that isolates the island from a main power source, and wherein employing automated demand side management control techniques further includes automatically turning on the battery energy storage system to temporarily replace the main power source.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising detecting affected island stabilization and employing synchronization control to close the tripped isolation breaker.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising reconnecting power to the disconnected non-linear loads.

12. The method of claim 6, further comprising, in response to detecting restoration and stabilization of the affected island with a main power source, recharging the battery energy storage system.

13. A computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for performing a method for power grid control, the method comprising:

monitoring electrical characteristics, including critical electrical components, of a plurality of islands of a power grid;

estimating state and topology of the islands with the monitored electrical characteristics through computer simulation of power flow through the power grid;

detecting an irregularity in an affected island based on the estimated state and topology; and

optimizing electrical power delivery, controlling voltage and frequency, to each island based on the estimated state and topology, or in response to the detected irregularity, by automatically adjusting the amount of additional power available through a battery energy storage system in electrical communication with the affected island.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 13, the method further comprising implementing a dynamic algorithm that uses the battery energy storage system to voltage compensate against a plurality of set points fed to the algorithm from a corresponding plurality of locations in the grid island.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 13, the method further comprising implementing an iterative algorithm to continuously adjust the battery energy storage system'"'"'s output by determining optimal times and durations to charge and discharge the battery energy storage system.

16. A method for power grid control of a power grid having linear and non-linear loads, the method comprising:

in response to detecting a power grid irregularity, automatically;

identifying the nature of the irregularity;

assessing the severity and potential consequences of the irregularity;

identifying corrective actions with simulations of the irregularity extrapolated within an affected portion of the power grid;

deciding an effective corrective action; and

turning on a battery energy storage system to replace a disconnected main power source or augment a disrupted main power source; and

employing automated demand side management control techniques to disconnect power to a calculated percentage of non-linear loads of the affected grid portion and stabilize power delivery to a plurality of remaining connected loads.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein detecting a power grid irregularity includes anticipating a power grid irregularity before the irregularity occurs.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein in response to detecting power grid stabilization, the method further comprising reconnecting power to the disconnected non-linear loads.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the irregularity is a tripped isolation breaker, the method further comprising detecting power grid stabilization and employing synchronization control to close the tripped isolation breaker.

20. A computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for performing a method for power grid control of a power grid having linear and non-linear loads, the method comprising:

in response to detecting a power grid irregularity, automatically;

identifying the nature of the irregularity;

assessing the severity and potential consequences of the irregularity;

identifying corrective actions with simulations of the irregularity extrapolated within an affected portion of the power grid;

deciding an effective corrective action; and

turning on a battery energy storage system to replace a disconnected main power source or augment a disrupted main power source; and

employing automated demand side management control techniques to disconnect power to a calculated percentage of non-linear loads of the affected grid portion and stabilize power delivery to a plurality of remaining connected loads.