Certain embodiments may generally relate to a smart fault detection device for power grids, and a method of fault detection for power grids. A method may include receiving raw data samples of currents in grounding conductors and line conductors. The method may also include processing the raw data samples under at least one of a plurality of system operating modes. The method may also include monitoring normal operation and anticipating an impending fault while operating under at least one of the system operating modes. The method may further include extracting fault information based on the monitoring. The method may also include reporting the fault information to a supervisory control and data acquisition system human-machine interface. The method may further include anticipating faults based on an analysis of the raw data samples.

Methods, systems, and computer readable media are disclosed for maintaining photovoltaic power plant reactive power capability, e.g., through the manipulation of direct current (DC) voltage. In some examples, A control system includes a monitor input for receiving a monitor signal indicative of an input voltage of an inverter system and a control output for outputting a control signal to a voltage-clipping device of a solar panel system supplying a solar output voltage to the inverter system. The control system includes a control circuit configured to perform operations comprising: determining, using the monitor signal, that the input voltage of the inverter system exceeds a threshold voltage; and in response to determining that the input voltage of the inverter system exceeds the threshold voltage, causing, using the control signal, the voltage-clipping device to reduce the solar output voltage by shorting out one or more photovoltaic solar cells of the solar panel system.

A power management method comprises: a step A of transmitting a first message from a power management server to a local control apparatus according to a first protocol, the power management server managing a facility connected to a power grid, the local control apparatus provided in the facility; a step B of transmitting a second message from the local control apparatus to the equipment according to a second protocol different from the first protocol; and a step C of transmitting a third message from the local control apparatus to the power management server according to the first protocol, the third message including specification information specifying a local control element which the equipment is capable of dealing with according to the second protocol. The specification information includes information specifying whether or not the equipment deals with a local control element indicating an operation state requesting setting for the equipment.

The setting range of the voltage and the reactive power of a power system is maintained during variations of voltage and power flow due to the output variation of renewable energy of a large number of power supplies which fluctuate due to weather. A voltage/reactive power operation assisting device is provided with a first database for storing the data to be evaluated, target value data, individual control device control method data, and individual control device data of an individual control device for adjusting the voltage/reactive power of a power system. A second database stores the device operation data of the individual control device; and the operation of the individual control device is predicted from the data stored in the first database to obtain individual control device operation prediction data. A display unit displays the individual control device operation prediction data and the device operation data in a contrastive manner.

Determination of information relating to a location of an electrical fault in an electrical energy distribution system based on phasor information is disclosed. A component can receive phasor information and electrical energy distribution system information. The system can determine a distance factor based on the phasor information. The distance factor can be employed to determine fault location information. A set of fault location information can be generated. Fault location information can be corrected for fault characteristics. Equivalent circuit models can be employed in determining the distance factor. Fault locations can be validated to facilitate generating subset of fault location information. Access to fault location information can be facilitated.

A system and method for measurement of one or more parameters of a power grid (10) is disclosed. This comprises determining a plurality of events in at least one power waveform on the power grid using at least two sensors (30, 50) and recording timings of the plurality of events in at least two different locations in the power grid. The data gathered is used to determine differences between the timings recorded in the at least two locations. A processing unit (40) is used to analyze the differences of the timings to determine the one or more parameters. These parameters include power flow, short circuits, and breaks in the power grid (10).

Embodiments of the present invention include control methods employed in multiphase distributed energy storage systems that are located behind utility meters typically located at, but not limited to, medium and large commercial and industrial locations. These distributed energy storage systems can operate semi-autonomously, and can be configured to develop energy control solutions for an electric load location based on various data inputs and communicate these energy control solutions to the distributed energy storage systems. In some embodiments, one or more distributed energy storage systems may be used to absorb and/or deliver power to the electric grid in an effort to provide assistance to or correct for power transmission and distribution problems found on the electric grid outside of an electric load location. In some cases, two or more distributed energy storage systems are used to form a controlled and coordinated response to the problems seen on the electric grid.

A centralized voltage control apparatus calculates an optimum voltage distribution in a centralized control cycle period and determines, based on the relationship between the optimum voltage distribution and a proper voltage range, voltage upper and lower limit values for which a command is issued to each local voltage control apparatus taking into account voltage upper and lower limit margin amounts at respective points in a voltage control responsible range of the local voltage control apparatus for each local voltage control apparatus. The local voltage control apparatus adjusts, based on the voltage upper and lower limit values commanded from the centralized voltage control apparatus via a communication network, a control amount of a voltage control device every local control cycle shorter than the centralized control cycle period, to maintain the control voltage of the voltage control device between the voltage upper and lower limit values.

The present invention relates to apparatus 30 for determining a condition of a network section 34 comprised in an electrical power network 32. The network section 34 is configured such that electrical power flows to or from each of plural locations in the network section. The apparatus 30 is configured to receive a first quantity in respect of a first location in the network section 34 and to receive a second quantity in respect of a second location in the network section, each of the first and second quantities corresponding to a signal amplitude and a signal phase angle at its respective location. The apparatus 30 comprises a processor 42 which is operative to determine a condition quantity corresponding to a loading condition of the network section 34 between the first and second locations in dependence on the first and second quantities.

Certain embodiments may generally relate to a smart fault detection device for power grids, and a method of fault detection for power grids. A method may include receiving raw data samples of currents in grounding conductors and line conductors. The method may also include processing the raw data samples under at least one of a plurality of system operating modes. The method may also include monitoring normal operation and anticipating an impending fault while operating under at least one of the system operating modes. The method may further include extracting fault information based on the monitoring. The method may also include reporting the fault information to a supervisory control and data acquisition system human-machine interface. The method may further include anticipating faults based on an analysis of the raw data samples.