DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN INTERFACE FOR A POWER UTILITY

Abstract

A device uses linking rules to process and optionally update a hierarchical substation model of a power system substation. The linking rules determine to which substation object at a first hierarchy level substation objects at a further hierarchy level of the hierarchical substation model are to be connected.

Claims

1. A device, comprising: a memory or storage device storing a hierarchical substation model of a power system substation, the hierarchical substation model including substation objects associated with at least two different hierarchy levels, the at least two different hierarchy levels including a first hierarchy level and a further hierarchy level lower than the first hierarchy level; a graphical user interface (GUI) adapted to display graphical representations of substation objects and adapted to allow a user to create and edit substation objects; wherein the memory or storage device stores linking rules that determine to which substation object at the first hierarchy level substation objects at the further hierarchy level are to be connected, and wherein the device is adapted to automatically control the GUI based on the stored linking rules when a new substation object at the further hierarchy level is created by the user via the GUI, wherein the device is adapted such that, if the substation object at the first hierarchy level does not yet exist when a new substation object at the further hierarchy level is created, the device (20) automatically creates the substation object at the first hierarchy level when the new substation object at the further hierarchy level is created.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the further hierarchy level corresponds to a bay.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the further hierarchy level corresponds to a diameter.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the further hierarchy level is a second hierarchy level and the hierarchical substation model further comprises a third hierarchy level, wherein the third hierarchy level corresponds to a diameter section.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first hierarchy level corresponds to a voltage level.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the hierarchical substation model includes a tree structure, optionally wherein the tree structure is in accordance with a substation section defined in International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61850-6.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is adapted such that, if the substation object at the first hierarchy level does not yet exist when a new substation object at the further hierarchy level is created, the GUI displays a graphical representation of the new substation object at the further hierarchy level that is automatically connected to the substation object at the first hierarchy level.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is adapted such that, if the substation object at the first hierarchy level already exists when the new substation object at the further hierarchy level is created, the GUI displays a graphical representation of the new substation object that is automatically connected to the substation object at the first hierarchy level.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the substation object at the first hierarchy level is a busbar.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the device is adapted to automatically display a graphical representation of a section of the busbar when a bay view of the power system substation is displayed.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the substation objects at the further hierarchy level are switching objects.

12. (canceled)

13. A method, comprising: displaying, based on a hierarchical substation model of a power system substation, graphical representations of substation objects via a graphical user interface (GUI) wherein the hierarchical substation model includes substation objects associated with at least two different hierarchy levels, the at least two different hierarchy levels including a first hierarchy level and a further hierarchy level lower than the first hierarchy level, and the GUI allows a user to create and edit substation objects; automatically creating the substation object at the first hierarchy level when a new substation object at the further hierarchy level is created and the substation object at the first hierarchy level does not yet exist when the new substation object at the further hierarchy level is created; and automatically controlling the GUI based on linking rules when a new substation object at the further hierarchy level is created by the user via the GUI, wherein the linking rules determine to which substation object at the first hierarchy level the created substation object at the further hierarchy level is to be connected.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the hierarchical substation model includes a tree structure in accordance with the substation section defined in International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61850-6.

15. (canceled)

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the further hierarchy level corresponds to a bay.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the further hierarchy level is a second hierarchy level that corresponds to a diameter, and the hierarchical substation model further comprises a third hierarchy level that corresponds to a diameter section.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the first hierarchy level corresponds to a voltage level.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the hierarchical substation model includes a tree structure in accordance with a substation section defined in International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61850-6.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying a graphical representation of the new substation object at the further hierarchy level that is automatically connected to the substation object at the first hierarchy level.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the substation object at the first hierarchy level is a busbar, and the method further comprises automatically displaying a graphical representation of a section of the busbar when a bay view of the power system substation is displayed.

22. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: display, based on a hierarchical substation model of a power system substation, graphical representations of substation objects via a graphical user interface (GUI) wherein the hierarchical substation model includes substation objects associated with at least two different hierarchy levels, the at least two different hierarchy levels including a first hierarchy level and a further hierarchy level lower than the first hierarchy level, and the GUI allows a user to create and edit substation objects; automatically create the substation object at the first hierarchy level when a new substation object at the further hierarchy level is created and the substation object at the first hierarchy level does not yet exist when the new substation object at the further hierarchy level is created; and automatically control the GUI based on linking rules when a new substation object at the further hierarchy level is created by the user via the GUI, wherein the linking rules determine to which substation object at the first hierarchy level the created substation object at the further hierarchy level is to be connected.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] The subject-matter of the present disclosure will be explained in more detail with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

[0061] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a device according to an embodiment.

[0062] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a hierarchical substation model.

[0063] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a Bay view of a substation.

[0064] FIGS. 4 and 5 are exemplary Bay views of a substation output in a method according to an embodiment.

[0065] FIGS. 6 and 7 represent portions of a hierarchical substation model in a method according to an embodiment.

[0066] FIG. 8 is flow chart of a method according to an embodiment.

[0067] FIG. 9 is flow chart of a method according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0068] Exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings in which identical or similar reference signs designate identical or similar elements. While some embodiments will be described in the context of a substation or a substation automation (SA) system, the methods and devices described in detail below may be used in a wide variety of system.

[0069] The features of embodiments may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

[0070] According to embodiments, a device uses linking rules to generate or update a hierarchical model of an asset, such as a substation.

[0071] The linking rules define to which object at a higher hierarchy level (e.g., Voltage level of the substation section defined in IEC 61850-6) elements (e.g., circuit breakers, disconnectors, switches or other switching elements) at a lower hierarchy level (e.g., Bay level of the substation section defined in IEC 61850-6 or a Diameter or Section modelled as “Bay” or “Function” in accordance with IEC 61850-6) are to be connected. The linking rules can be used to display sections of the ancestor object at the higher hierarchy level (e.g., sections of a Busbar) in a Bay view or Diameter view. The linking rules can additionally or alternatively be used to automatically modify the hierarchical model when a user edits a Bay view or Diameter view, for example. This can include the generation of an appropriate ancestor object in the hierarchical model when a new object is inserted via a graphical user interface (GUI).

[0072] This allows the user to edit or visualize an ancestor object (such as a Busbar) of a branch of the hierarchical model (such as switches in a Bay or Diameter) while a view of the Bay or Diameter is output via a graphical user interface.

[0073] The linking rules can be provided and stored in association with objects at the lower hierarchy levels, e.g., at the Bay level of the substation section defined in IEC 61850-6. The lower hierarchy levels may be Diameter or Section level. Diameters and Sections may be modelled as “Bays” or “Functions” in accordance with IEC 61850-6.

[0074] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a device 20 according to an embodiment. The device 20 comprises one or several integrated circuits (IC(s)) 22, a memory or storage device 21, and a GUI 23. The IC(s) 22 may include processors, microprocessors, controllers, microcontrollers, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or combinations thereof.

[0075] The memory or storage device 21 stores a hierarchical substation model 30 of a power system substation or another hierarchical model of an asset. While reference will be made to a power system substation, it will be appreciated that other assets may be modelled.

[0076] The hierarchical substation model 30 includes substation objects that are associated with at least two different hierarchy levels 31, 32, 33. The at least two different hierarchy levels include a first hierarchy level 31 and a further hierarchy level 32, 33 lower than the first hierarchy level 31.

[0077] The first hierarchy level 31 may, but does not need to be the top hierarchy level of the hierarchical model.

[0078] In an exemplary implementation, the first hierarchy level 31 may be the Voltage level. The second hierarchy level 32 may be the Bay level or Diameter level. The third hierarchy level 33 may be a Diameter section.

[0079] The memory or storage device 21 stores linking rules 40. The linking rules 40 may, but do not need to be permanently stored on the device 20. The linking rules 40 may be retrieved via a wide area network.

[0080] The linking rules 40 determine to which substation object at the first hierarchy level 31 substation objects at the further hierarchy level 32, 33 are to be connected. The linking rules 40 may define the information on the ancestor object in the hierarchical model 30 in association with the substation objects at the further hierarchy level 32, 33. For illustration, the linking rules 40 may define to which interconnecting structure (e.g., Busbar) switches, circuit breakers, disconnectors and/or any other object which serves to connect/disconnect power flow and/or voltage at the Bay or Diameter level are to be connected.

[0081] The linking rules 40 may be rules that are based on expert knowledge.

[0082] Alternatively or additionally, the linking rules 40 may be rules that are determined using machine learning techniques, e.g., based on previous configuring, commissioning, monitoring, or control use cases.

[0083] The linking rules 40 may be fixed rules that do not change during operation of the device 20 or may be subject to updates, e.g., when machine learning is implemented to update or improve the linking rules 40.

[0084] The device 20 may comprise an output control circuit 24. The output control circuit 24 may control the outputting of data for configuring, commissioning, monitoring, or controlling a substation or other asset based on the hierarchical model 30.

[0085] During operation of the device 20, the IC(s) 20 may use the linking rules 40 in various ways. For illustration, when the IC(s) 22 control the GUI 23 to display a Bay view or Diameter view of the substation, the IC(s) 22 may control the GUI 23 such that it automatically shows a section of a Busbar or other interconnecting structure on the Bay view or Diameter view, even when the Busbar or other interconnecting structure is an ancestor object that is modelled on a higher hierarchy level than the switching objects modelled at the Bay, Diameter or Section level. This may be done based on the linking rules 40.

[0086] Alternatively or additionally, when a user input is received via the GUI 23 that edits or adds an object at the Bay view or Diameter view, the IC(s) 20 may use the linking rules 40 to automatically create an ancestor object at the higher hierarchy level 31 if it does not yet exist. This ensures that the ancestor object (e.g., the Busbar or other interconnecting structure) is modelled correctly in an intuitive way at the higher hierarchy level at which it belongs.

[0087] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary tree structure of a hierarchical substation model. A top node 51 may define the substation. Nodes 52, 53 may represent Busbars that connect several Bays. Nodes 52, 53 may be at the Voltage level 61 and are ancestor nodes for objects at the Bay or Diameter level 62. Nodes 54-59 may represent switching objects, such as circuit breakers, disconnectors, or switches, at the Bay or Diameter level 62.

[0088] The device 20 may allow a user to open various views of the substation and may control the GUI 23 in dependence on the view that is to be output. On a Voltage level view, objects such as Busbars modelled at the Voltage level are displayed.

[0089] Importantly, when a Bay or Diameter level view is displayed via the GUI 23, the IC(s) 20 ensure that sections of the Busbars are also included in the output graphical representation, even when the Busbars are modelled at the higher Voltage level and not at the Bay or Diameter level. Thus, interconnecting objects modelled at the first hierarchy level 31, 61 of the hierarchical model can be visible on the GUI 23 even when a view of the lower hierarchy level objects, such as Bay level view, is being output.

[0090] The device 20 automatically displays sections of the Busbars in Bay or Diameter level view. This can be done automatically and without requiring any additional configuration effort from the user.

[0091] When a Busbar is added to the Bay in Bay view, the IC(s) 20 will automatically model the Busbar in the higher hierarchy level (Voltage level) to which it belongs, without duplicating the Busbar in the Bay level.

[0092] Intuitive, but topologically correct modelling is afforded by the device 20.

[0093] FIG. 3 is an exemplary Bay view of a substation output via GUI 23 under the control of the IC(s) 22. The Bay view shows representations of various switching objects QB1, QB2, QA1, QB9, QC) and transformers BC1, BC2. Sections of Busbars Main 1 and Main 2 are included in the Bay view in an intuitive manner, facilitating the engineer or other user to work with the device.

[0094] The use of the linking rules 40 by the IC(s) 22 is not limited to generating the views output via the GUI 23. The linking rules 40 may also be used during editing, in which case an ancestor object in the hierarchical model 30 may be created or modified even when the GUI 23 outputs a lower hierarchy level view (e.g., Bay or Diameter level).

[0095] FIGS. 4 and 5 are exemplary views of the GUI 23 in various stages during operation of the device 20 according to an embodiment. FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic views of the hierarchical substation model 30 in these operational stages.

[0096] FIG. 4 shows a Bay level view output via GUI 23. While Busbar Main 1 and switching object QB1 already exist and are included in the Bay level view, a switching object QB2 and the Busbar Main 2, which is its ancestor object at the Voltage level, is not yet included in the view on GUI 23 shown in FIG. 4.

[0097] When the view shown in FIG. 4 is edited to include the Busbar Main 2, the IC(s) 22 will automatically generate the respective data for the object Busbar Main 2 in the first hierarchy level 31 of the hierarchical substation model 30 in response to the user input via the GUI 23. Alternatively or additionally, the IC(s) 22 will automatically generate the respective data for the object Busbar Main 2 in the first hierarchy level 31 of the hierarchical substation model 30 when the user adds the switching object QB2 in the Bay view.

[0098] The generation of the object Busbar Main 2 is schematically indicated in the representations of the hierarchical substation model 30 in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0099] The generation of the object Busbar Main 2 is done automatically at the correct hierarchy level of the hierarchical substation model 30. The risk of incorrect modelling or incorrect configuring, commissioning, monitoring, or control of a substation is mitigated.

[0100] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method 70 according to an embodiment. The method 70 may be performed by the device 20.

[0101] At step 71, input from a GUI 23 is received by the IC(s) 22. The input may edit a Bay view or Diameter view of a substation.

[0102] At step 72, an object at a higher hierarchy level 31 (e.g., the Voltage level) of the hierarchical substation model 30 may be generated, even when the editing occurs while the Bay view or Diameter view is output via the GUI 23. It will be appreciated that objects that belong to the Bay level will continue to be modelled at the Bay level. The IC(s) 22 may use the linking rules 40 to determine at which hierarchy level a new object must be included in the hierarchical substation model 30.

[0103] At step 73, the IC(s) may control the GUI 23 to display at least part of the ancestor object that is modelled at a hierarchy level that is higher than Bay or Diameter level. The ancestor object may be a Busbar or another interconnecting structure that interconnects a plurality of Bays of the substation.

[0104] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method 80 according to an embodiment. The method 80 may be performed by the device 20.

[0105] At step 81, input from a GUI 23 is received by the IC(s) 22. The input may edit a Bay view or Diameter view of a substation, e.g., by adding a new object.

[0106] At step 82, it is determined whether an ancestor object at the higher hierarchy level already exists in the hierarchical substation model 30. A Busbar connecting to switching objects in the Bay view is an example for such an ancestor object. The Busbar is defined at the Voltage level, while the switching objects may be defined at the Bay or Diameter level.

[0107] At step 85, if the ancestor object already exists in the appropriate hierarchy level 31 of the hierarchical substation model 30, the GUI 23 is controlled to display at least part of the ancestor object that is modelled at a hierarchy level that is higher than Bay or Diameter level.

[0108] At step 82, if the ancestor object does not already exist in the appropriate hierarchy level 31 of the hierarchical substation model 30, the linking rules 82 are retrieved by the IC(s) 22.

[0109] At step 83, the linking rules are used by the IC(s) 22 to determine the type of ancestor object and optionally its connections to the switching object generated by the user input action at step 81.

[0110] At step 84, the ancestor object is automatically generated in the appropriate hierarchy level 31 of the hierarchical substation model 30.

[0111] At step 85, the GUI 23 may be controlled to display at least part of the ancestor object that is modelled at a hierarchy level that is higher than Bay or Diameter level.

[0112] The hierarchical substation model 30 may then be used to generate data for configuring, commissioning, monitoring, or controlling a power utility, e.g., a substation.

[0113] For illustration, the hierarchical substation model 30 generated by the device 20 may be used for displaying operational states or other configuration information relating to a power utility such as a substation in a control center for controlling or monitoring the power utility during ongoing operation.

[0114] While embodiments have been described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such description is to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed embodiments, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain elements or steps are recited in distinct claims does not indicate that a combination of these elements or steps cannot be used to advantage, specifically, in addition to the actual claim dependency, any further meaningful claim combination shall be considered disclosed.