Smart Wires Inc.

Abb Schweiz Ag

Debrup Das

Haroon Inam

Amrit Iyer

Ali Farahani

Sandeep Bala

Arthur Kelley

David Munguia

Joe Carrow

Frank Kreikebaum

Aaron Zhao

Kamil Bojanczyk

Aaron Zhou

Amrit Iyet

Flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) enabling distributed controls is a requirement for power transmission and distribution, to improve line balancing and distribution efficiency. These FACTS devices are electronic circuits that vary in the type of services they provide. All FACTS devices have internal circuitry to handle fault currents. Most of these circuits are unique in design for each manufacturer, which make these FACTS devices non-modular, non-interchangeable, expensive and heavy. One of the most versatile FACTS device is the static synchronous series compensator (SSSC), which is used to inject impedance into the transmission lines to change the power flow characteristics. The addition of integrated fault current handling circuitry makes the SSSC and similar FACTS devices unwieldy, heavy, and not a viable solution for distributed control. What is disclosed are modifications to FACTS devices that move the fault current protection external to the FACTS device and make them modular and re-usable.

Modular facts devices with external fault current protection

A system architecture and method for enabling hierarchical intelligent control with appropriate-speed communication and coordination of control using intelligent distributed impedance/voltage injection modules, local intelligence centers, other actuator devices and miscellaneous FACTS coupled actuator devices is disclosed. Information transfer to a supervisory utility control is enabled for responding to integral power system disturbances, system modelling and optimization. By extending the control and communication capability to the edge of the HV power grid, control of the distribution network through FACTS based Demand response units is also enabled. Hence an integrated and hierarchical total power system control is established with distributed impedance/voltage injection modules, local intelligence centers, connected other actuator devices, miscellaneous FACTS coupled devices and utility supervisory all networked at appropriate speeds allowing optimization of the total power system from generation to distribution.

Dynamic and integrated control of total power system using distributed impedance injection modules and actuator devices within and at the edge of the power grid

Modular FACTS devices with external fault current protection

Distributed series reactance modules and active impedance injection modules that are adapted to operating with electric power transmission lines over a wide range of transmission voltages are disclosed. Key elements include a virtual ground, an enclosure that acts as a Faraday shield, radio frequency or microwave control methods and the use of corona rings.

Voltage agnostic power reactor

A modular power flow control system is described for optimizing power flow control in a multi-phase power transmission system. Identical impedance injection modules are arranged in an m&#xd7;n matrix, where m is the number of series-connected modules inserted into each phase (forming a leg of the installed bank of modules), and n is the number of parallel-connected legs per phase. Each impedance injection module in a phase is configurable to collectively insert a pre-determined (controllable) power control waveform into the phase to which it is attached. The modular flow control system is agile with respect to configurability, reconfigurability, maintenance, size, weight, and cost.

Agile deployment of optimized power flow control system on the grid

Distributed static synchronous series compensators (DSSSCs) which may also be designated tower routers capable of injecting series inductive or capacitive impedances to enable distributed power-flow control. When a large number of these (a fleet of) DSSSCs are distributed over the grid for power-flow control, it is necessary to ensure that coordinated communication and control capabilities are also established, enabling fast reaction to changes that can exist across the grid. A system architecture and method for enabling localized high-speed low-latency intelligent control with communications between subsections (local network) of the grid along with communication to the central Grid operations center at the utility for supervisory control is disclosed herein. The architecture provides sub-cyclic (&#x3c; 1/60 of a second) response capability, using the local DSSSCs with high-speed communication at the local network level to power-system disturbances, such as power-oscillation damping (POD), sub-synchronous resonance (SSR) etc.

System and method for distributed grid control with sub-cyclic local response capability

Active impedance-injection module enabled for distributed power flow control of high-voltage (HV) transmission lines is disclosed. The module uses transformers with multi-turn primary windings, series-connected to high-voltage power lines, to dynamically control power flow on those power lines. The insertion of the transformer multi-turn primary is by cutting the line and splicing the two ends of the winding to the ends of the cut high-voltage transmission line. The secondary winding of the transformer is connected to a control circuit and a converter/inverter circuit that is able to generate inductive and capacitive impedance based on the status of the transmission line. The module operates by extracting power from the HV transmission line with the module floating at the HV transmission-line potential. High-voltage insulators are typically used to suspend the module from transmission towers, or intermediate support structures. It may also be directly suspended from the HV transmission line.

Transformers with multi-turn primary windings for dynamic power flow control

This patent discloses an active impedance-injection module for dynamic line balancing of a high-voltage (HV) transmission line. The impedance-injection module comprises a plurality of transformers each having a primary winding in series with a HV transmission line. Each transformer also has secondary windings, each connected to an individual electronic converter. The plurality of secondary windings are electrically isolated from the associated primary winding and extract power from the HV transmission line for operation of the converters and other circuits connected to the secondary windings. The active impedance-injection module is enabled to generate a controlled impedance, inductive or capacitive, to be impressed on the HV transmission line. A plurality of active impedance-injection modules spatially distributed on a HV transmission line are enabled to inject a controlled cumulative impedance on a HV transmission line while limiting the capacity of individual converters to that achievable with practical electronic components.

Voltage or impedance-injection method using transformers with multiple secondary windings for dynamic power flow control

The power transmission tower mounted series injection transformer (TMIT) injects impedance and/or voltage on a transmission tower power line. A tension bearing tower uses vertical and horizontal insulators to support and stabilize the TMIT. The TMIT can be much heavier than a transformer device clamped to the high-voltage transmission line. The TMIT is connected in series with the tension bearing tower's jumper allowing it to use a multi-turn transformer. By operating at the line voltage potential, the TMIT does not require the large bushings and oil drums used by sub-station injection transformers.

Power transmission tower mounted series injection transformer

Disclosed is a method for reducing the variation in voltage, due to Ferranti effect, using the impedance injection capability of distributed impedance injection modules. The Ferranti effect is an increase in voltage occurring at the receiving end of a long transmission line in comparison to the voltage at the sending end. This effect is more pronounced on longer lies and underground lines when the high-voltage power lines are energized with a very low load, when there is a change from a high load to a very light load, or the load is disconnected from the high-voltage power lines of the power grid. This effect creates a problem for voltage control at the distribution end of the power grid.

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Union City, CA, United States of America

Debrup Das