Modular FACTS Devices with External Fault Current Protection

    公开(公告)号:US20200244062A1

    公开(公告)日:2020-07-30

    申请号:US16852048

    申请日:2020-04-17

    申请人: Smart Wires Inc.

    摘要: 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.

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

    公开(公告)号:US10559975B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-02-11

    申请号:US15997292

    申请日:2018-06-04

    申请人: Smart Wires Inc.

    IPC分类号: G05B15/02 H02J13/00 H02J3/18

    摘要: 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 (

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

    公开(公告)号:US10418814B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-09-17

    申请号:US15055422

    申请日:2016-02-26

    申请人: Smart Wires Inc.

    摘要: 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.

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

    公开(公告)号:US10283254B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-05-07

    申请号:US15981616

    申请日:2018-05-16

    申请人: Smart Wires Inc.

    摘要: 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.

    System and Method for Distributed Grid Control with Sub-Cyclic Local Response Capability

    公开(公告)号:US20170235286A1

    公开(公告)日:2017-08-17

    申请号:US15068397

    申请日:2016-03-11

    申请人: Smart Wires Inc.

    IPC分类号: G05B19/042

    摘要: 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 (

    Voltage or Impedance-Injection Method Using Transformers with Multiple Secondary Windings for Dynamic Power Flow Control

    公开(公告)号:US20170163245A1

    公开(公告)日:2017-06-08

    申请号:US15069785

    申请日:2016-03-14

    申请人: Smart Wires Inc.

    IPC分类号: H03H11/32

    摘要: 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.

    Transformers with Multi-Turn Primary Windings for Dynamic Power Flow Control

    公开(公告)号:US20170163036A1

    公开(公告)日:2017-06-08

    申请号:US15055422

    申请日:2016-02-26

    申请人: Smart Wires Inc.

    摘要: 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.

    Modular Facts Devices with External Fault Current Protection

    公开(公告)号:US20240195167A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-06-13

    申请号:US18399474

    申请日:2023-12-28

    申请人: Smart Wires Inc.

    摘要: 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.