Study on technology system of self-healing control in smart distribution grid

Abstract

Smart distribution grid is an important part of smart grid, which connects the main network and user-oriented supply. As an “immune system”, self-healing is the most important feature of smart grid. Major problem of self-healing control is the ‘uninterrupted power supply problem’, that is, real-time monitoring of network operation, predicting the state power grid, timely detection, rapid diagnosis and elimination of hidden faults, without human intervention or only a few cases. First, the paper describes major problems, which are solved by self-healing control in smart distribution grid, and their functions. Then, it analysis the structure and technology components of self-healing control in smart distribution grid, including the base layer, support layer and application layer. The base layer is composed of the power grid and its equipments, which is the base for smart grid and self-healing control. The support layer is composed of the data and communication. High-speed, bi-directional, real-time and integrated communications system is the basis of achieving power transmission and the use of high efficiency, reliability and security, and the basis for intelligent distribution network and the key steps of self-prevention and self-recovery in distribution grid. The application layer is composed of Monitoring, assessment, pre-warning/analysis, decision making, control and restoration. Six modules are interconnected and mutual restraint. The application layer is important means of self-prevention and self-recovery in distribution grid. Through the research and analysis on the relationship and the technical composition of six modules in the application layer, the paper divides running states of smart grid distribution grid having self-healing capabilities into five states, which are normal state, warning state, critical state, emergency state and recovery state, and defines the characteristics and the relationship of each state. Through investigating and applying self-healing control in smart distribution grid, smart distribution grid can timely detect the happening or imminent failure and implement appropriate corrective action, so that it does not affect the normal supply or minimize their effects. Power supply reliability is improved observably and outage time is reduced significantly. Especially in extreme weather conditions, the distribution grid will give full play to its self-prevention and self-recovery capability, give priority to protecting people's life and provide electricity for the people furthest.