Autonomous Control for Critical Grid Infrastructure
An advanced software solution to address critical vulnerabilities and transforming distribution grids and microgrids into resilient, self-sufficient systems.
Industry Challenge
Critical sections of distribution grids and microgrids face significant challenges in maintaining a stable power supply, especially under conditions of RES proliferation. These challenges are exacerbated by extreme weather events, cyber-physical attacks, and grid failures, which threaten the continuity of operations. Traditional grid management systems often lack the agility and robustness needed to ensure uninterrupted power in such conditions, leaving essential infrastructure vulnerable to disruptions and increasing the risk of significant economic and national security impacts.
Global change and the increasing impact on grid stability and resilience
Solution
Our autonomous power grid management software optimises power system operations under normal conditions (e.g., minimising operational costs and maximising energy efficiency) and ensures stable, autonomous operation during disruptions (e.g., grid failures).
By leveraging distributed energy resources, energy storage systems, and advanced predictive dispatch algorithms, the system preemptively prepares for potential threats and extreme conditions (e.g., storms or cyber intrusions) and rapidly stabilises the system under management in response to sudden disturbances like equipment failures or unexpected load and generation changes.
The solution’s dynamic real-time control capabilities enable seamless transitions between grid-connected and islanded modes, maintaining continuous power supply, voltage, and frequency stability, and safeguarding critical infrastructure from disruptions.
Safeguarding grid stability with autonomous control
Key Characteristics
- Autonomous Grid Operation: Empowers critical sections of distribution grids and microgrids to operate independently, maintaining power stability and continuity during disruptions.
- Predictive Dispatch and Dynamic Control: Predictive analytics to pre-dispatch resources in anticipation of disruptions and millisecond-level real-time control to manage voltage and frequency, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
- Mode Transitions: Facilitates efficient and seamless transitions between grid-connected and islanded modes, ensuring uninterrupted operation. This capability allows the system to re-establish connection with the main grid without shutdowns or disruptions once stability is restored.
- Advanced Time Synchronisation and PMU Integration: Leverages time synchronisation protocols (e.g., IEEE 1588 and C37.118) and PMUs to ensure precise, real-time monitoring and control.
- Enhanced Resilience and Security: The solution is highly scalable and designed for seamless integration with existing grid infrastructure. It supports a wide range of communication protocols and industry standards, including IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5-104, Modbus, DNP3, IEEE 2030.5, IEEE Std 2800-2022 and IEEE Std 2030.-2017 making it adaptable to diverse and critical environments.
