Available Technologies

Executive Summary

Independent system operators who control the North American electric power grid need real-time or near real-time remedial action screening tools.  Current systems do not allow system operators to evaluate and respond to incidents, such as downed powerlines or power generators coming offline, in real-time. This can and often does lead to unnecessary electrical power disruption.  Technology developed at MSU provides a new analysis system for real-time remediation. It runs in parallel with current standard operating procedures to keep the grid in its proper equilibrium. 

Description of Technology

Michigan State University has developed a real-time remedial action screening tool that reduces the amount of calculation time required to determine which remedial actions will lead to a stable equilibrium in the power distribution system. The technology is capable of determining which remedial actions have a stable or unstable equilibrium solution, the bounds of this stability (or lack thereof), and which solutions to spend computational resources on to determine which remedial actions will keep the grid stable.

Key Benefits

• Operational Advantages
• Improvement upon current remedial action screening tools increases grid reliability
• Allows for smaller operating margins and more dynamic generating strategies to optimize fuel use and power generation
• Enhances advantages of new smart-grid technology
• Ease of Implementation
• Uses existing infrastructure and data to determine remedial actions with little new equipment required
• Implemented parallel to current remedial action tools

Applications

• Optimize and maintain power flow in utility-scale electricity grids
• All grid operators

Patent Status: 

Patent Pending, Patent Application Published US-2016-0041232

Licensing Rights Available

Full licensing rights available

Inventors: Joydeep Mitra

Tech ID: TEC2013-0042