In the heart of China, a groundbreaking development is set to revolutionize how power grids handle sudden, high-power shortages. A team of researchers, led by Zhang Qiang from the Shandong Electric Power Dispatching and Control Center, has pioneered an intelligent processing method that promises to enhance the stability and reliability of power grids, particularly those with multiple direct current (DC) inputs.
The challenge is significant. Traditional power grids often struggle with steady-state automatic and collaborative prevention and control measures. Issues like DC blocking, large unit tripping, and reliance on manual scheduling for rapid response from resources such as pumped storage and electrochemical energy storage can lead to frequency safety concerns, regional control deviations, and even the risk of load shedding. “The current system is akin to trying to navigate a complex maze with a blindfold,” Zhang Qiang explains. “Our method aims to remove that blindfold, allowing for swift and accurate decision-making.”
The new method automatically detects power grid shortages, calculates the total regulation demand, and allocates resources based on prioritized criteria. These criteria include resource availability, operating conditions, and unit capabilities, all while considering various safety constraints. The system generates control instructions that incorporate available capacity statistics, shortage startup judgment, regulation demand allocation, and control of pumped and energy storage systems. This approach enables the remote activation of multiple types of fast regulation resources, ensuring rapid stabilization of the grid during steady-state power shortages.
The impact of this technology is profound. The first domestic high-power-shortage intelligent processing system for power grids was developed and successfully implemented in a large-scale DC receiving-end provincial power grid. The control effect and reliability met all actual usage requirements, marking a significant leap from manual telephone scheduling to automatic intelligent processing. “This transition reduces decision-making time from minutes to seconds,” says Zhang Qiang, highlighting the efficiency gains. “It substantially improves fault-handling efficiency and ensures the stability of the power grid frequency and interconnection line power.”
The implications for the energy sector are vast. As power grids become more complex, with increasing integration of renewable energy sources, the need for intelligent, automated systems becomes ever more critical. This research, published in Dianli Jianshe (Electric Power Construction), sets a new standard for grid management, paving the way for broader adoption and implementation in other power grid systems worldwide.
The future of power grid management is here, and it’s intelligent, automated, and incredibly efficient. As Zhang Qiang and his team continue to refine and expand their technology, the energy sector stands on the brink of a new era, one where power shortages are managed with precision and speed, ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply for all.
