Technical Differentiators
The core GRIDfast analytical engine provides significant benefits compared to other tools in the market today. The following sub sections summarize these advantages.
Non-linear Optimization
The core of the GRIDfast product is a non-linear optimization and analysis technology that analyzes and optimizes the distribution electric network much more accurately. The non-linear optimization feature provides significant benefits compared to other approaches. These advantages are:
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Multi-Objective Optimization: Utilities plan and operate their grid with multiple goals in mind. These goals include factors such as cost, reliability and power quality. Traditional tools are single task tools that handle only one objective at a time. Often the actions suggested by these tools conflict with each other making these results impractical and non-implementable. GRIDfast’s non-linear optimization does not require any consideration of specific simplifications. Due to this reason, GRIDfast can handle multiple objectives within the same engine. This results in much more realistic results that conform to all the different considerations. They also make GRIDfast solutions practical and implementable.
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Accuracy: Traditional optimization tools use simple linear approximation based algorithms to solve optimization problems. However, the physics behind electrical networks make them non-linear in behavior. Since GRIDfast uses a non-linear optimization method, it uses a very accurate system model (full AC model) without any linearization. This produces much more accurate results compared to existing tools.
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Combined Active and Reactive Power Optimization: Traditional tools solve electrical network active (MWs) and reactive (MVArs) considerations separately. This simplification assumes that active and reactive power do not interact with each other. However, this assumption is not accurate, especially when the electrical network is heavily loaded (as is the case with most networks). Such assumption ignores possible simple solutions involving reactive power controls that may solve an active power problem or vice versa. Due to its non-linear nature, GRIDfast can optimize both active (MWs) and reactive power (MVArs) together. This means that, unlike other tools, the effects of reactive power controls on active power objectives and constraints can be analyzed using GRIDfast.
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3-Phase Unbalanced Analysis: Most tools in the market use single phase balanced equivalent network representation, which is acceptable for transmission systems. However, distribution networks contain 3 phase, 2 phase or single phase feeders and components. Representing them as a single phase equivalent network is highly inaccurate. GRIDfast uses a 3-phase unbalanced system model for the analysis of the distribution network. This makes GRIDfast’s results very accurate and realistic.
Fine-grained system modeling
GRIDfast can model an electric power system from generator to the customer premise, and then optimize and analyze it. The platform has the capability to handle transmission and distribution networks independently or together. That means in the same system model, effects of large and small generators can be analyzed and optimized.
Capability to handle large amounts of data fast
GRIDfast can analyze and optimize large power systems very quickly at close to real-time speeds. This provides a significant advantage since complete distribution network models can be used for analysis in real-time.
Resource Ranking
During optimization, GRIDfast ranks each and every asset based on its sensitivity towards improving one or more of the prescribed system objectives. This ranking can be used to prioritize system improvements and optimize distributed generator and demand response dispatch. It can also be used for prioritized control of capacitors and voltage regulators in operation scenarios.
Open System
The GRIDfast platform is built using standard and open technologies. Furthermore, it communicates with third party systems using open technologies. Wherever possible GRIDfast will provide standard based APIs for third party systems to communicate with it.
To summarize, the GRIDfast platform provides unparalleled capability to model, analyze and optimize large fine-grained electric networks from generator to individual homes.