Abstract: This disclosure pertains to systems and methods to improve fault tolerance and hardware utilization in a software defined network (SDN) that includes hosts communicating with parallel redundancy protocol (PRP). In one embodiment, a network comprising a plurality of switches and interconnected using a plurality of physical links may connect a first communication host, a second communication host, and an SDN controller. The SDN controller may include a PRP optimization subsystem to identify parallel communication paths between the first communication host and the second communication host that utilize distinct physical communication links. The SDN controller may also include a traffic routing subsystem to create a plurality of communication flows between the first communication host and the second communication host utilizing the distinct physical communication links.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to systems and methods for identifying and configuring a host in a software defined network (SDN) configured to communicate using a parallel redundancy protocol (PRP). In one embodiment, a system may include a first communication host and a second communication host configured to transmit information through a network. An SDN controller in communication with the network may include a PRP identification subsystem to monitor traffic transmitted by the first communication host to the second communication host, determine that the traffic comprises at least one data packet that conforms to PRP. Upon detection of a host configured to use PRP, a traffic routing subsystem creates a plurality of communication flows between the first communication host and the second communication host to route PRP traffic between the first communication host and the second communication host.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein to accommodate different settings associated with a converter-based electric power generator and an inverter-based electric power generator for electric power generation within an electric power delivery system. The electric power delivery system may provide electric power generated by a bulk electric system to the loads via distributed substations using a first operating frequency. Moreover, the distributed substations may include inverter-based electric power generators to supply the electric power demand of downstream loads in an islanded configuration. That said, the inverter-based electric power generators may supply the electric power using a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency. Protective systems, positioned downstream from the distributed substations, may use different settings associated with the bulk electric system or the inverter-based electric power generators based on detecting the frequency of the supplied electric power.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus presented herein are directed toward monitoring an electric power delivery system to detect and locate a power generation event. A power generation event may include a tripped generator, a loss of a transmission line, or other loss of power generation. To detect the event, an analysis engine may receive and monitor input data. A detection signal may be generated based on the input data. Upon detecting the event, the analysis engine may determine a source and propagation of the event through the delivery system. Based on the source and propagation of the event, the analysis engine may determine the location of the event. The analysis engine may generate an overlay with the input data to provide the location and other information about the event to a user such that remedial action can be taken to resolve the event and restore the lost power generation.

Abstract: An intelligent electronic device (IED) of an electric power delivery system includes processing circuitry a memory that includes instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, are configured to cause the processing circuitry to receive first data via parallel redundancy protocol (PRP), generate a first integrity check value using a media access control security (MACsec) integrity check function based on the first data, receive second data via PRP, generate a second integrity check value using the MACsec integrity function based on the second data, compare the first integrity check value and the second integrity check value with one another, and output a notification in response to determining that the first integrity check value and the second integrity check value do not match one another.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provide for determining a failure in a potential transformer and identifying a phase of the potential transformer exhibiting failure. The failures may be incipient failures. Detecting the failure may include determining voltage magnitudes and angles; determining phase-errors; determining phase-phase errors; and determining an uncorrelated phase using the phase-phase errors. The devices and methods may provide an alarm or indication of the phase exhibiting the potential transformer failures. Post processing may be performed to optimize the time and amount of provided alarms or indications. The voltage angles and magnitudes may be provided by the potential transformers being monitored.

Abstract: An electric power delivery system may include a number of electric power generators and loads distributed across a number of islands (e.g., branches). The electric power delivery system may also include reactors between each two islands of the electric power delivery system that may allow current flow between the islands. However, excessive current flow across the reactors may cause system failure and is undesirable. Accordingly, systems and methods are described to control reactive power and active power generation and consumption of the electric power delivery system to reduce (e.g., minimize) the current flow across the reactors.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus presented herein are directed toward monitoring an electric power delivery system to detect and locate a power generation event. A power generation event may include a tripped generator, a loss of a transmission line, or other loss of power generation. To detect the event, an analysis engine may receive and monitor input data. A detection signal may be generated based on the input data. Upon detecting the event, the analysis engine may determine a source and propagation of the event through the delivery system. Based on the source and propagation of the event, the analysis engine may determine the location of the event. The analysis engine may generate an overlay with the input data to provide the location and other information about the event to a user such that remedial action can be taken to resolve the event and restore the lost power generation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods to conduct a fuzzer test on a device under test and configured for use in an electric power system. In one embodiment, a system may include a configuration subsystem to receive a parameter of the device under test. A fuzzer subsystem in communication with the configuration subsystem may be configured to conduct a fuzzer test on the device under test. The fuzzer subsystem may include a fuzzer state machine to generate input data to deliver to the device under test, a packet buffer to store input data generated by the fuzzer state machine, and a packet regulator to deliver input data generated by the fuzzer state machine based the parameter. A physical interface in communication with the packet regulator may transmit input data to the device under test based on the parameter.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for identifying multiple faults across multiple phases of a multi-phase and/or multi-section capacitor bank. A protection device may measure various voltages and currents within the capacitor bank. A phase angle of the measured voltages and currents may be used to determine a location of the faults therein. For example, a phase angle of a compensated unbalance voltage may be compared to a phase angle of a positive-sequence voltage of the capacitor bank. A logic controller may use a difference between the phase angle of the compensated unbalance voltage and the phase angle of the positive-sequence voltage to determine a location (e.g., a phase and/or a section of the capacitor bank) of the faults in the capacitor bank.

Abstract: Residual voltage measurements taken after removal of electric power to an electric motor are used to improve the functioning of an electric motor monitoring system. For example, an intelligent electronic device (IED) may acquire residual voltage measurements of a motor after disconnected electric power to the motor. The IED may determine a thermal condition of the motor based at least in part on the residual voltage measurement. The IED may prevent starting of the motor based at least in part on the thermal condition.

Abstract: A microgrid power flow monitoring and control system is described herein. The control system may determine active and reactive power sharing shortage on the electric power delivery system. The control system may utilize the control strategies of generation units, such as ISO control, droop control and constant power control to estimate power flow within a microgrid or other isolated system. A control strategy of one or more generators may be modified based on the determined power flow.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium includes instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, are configured to cause the processing circuitry to operate in a recovery mode after initiating a startup operation, transmit a data frame to a device of an electric power delivery system during the recovery mode, the data frame indicating a request for a security association key (SAK), receive the SAK from the device in response to transmitting the data frame, and use the SAK to communicate data via a media access control security (MACsec) communication link.

Abstract: A software-defined network (SDN) rule modification counter system provides counters that track all changes and edits to rules at SDN controllers and SDN switches on an SDN. The system compares counters at the SDN controller and SDN switch to determine if they match. If the counters do not match, a change has been made to the rules. With the addition of rule edit statistics the SDN controller will now have visibility that a rule modification was performed. The SDN controller then verifies that the state of the device is the same as its expected state as a secondary integrity check. Based on the rule modification notification, changes to a central rules table at the SDN controller and changes to rule settings at the SDN switch are made according to pre-programmed logic.

Abstract: A DC power supply may use an input supply surge protection circuit that may be robust against positive and negative power surges. DC power may be provided through a first unidirectional circuit component such as a diode or selectively controlled MOSFET coupled in parallel with a transient voltage suppressor or Zener diode. The first unidirectional circuit component may have a first voltage rating and the transient voltage suppressor or Zener diode may have a second voltage rating lower than the first voltage rating. This may allow current to flow backward over the transient voltage suppressor or Zener diode to protect the first unidirectional circuit component from exposure to voltage beyond the first voltage rating in a power surge.

Abstract: A system to reconfigure a motor from induction mode to synchronous mode at a zero crossing of the field voltage during startup using only stator current signals is described herein. The zero crossing may be detected by asymmetry induced in the stator currents by a current asymmetry inducing module of the motor. The current asymmetry inducing module may include a resistor and diode in series and in parallel with a discharge resistor of the field windings. Asymmetry is induced in the current obtained from the stator, and used to determine a zero crossing of the field voltage. Upon the rotor reaching a startup frequency and the detected zero-crossing of the field voltage, the motor may be reconfigured from induction mode to synchronous mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods to estimate trapped charge for a controlled automatic reclose of a power line using a ganged switching device are described herein. For example, an intelligent electronic device (IED) may calculate a voltage amount associated with trapped charge of each phase of a power line based on voltage measurements of the power line. The IED may send a signal to close a ganged switching device at a time based at least in part on the trapped charge of each phase of a power line.

Abstract: A key server device obtains authorization information of a user associated with an intelligent electronic device (IED). The key server communicates the authorization information to the IED, via a Media Access Control Security (MACsec) Key Agreement (MKA) protocol to allow the IED to authenticate the user. The key server receives one or more commands from the user. The key server communicates the one or more commands to the IED to allow the IED to perform operations based on the one or more commands.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided to control an electrical component of an electric power distribution system with an intelligent electronic device using electrical measurements from a wireless electrical measurement device located away from the electrical component. One such system includes a capacitor bank on a lateral of an electric power distribution system, a first set of one or more wireless electrical measurement devices that obtain one or more electrical measurements of a first feeder of the electric power distribution system, and a capacitor bank controller. The capacitor bank controller may use the one or more electrical measurements of the first feeder to control the capacitor bank on the lateral.

Abstract: Current measurement devices for printed circuit board mounting are disclosed herein. The current measurement devices include a hollow and flexible core to improve response to a primary signal and decrease weight. The current measurement device includes a housing with guides to maintain alignment of the core. An electromagnetic shield may be placed between the circumference of the core and the housing. The housing may include apertures to facilitate washing. The current measurement device may include a primary conductor external to the housing.