Electrical power networks

Abstract

A method of determining a communication time delay in a communication network between a local terminal and one or more remote terminals within an electrical power network includes: selecting, in respect of the or each remote terminal a calculation node in the electrical power network; calculating respective node currents flowing into the corresponding calculation node from the local terminal and the or each remote terminal; equating, in respect of the or each remote terminal, a sum of node currents flowing into the corresponding calculation node to zero according to Kirchhoff's first law; and extracting, in respect of the or each remote terminal, a communication time delay between the local terminal and the said respective remote terminal from a corresponding equated sum of node currents.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to European Application No. 15275158, filed Jun. 19, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a method of determining a communication time delay in a communication network between a local terminal and one or more remote terminals within an electrical power network.

Synchronization techniques play a very important role in line differential protection schemes which help to protect transmission lines within an electrical power system by identifying when a fault occurs in relation to the transmission lines. The basic principle of line differential protection is based on a comparison of a differential current (which is the direct summation of current samples or phasors of both a local and a remote terminal in the electrical power system) with a bias current (which is the summation of the amplitude of currents of both the local and remote terminals).

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a method of determining a communication time delay in a communication network between a local terminal and one or more remote terminals within an electrical power network. The method includes selecting, in respect of the or each remote terminal a calculation node in the electrical power network; calculating respective node currents flowing into the corresponding calculation node from the local terminal and the or each remote terminal; equating, in respect of the or each remote terminal, a sum of node currents flowing into the corresponding calculation node to zero according to Kirchhoff's first law; and extracting, in respect of the or each remote terminal, a communication time delay between the local terminal and the said respective remote terminal from a corresponding equated sum of node currents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a first example electrical power network having a local terminal and a single remote terminal;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a second example electrical power network having a local terminal, a single junction and a plurality of remote terminals to which a method according to a first embodiment of the invention may be applied;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of an equivalent version of the second example electrical power network shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a third example electrical power network having a local terminal, a plurality of junctions and a plurality of remote terminals to which a method according to a second embodiment of the invention may be applied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The basic principle of line differential protection is based on a comparison of a differential current (which is the direct summation of current samples or phasors of both a local and a remote terminal in the electrical power system) with a bias current (which is the summation of the amplitude of currents of both the local and remote terminals), that is:

$\{\begin{array}{c}{I}_{\mathrm{diff}}=\left|{\stackrel{.}{I}}_L+{\stackrel{.}{I}}_R\right|\\ I_{\mathrm{bias}}=\frac{1}{2}\left(\left|{\stackrel{.}{I}}_L\right|+\left|{\stackrel{.}{I}}_R\right|\right)\end{array}\hspace{1em}$ where

I_diff is differential current;

I_bias is bias current;

I_L is measured current at the local terminal; and

I_R is the measured current received from the remote terminal.

If the received current from the remote terminal is strictly synchronized with the local current, then the differential current should be very small (theoretically zero) as there is no internal fault on the interconnecting transmission line. However, one must consider the time latency of the received current samples from the remote terminal compared with the current samples of the local terminal due to a delay imparted by communication of the measured current at the remote terminal from the remote terminal to the local terminal, and also the un-synchronized sampling of the current at the remote terminal. This time latency can lead to a significant increase in differential current, which in turn can result in mal-operation of the differential protection if an external fault occurs.

It is, therefore, necessary to employ a synchronization technique to enable time alignment of the local terminal current with the received current from the remote terminal. Traditionally Global Positioning System (GPS) based and echo-based processes, such as so-called ‘Ping-Pong’ techniques, have been used for synchronization, where GPS functions as the dominant synchronization element and Ping-Pong as a backup.

It is evident that GPS can provide synchronization which is adaptive not only for non-switched but also for switched communication networks. However, it is very costly and additionally, if the GPS signal is lost, it can lead to mal-operation. Meanwhile the Ping-Pong technique can only function correctly for non-switched networks where the forward and return communication paths are the same (i.e. the time delay from the local terminal to the remote terminal is the same as the delay from the remote terminal to the local terminal).

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of determining a communication time delay in a communication network between a local terminal and one or more remote terminals within an electrical power network comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting, in respect of the or each remote terminal, a calculation node in the electrical power network;

(b) calculating respective node currents flowing into the corresponding calculation node from the local terminal and the or each remote terminal;

(c) equating, in respect of the or each remote terminal, a sum of node currents flowing into the corresponding calculation node to zero according to Kirchhoff's first law; and

(d) extracting, in respect of the or each remote terminal, a communication time delay between the local terminal and the said respective remote terminal from a corresponding equated sum of node currents.

Equating, in respect of the or each remote terminal, a sum of node currents flowing into the corresponding calculation node to zero (and thereafter extracting a communication time delay from such an equated sum of node currents), i.e. utilising Kirchhoff's first law, is advantageous because it helps to isolate the method of the invention, and the or each communication time delay obtained thereby, from errors which might otherwise adversely affect the aforementioned differential current I_diff and thereafter lead to erroneous activation of an associated differential protection scheme.

In particular, a consideration instead of differences in calculated voltages at a chosen calculation node in an electrical power network in order to establish a communication time delay can create a larger error in the differential current I_diff value calculated therefrom as a result of only minor errors in the calculated voltages.

Preferably step (b) of calculating respective node currents flowing into the corresponding calculation node from the local terminal and the or each remote terminal includes calculating in respect of the or each remote terminal a corresponding remote node current flowing into the corresponding calculation node from the said remote terminal and a corresponding equivalent node current representative of the current flowing into the corresponding calculation node from the local terminal and any other remote terminals.

Such a step, and more particularly the calculation in respect of the or each remote terminal of a corresponding remote node current and a corresponding equivalent node current, provides the method of the invention with a desired degree of scalability and so permits its use with a wide range of different electrical power network configurations having, e.g. a significantly different number of remote terminals and/or junctions interconnecting those remote terminals.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention:

the or each corresponding equivalent node current is calculated by the local terminal;

the or each remote node current is calculated by the corresponding remote terminal and is thereafter transmitted via the communication network to the local terminal whereat it is received as a corresponding received remote node current; and

step (c) of equating, in respect of the or each remote terminal, a sum of node currents flowing into the corresponding calculation node to zero according to Kirchhoff's first law, includes equating to zero in respect of the or each remote terminal the sum of the corresponding calculated equivalent node current and the corresponding received remote node current.

The foregoing steps desirably incorporate within the or each corresponding sum of node currents a communication time delay which represents the amount of time taken for the given calculated remote node current to travel (via the communication network) from the associated remote terminal to the local terminal.

Optionally, when applied to an electrical power network having a plurality of remote terminals, calculating in respect of the or each remote terminal a corresponding equivalent node current includes:

establishing an equivalent admittance for each remote terminal;

obtaining a local node current; and

utilising the established equivalent admittances for each remote terminal and the local node current to calculate the corresponding equivalent node current.

The utilisation of established equivalent admittances for each remote terminal and the local node current to calculate the corresponding equivalent node current has the benefit of removing from such a calculation any unknowns, e.g. regarding the status of current flow, in respect of the or each corresponding equivalent node current, and so permits in subsequent step (d) the ready extraction of a corresponding communication time delay since the associated equated sum of node currents can be manipulated to include only one unknown, i.e. the required communication time delay.

In a method of determining a communication time delay according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, when applied to an electrical power network having a single junction between the local terminal and the plurality of remote terminals, utilising the established equivalent admittances for each remote terminal and the local node current to calculate the corresponding equivalent node current includes one of:

multiplying the local node current by a current distribution coefficient based on the said established equivalent admittances; and

• • adding one or more other node currents, the or each of which is determined from the equivalent admittance of another remote terminal and a corresponding calculated node voltage, to the local node current.

Such steps desirably calculate the or each corresponding equivalent node current in a manner that can be readily scaled according to the number of remote terminals included in the particular electrical power network to which the method of the invention is applied.

Preferably, when applied to an electrical power network having a plurality of junctions between the local terminal and the plurality of remote terminals, utilising the established equivalent admittances for each remote terminal and the local node current to determine the corresponding equivalent node current includes:

using the local node current to calculate for each junction a local junction voltage; and

multiplying the equivalent admittance for a given remote terminal by the calculated local junction voltage for the junction with which it is connected to thereby calculate the corresponding equivalent node current for the said given remote terminal.

Such steps desirably calculate the or each corresponding equivalent node current in a manner that can be readily scaled according to both the number of remote terminals and the number of junctions included in the particular electrical power network to which the method of the invention is applied.

Optionally calculating for each junction a local junction voltage includes:

• • formulating an initial admittance matrix based on the topology of the electrical power network;
  • modifying the initial admittance matrix to take account of the established equivalent admittances for each remote terminal; and
  • combining the modified admittance matrix with the local node current to thereby establish each local junction voltage.

Such steps are again readily scalable according to the topology of the particular electrical power network to which the method of the invention is applied.

Calculating a corresponding equivalent node current may include obtaining a local node current by measuring the current at the local terminal and using the measured current at the local terminal to calculate the local node current using one of the following models of the network between the local terminal and a corresponding calculation node:

• • a resistor-inductor model;
  • a linear resistor-inductor-capacitor model; and
  • a distributed parameter model.

Obtaining the local node current in the foregoing manner includes a desired degree of flexibility so as to accommodate different electrical power network configurations, and more particularly different lengths and arrangements of transmission medium, i.e. transmission line or cable, between the local terminal and the corresponding calculation node.

Preferably calculating a given remote node current includes measuring the current at the corresponding remote terminal and using the measured current at the corresponding remote terminal to calculate the said given remote node current using one of the following models of the network between the corresponding remote terminal and the corresponding calculation node:

a resistor-inductor model;

a linear resistor-inductor-capacitor model; and

a distributed parameter model.

Calculating a given remote node current in the foregoing manner similarly includes a desired degree of flexibility so as to accommodate different electrical power network configurations, and more particularly different lengths and arrangements of transmission medium, i.e. transmission line or cable, between the corresponding remote terminal and the corresponding calculation node.

According to a further embodiment of the invention step (d) of extracting, in respect of the or each remote terminal, a communication time delay between the local terminal and the said respective remote terminal from a corresponding equated sum of node currents, includes comparing the phase of the node currents within the equated sum.

Comparing the phase of the node currents may include one of:

• • adopting a zero-crossing method in the time domain; and
  • adopting a Fourier transform method in the frequency domain.

Such steps can be readily implemented, e.g. in a respective microcontroller based calculation unit within the local terminal and the or each remote terminal, and is well-suited to identifying a time shift in current waveforms of the type calculated herein in respect of each node current.

A first example electrical power network is designated generally by reference numeral 10 and is shown schematically in FIG. 1.

The first electrical power network 10 includes first and second terminals 12, 14 that are interconnected by a portion of transmission medium 16 which, in the example shown is an overhead transmission line 18. In other arrangements of electrical power network (not shown) the transmission medium 16 may be an underground transmission cable.

Each terminal 12, 14 includes a protection device (not shown) which may, for example, be a circuit breaker. Each terminal 12, 14 also includes a control unit which may take the form of, e.g. a programmable microcontroller. Each control unit controls operation of the corresponding protection device and the control units are arranged in communication with one another via a communications network (not shown).

In the first electrical power network 10 shown the first terminal 12 is designated as a local terminal L and the second terminal 14 is designated as a remote terminal R, although this may be reversed in other example first electrical power networks. The local terminal L couples a local voltage source E_L to the transmission medium 16, i.e. the overhead transmission line 18, while the remote terminal R couples a remote voltage source E_R to the transmission medium 16.

An example method of determining a communication time delay T_P in the communication network between the remote terminal R and the local terminal L.

The example method comprises the principal steps of:

(a) selecting, in respect of the remote terminal R, a calculation node in the first electrical power network 10;

(b) calculating respective node currents flowing into the calculation node from the local terminal L and the remote terminal R;

(c) equating, in respect of the remote terminal R, a sum of node currents flowing into the calculation node to zero according to Kirchhoff's first law; and

(d) extracting, in respect of the remote terminal R, a communication time delay T_P between the local terminal L and the said remote terminal R from an equated sum of node currents.

The calculation node may be any point along the transmission line 18, and either the local terminal L or the remote terminal R may be chosen as the calculation node. In the example method described herein, by way of illustration, the calculation node is selected as being a junction J lying in the transmission line 18 between the local and remote terminals L, R.

Thereafter, step (b) of calculating respective node currents flowing into the calculation node from the local terminal L and the remote terminal R involves calculating, in respect of the remote terminal R, a remote node current i_JR which flows into the calculation node, i.e. junction J, from the remote terminal R, and also an equivalent node current.

The equivalent node current should be representative of the current flowing into the calculation node J from the local terminal L and any other remote terminals. However, in respect of the example method, there are no other remote terminals and so the equivalent node current is equal solely to a local node current i_JL which flows into the calculation node J from the local terminal L.

In the example method, the local node current i_JL is obtained by measuring the current i_L at the local terminal L and using the measured current i_L at the local terminal L to calculate the local node current i_JL using a resistor-inductor model of the network, i.e. overhead transmission line 18, between the local terminal L and the calculation node J.

More particularly the section 18A of overhead transmission line 18 between the local terminal L and the calculation node J is regarded as a resistor-inductor series-connected circuit and, because the section 18A is less than approximately 50 km, the shunt admittance can be neglected such that the local node current i_JL is given byi_JL=i_L

A similar resistor-inductor model can be used in other example methods when applied to a network in which the corresponding section of transmission medium between the local terminal and the calculation node is defined by an underground cable that is less than approximately 3 km.

In other example methods, when applied to a network in which the section of transmission medium between the local terminal and the calculation node is defined either by an overhead transmission line between approximately 50 km and 150 km in length, or by an underground cable that is between approximately 3 km and 20 km in length, the local node current i_JL can be obtained using a linear resistor-inductor-capacitor model of the aforesaid section of transmission medium, i.e. the parameters of resistance, inductance (or reactance) and shunt capacitance (or admittance) are considered to vary linearly along the said section. Such a linear resistor-inductor-capacitor model may also be known as a pi-equivalent circuit.

In such examples the local node current i_JL can be obtained by a sample based method or by a Fourier phase based method.

In terms of the Fourier phase based method, the local node current i_JL is given byİ_JL=İ_L−Y_JL{dot over (U)}_L/2where,

İ_L is the Fourier phasor of measured current i_L at the local terminal L;

{dot over (U)}_L is the Fourier phasor of measured voltage u_L at the local terminal L;

İ_JL is the Fourier phasor of the local node current i_JL; and

Y_JL is the shunt admittance of the section 18A of transmission medium 16 between the local terminal L and the calculation node J.

With regards to the last parameter, i.e. the shunt admittance Y_JL, this can be determined by multiplying the admittance per length (which can be obtained from the operator of the transmission medium 16) by the total length of the section 18A.

In still further example methods, when applied to a network in which the section of transmission medium between the local terminal and the calculation node is defined either by an overhead transmission line over approximately 150 km in length, or by an underground cable that is over approximately 20 km in length, the local node current i_JL can be obtained using a distributed parameter model of the aforesaid section of transmission medium.

In such examples the local node current i_JL can be obtained by a sample based method or by a Fourier phase based method, with the Fourier phase based method yielding the local node current i_JL according toİ_JL=cos h(γD)İ_L−sin h(γD){dot over (U)}_L/Z_C where,

İ_L is the Fourier phasor of measured current i_L at the local terminal L;

{dot over (U)}_L is the Fourier phasor of measured voltage u_L at the local terminal L;

γ=√{square root over (zy)} is the propagation coefficient of the section of transmission medium, with z being the impedance per length and y being the shunt admittance per length of the transmission medium;

Z_C=√{square root over (z/y)} is the character impedance of the section of transmission medium, with z again being the impedance per length and y being the shunt admittance per length of the transmission medium; and

D is the length of the section of transmission medium between the local terminal L and the calculation node J.

Meanwhile calculating, in respect of the remote terminal R, a remote node current i_JR which flows into the calculation node J from the remote terminal R includes measuring the current i_R at the remote terminal R and using the measured current i_R to calculate the remote node current i_JR using one of the same models of the network, i.e. section 18B of the overhead transmission line 18 between the remote terminal R and the calculation node J, as mentioned above, namely one of:

• • a resistor-inductor model;
  • a linear resistor-inductor-capacitor model; and
  • a distributed parameter model.

By way of illustration, in relation to the example method and its application to the first example network 10 in which the section 18B of overhead transmission line 18 between the remote terminal R and the calculation node J is less than 50 km, a resistor-inductor model can be used with the shunt admittance again being neglected such that the remote node current i_JR is calculated according toi_JR=i_R

In respect of the method, the equivalent local node current, i.e. the local node current i_JL, is calculated by the local terminal L, and more particularly by the control unit located therein. In addition, the remote node current i_JR is calculated by the remote terminal, i.e. the control unit located therein, and is thereafter transmitted via the communication network to the local terminal L. The transmitted calculated remote node current i_JR is received by the local terminal L as a received remote node current i′_JR. In this manner the received remote node current i′_JR embodies the communication time delay T_P between the remote terminal R and the local terminal L.

Thereafter step (c) of equating, in respect of the remote terminal R, a sum of node currents flowing into the calculation node J to zero according to Kirchhoff's first law, includes equating to zero the sum of the calculated equivalent node current, i.e. the obtained local node current i_JL, and the received remote node current i′_JR.

In other words, according to Kirchhoff's first law the sum of all currents flowing into the same node, i.e. the calculation node J, must be zero such thati_JL+i′_JR=0

Subsequent to the foregoing, step (d) of extracting, in respect of the remote terminal R, a communication time delay T_P between the local terminal L and the said remote terminal R from an equated sum of node currents, i.e. from the equated sum of the calculated equivalent node current i_JL and the received remote node current i′_JR, includes comparing the phase of the said node currents i_JL, i′_JR.

Such a phase comparison can be achieved by adopting a zero-crossing method in the time domain or a Fourier transform method in the frequency domain.

By way of illustration, the example method adopts a Fourier transform method in which the received remote node current i′_JR is rewritten in the form,İ′_JRe^jω0Tp such that the communication time delay T_P is given by

$T_p=\arg \left(\frac{-{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{\mathrm{JL}}}{{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{\mathrm{JR}}^{\prime }}\right)\text{/}\left(2\pi f\right)$ where,

İ_L is the Fourier phasor of the equivalent node current, i.e. the local node current i_JL;

İ′_JR is the Fourier phasor of received remote node current i′_JR transmitted from the remote terminal R to the local terminal L; and

f is frequency of the node currents i_JL, i′_JR.

Following all of the above the example method optionally includes the further time alignment step of delaying the local data, i.e. the measured current i_L at the local terminal L, so that it aligns correctly with the received remote node current i′_JR transmitted from the remote terminal R, such that thereafter correct and reliable operation of an associated differential protection scheme can take place.

A second example electrical power network is designated generally by reference numeral 20 and is shown schematically in FIG. 2. The second electrical power network 20 is similar to the example first electrical power network 10 and like features share the same reference numerals.

The second electrical power network 20 includes first, second and third terminals 12, 14, 22 as well as a junction J. The terminals 12, 14, 22 and junction J are interconnected with one another by respective first, second and third sections 18A, 18B, 18C of a transmission medium 16 which, in the example shown, is again an overhead transmission line 18. In other arrangements of second electrical power network (not shown) one or more sections of the transmission medium 16 may be an underground transmission cable.

In the second electrical power network 20 the first terminal 12 is again designated as a local terminal L while the second terminal 14 is designated as a first remote terminal R₁ and the third terminal 22 is designated as a second remote terminal R₂. In other second electrical power networks (not shown) the terminals may be designated differently and there may be more than three terminals.

The local terminal L again couples a local voltage source E_L to the first section 18A of the transmission medium 16, while the first remote terminal R₁ couples a first remote voltage source E_R1 to the second section 18B and the second remote terminal R₂ couples a second remote voltage source E_R2 to the third section 18C.

A method according to a first embodiment of the invention determines a first communication time delay T_P1 in the communication network between the first remote terminal R₁ and the local terminal L, and also a second communication time delay T_P2 between the second remote terminal R₂ and the local terminal L.

The first method of the invention comprises similar principal steps of:

(a) selecting, in respect of each remote terminal R₁, R₂, a calculation node in the second electrical power network 20;

(b) calculating respective node currents flowing into the corresponding calculation node from the local terminal L and each remote terminal R₁, R₂;

(c) equating, in respect of each remote terminal R₁, R₂, a sum of node currents flowing into the corresponding calculation node to zero according to Kirchhoff's first law; and

(d) extracting, in respect of each remote terminal R₁, R₂, a communication time delay T_P1, T_P2 between the local terminal L and the said respective remote terminal R₁, R₂ from a corresponding equated sum of node currents.

The same calculation node may be selected in respect of each remote terminal R₁, R₂, and it may again be any point within the transmission medium 16 but, by way of example, is selected as being the junction J lying between the local and remote terminals L, R₁, R₂.

In the first method of the invention, step (b) of calculating respective node currents flowing into the corresponding calculation node, i.e. the single junction J, from the local terminal L and each remote terminal R₁, R₂ involves various calculations in respect of each of the first and second remote terminals R₁, R₂.

Firstly, in respect of the first remote terminal R₁, a first remote node current i_JR1 which flows into the calculation node, i.e. junction J, from the first remote terminal R₁ is calculated, together with a first equivalent node current i_{JR1_L}.

Secondly, in respect of the second remote terminal R₂, a second remote node current i_JR2 which flows into the calculation node J from the second remote terminal R₂ is calculated, as well as a second equivalent node current i_{JR2_L}.

The first equivalent node current i_{JR1_L} is representative, with respect to the first remote terminal R₁, of the current flowing into the calculation node J and so comprises the local node current i_JL which flows into the calculation node J from the local terminal L and the other node current i_JR2 that flows into the calculation node J from the other remote terminal, i.e. from the second remote terminal R₂.

Meanwhile the second equivalent node current i_{JR2_L} is similarly representative of the current flowing into the calculation node J from the point of view of the second remote terminal R₂, and so comprises the local node current i_JL which flows into the calculation node J from the local terminal L, as well as the other node current i_JR1 that flows into the calculation node J from the other remote terminal, i.e. from the first remote terminal R₁.

In the first embodiment method, the local node current i_JL is again obtained by measuring the current i_L at the local terminal L and using the measured current i_L at the local terminal L to calculate the local node current i_JL using a resistor-inductor model of the first section 18A of transmission medium 16 between the local terminal L and the calculation node J.

By virtue of such steps the local node current i_JL is again given byi_JL=i_L

In other embodiments of the first method of invention, depending of the length of transmission medium in question, a linear resistor-inductor-capacitor model or a distributed parameter model of the aforesaid section of transmission medium may instead be used.

Similarly, in the first method of the invention, calculating the first and second remote node currents i_JR1, i_JR2 includes measuring the current i_R1, i_R2 at the respective remote terminal R₁, R₂ and using the measured current i_R1, i_R2 to calculate the corresponding remote node current i_JR1, i_JR2 using an appropriate model of the section 18B, 18C of overhead transmission line 18 between the associated remote terminal R₁, R₂ and the calculation node J, i.e. one of:

a resistor-inductor model;

a linear resistor-inductor-capacitor model; and

a distributed parameter model.

Each equivalent node current i_{JR1_L}, i_{JR2_L} is calculated by the local terminal L, and more particularly by the control unit located therein.

In the meantime, the first remote node current i_JR1 is calculated by the first remote terminal R₁, i.e. the control unit located therein, and the second remote node current i_JR2 is calculated by the second remote terminal R₂.

In each instance the corresponding remote terminal R₁, R₂ transmits to the local terminal L, via the communication network, the associated calculated remote node current i_JR1, i_JR2, whereat they are received as a respective first received remote node current i′_JR1 and a respective second received remote node current i′_JR2. In this manner the first and second received remote node currents i′_JR1, i′_JR2 embody a corresponding first communication time delay T_P1 between the first remote terminal R₁ and the local terminal L and a second communication time delay T_P2 between the second remote terminal R₂ and the local terminal L.

While the local terminal L, in calculating the first and second equivalent node current i_{JR1_L}, i_{JR2_L}, i.e. according toi_{JR1_L}=i_JL+i_JR2; andi_{JR2_L}=i_JL+i_JR1 could make use of the first and second received remote node currents i′_JR1, i′_JR2, this would introduce two unknowns, i.e. the first and second communication time delays T_P1, T_P2, at the next step, step (c), of equating to zero the sum of node currents flowing into the calculation node J, and thereby make it more difficult subsequently to extract each of the said communication time delays T_P1, T_P2.

Consequently, in the first method of the invention calculating each of the first and second equivalent node currents i_{JR1_L}, i_{JR2_L} includes: establishing an equivalent admittance y_R1, y_R2 for each remote terminal R₁, R₂; obtaining the local node current i_JL; and utilising the established equivalent admittances y_R1, y_R2 for each remote terminal R₁, R₂ and the local node current i_JL to calculate the corresponding equivalent node current i_{JR1_L}, i_{JR2_L}.

FIG. 3 shows one example of how the second remote node current i_JR2 flowing from the second remote terminal R₂ can be considered instead as an equivalent second admittance y_R2.

The equivalent admittance y_R1, y_R2 for each remote terminal R₁, R₂ may be established by a sample based method or a Fourier based method.

By way of example, the first method of the invention utilises a Fourier based method whereby

$Y_{R2}=-\frac{{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{\mathrm{JR}1}^{\prime }}{{\stackrel{.}{U}}_{\mathrm{JR}1}^{\prime }}$ $y_{R2}=-\frac{{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{\mathrm{JR}2}^{\prime }}{{\stackrel{.}{U}}_{\mathrm{JR}2}^{\prime }}$ where,

i′_JR1 is the Fourier phasor of the first received remote node current i′_JR1 which embodies the first communication time delay T_P1 between the first remote terminal R₁ and the local terminal L;

{dot over (U)}′_JR1 is the Fourier phasor of a first received remote node voltage u′_JR1 which is calculated by the first remote terminal R₁ based on the voltage u_R1 measured at the first remote terminal R₁ and which again embodies the first communication time delay T_P1;

İ′_JR2 is the Fourier phasor of the second received remote node current i′_JR2 which embodies the second communication time delay T_P2 between the second remote terminal R₂ and the local terminal L; and

{dot over (U)}′_JR2 is the Fourier phasor of a second received remote node voltage u′_JR2 which is calculated by the second remote terminal R₂ based on the voltage u_R2 measured at the second remote terminal R₂ and which again embodies the second communication time delay T_P2.

Meanwhile the local node current i_JL is obtained in the same manner as described hereinabove.

Thereafter, in the first method of the invention, utilising the established equivalent admittances y_R1, y_R2 for each remote terminal R₁, R₂ and the local node current i_JL to calculate the corresponding first and second equivalent node currents i_{JR1_L}, i_{JR2_L}, includes multiplying the local node current i_JL by a current distribution coefficient based on the said established equivalent admittances y_R1, y_R2, i.e. according to

${\stackrel{.}{I}}_{JR{1}_{—}L}=\frac{y_{R2}}{y_{R1}+y_{R2}}{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{\mathrm{JL}}$ ${\stackrel{.}{I}}_{\mathrm{JR}{2}_{—}L}=\frac{y_{R1}}{y_{R1}+y_{R2}}{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{\mathrm{JL}}$ where,

İ_{JR1_L} is the Fourier phasor of the first equivalent node current i_{JR1_L};

İ_{JR2_L} is the Fourier phasor of the second equivalent node current i_{JR2_L}; and

İ_JL is the Fourier phasor of the local node current i_JL.

In other embodiments of the first method of the invention, utilising the established equivalent admittances y_R1, y_R2 for each remote R₁, R₂ and the local node current i_JL to calculate the corresponding first and second equivalent node currents i_{JR1_L}, i_{JR2_L}, may include adding one or more other node currents, the or each of which is determined from the equivalent admittance y_R2, y_R1 of another remote terminal R₂, R₁ and a corresponding calculated node voltage, to the local node current, i.e. according toİ_{JR1_L}=İ_JL+y_R2{dot over (U)}_JL İ_{JR2_L}=İ_JL+y_R1{dot over (U)}_JL where,

İ_{JR1_L} is the Fourier phasor of the first equivalent node current i_{JR1_L};

İ_{JR2_L} is the Fourier phasor of the second equivalent node current i_{JR2_L};

İ_JL is the Fourier phasor of the local node current i_JL; and

{dot over (U)}_JL is the Fourier phasor of a node voltage u_JL which is expected at the calculation node J and is calculated by the local terminal L based on a measured voltage u_L at the local terminal L.

Thereafter step (c) of equating, in respect of each remote terminal R₁, R₂, a sum of node currents flowing into the calculation node J to zero according to Kirchhoff's first law, includes, for the first remote terminal R₁, equating to zero the sum of the first calculated equivalent node current i_{JR1_L} and the first received remote node current i′_JR1, and for the second remote terminal R₂, equating to zero the sum of the second calculated equivalent node current i_{JR2_L} and the second received remote node current i′_JR2.

In other words, according to Kirchhoff's first law the sum of all currents flowing into the same node, i.e. the calculation node J, must be zero such that in respect of the first remote terminal R₁ i_{JR1_L}+i′_JR1=0and, in respect of the second remote terminal R₂ i_{JR2_L}+i′_JR2=0

Following the above, step (d) of extracting, in respect of each remote terminal R₁, R₂, a communication time delay T_P1, T_P2 between the local terminal L and the said respective remote terminal R₁, R₂ from a corresponding equated sum of node currents, i.e. from a corresponding one of the sums set out above, includes comparing the phase of the said node currents, i.e. comparing the phase of the first equivalent node current i_{JR1_L} with the phase of the first received remote node current i′_JR1, and comparing the phase of the second equivalent node current i_{JR2_L} with the phase of the second received remote node current i′_JR2.

Such phase comparisons can be achieved by adopting a zero-crossing method in the time domain or a Fourier transform method in the frequency domain.

By way of example, the first method of the invention again adopts a Fourier transform method in which each of the first and second received remote node currents i′_JR1, i′_JR2 is rewritten in the form,İ′_JR1e^jω0Tp1; andİ′_JR2e^jω0Tp2 such that the first communication time delay T_P1 is given by

$T_{p1}=\frac{\arg \left(-{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{\mathrm{JR}{1}_{—}L}\text{/}{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{\mathrm{JR}1}^{\prime }\right)}{2\pi f}$ where,

İ_{JR1_L} is the Fourier phasor of the first equivalent node current i_{JR1_L};

İ′_JR1 is the Fourier phasor of the first received remote node current i′_JR1 transmitted from the first remote terminal R₁ to the local terminal L; and

f is frequency of the node currents i_{JR1_L}, i′_JR1,

and such that the second communication time delay T_P2 is given by

$T_{p2}=\frac{\arg \left(-{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{\mathrm{JR}{2}_{—}L}\text{/}{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{\mathrm{JR}2}^{\prime }\right)}{2\pi f}$ where,

İ_{JR2_L} is the Fourier phasor of the second equivalent node current i_{JR2_L};

İ′_JR2 is the Fourier phasor of the second received remote node current i′_JR2 transmitted from the second remote terminal R₂ to the local terminal L; and

f is frequency of the node currents i_{JR2_L}, i′_JR2.

Following all of the above the first method of the invention optionally includes a further time alignment step.

Such a step involves delaying the local data, i.e. the measured current i_L at the local terminal L, by an amount T_max equal to the maximum value of the first and second communication time delays T_P1, T_P2, i.e. whereT_max=max{T_P1,T_P2}then delaying the first received remote node current i′_JR1 by an amount T_R1 given byT_R1=T_max−T_P1and then delaying the second received remote node current i′_JR2 by an amount T_R2 given byT_R2=T_max−T_P2

Thereafter each of the local node current i_JL, and the first and second received remote node currents i′_JR1, i′_JR2 will be correctly synchronised with one another such that an associated differential protection scheme will be able to operate correctly and reliably.

A third example electrical power network is designated generally by reference numeral 30 and is shown schematically in FIG. 4. The third electrical power network 30 is similar to the example second electrical power network 20 and like features share the same reference numerals.

The third electrical power network 30 includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth terminals 12, 14, 22, 32, 34, 36 as well as first, second, third and fourth junctions J1, J2, J3, J4. The terminals 12, 14, 22, 32, 34, 36 and junctions J1, J2, J3, J4 are interconnected with one another by respective sections of a transmission medium 16 which, in the example shown, are again sections of overhead transmission line 18. In other arrangements (not shown) of third electrical power network one or more sections of the transmission medium 16 may be an underground transmission cable.

In the third electrical power network 30 the first terminal 12 is again designated as a local terminal L, the second terminal 14 is again designated as a first remote terminal R₁ and the third terminal 22 is again designated as a second remote terminal R₂, while the fourth terminal 32 is designated as a third remote terminal R₃, the fifth terminal 34 is designated as a fourth remote terminal R₄ and the sixth terminal 36 is designated as a fifth remote terminal R₅. In other third electrical power networks (not shown) the terminals may be designated differently, there may be fewer than or more than six terminals, fewer than or more than four junctions, and the various junctions and terminals may be configured differently to the arrangement shown in FIG. 4.

A method according to a second embodiment of the invention determines a first communication time delay T_P1 in the communication network between the first remote terminal R₁ and the local terminal L, a second communication time delay T_P2 between the second remote terminal R₂ and the local terminal L, a third communication time delay T_P3 between the third remote terminal R₃ and the local terminal L, a fourth communication time delay T_P4 between the fourth remote terminal R₄ and the local terminal L, and a fifth communication time delay T_P5 between the fifth remote terminal R₅ and the local terminal L.

The second method of the invention is comparable to the first method of the invention and similarly comprises principal steps of:

(a) selecting, in respect of each remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, a calculation node in the third electrical power network 30;

(b) calculating respective node currents flowing into the corresponding calculation node from the local terminal L and each remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅;

(c) equating, in respect of each remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, a sum of node currents flowing into the corresponding calculation node to zero according to Kirchhoff's first law; and

(d) extracting, in respect of each remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, a communication time delay T_P1, T_P2, T_P3, T_P4, T_P5 between the local terminal L and the said respective remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ from a corresponding equated sum of node currents.

The calculation node may again be any point within the transmission medium 16 but, by way of example, is selected as being the junction with which the corresponding remote terminal is directly connected, i.e. the first junction J1 with respect to the first remote terminal R₁, the second junction J2 with respect to the second remote terminal R₂, the third junction J3 with respect to the third remote terminal R₃, the fourth junction J4 with respect to the fourth remote terminal R₄, and the fourth junction J4 again with respect to the fifth remote terminal R₅.

In the second method of the invention, step (b) of calculating respective node currents flowing into the corresponding calculation node from the local terminal L and each remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ involves calculating respective:

• • (i) first, second, third, fourth and fifth remote node currents currents i_J1R1, i_J2R2, i_J3R3, i_J4R4, i_J4R5, which flow into a corresponding junction J1, J2, J3, J4 from each of the remote terminals R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅; and
  • (ii) first, second, third, fourth and fifth equivalent node currents i_J1R1, i_J2R2, i_J3R3, i_J4R4, i_J4R5.

In respect of each remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, the corresponding equivalent node current i_{J1R1_L}, i_{J2R2_L}, i_{J3R3_L}, i_{J4R4_L}, i_{J4R5_L} is representative of the current which flows into the corresponding calculation node J1, J2, J3, J4 from the local terminal L and the other remote terminals R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, i.e. with respect to the first remote terminal R₁ then the first equivalent node current i_{J1R1_L} is representative of the current flowing into the first junction J1, i.e. the junction with which the first remote terminal R₁ is directly connected, from the local terminal L and each of the other remote terminals, i.e. each of the second, third, fourth and fifth remote terminals R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅.

In the second method of the invention, calculating the first, second, third, fourth and fifth remote node currents i_J1R1, i_J2R2, i_J3R3, i_J4R4, i_J4R5 similarly includes measuring the current at the respective remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and using the measured current to calculate the corresponding remote node current i_J1R1, i_J2R2, i_J3R3, i_J4R4, i_J4R5 using an appropriate model of the section of overhead transmission line 18 between the associated remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and the junction J1, J2, J3, J4 into which the remote node current is flowing, i.e. one of:

a resistor-inductor model;

a linear resistor-inductor-capacitor model; and

a distributed parameter model.

Each equivalent node current i_{J1R1_L}, i_{J2R2_L}, i_{J3R3_L}, i_{J4R4_L}, i_{J4R5_L} is calculated by the local terminal L, and more particularly by the control unit located therein.

In the meantime, each of the respective remote node currents i_J1R1, i_J2R2, i_J3R3, i_J4R4, i_J4R5 is calculated by the corresponding remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅.

The corresponding remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ then transmits to the local terminal L, via the communication network, the associated calculated remote node current i_J1R1, i_J2R2, i_J3R3, i_J4R4, i_J4R5 whereat they are received as respective first, second, third, fourth and fifth received remote node currents i′_J1R1, i′_J2R2, i′_J3R3, i′_J4R4, i′_J4R5.

In this manner each of the received remote node currents i′_J1R1, i′_J2R2, i′_J3R3, i′_J4R4, i′_J4R5 embodies a corresponding communication time delay T_P1, T_P2, T_P3, T_P4, T_P5 between the local terminal L and the corresponding remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅.

In the second method of the invention calculating each of the equivalent node currents i_{J1R1_L}, i_{J2R2_L}, i_{J3R3_L}, i_{J4R4_L}, i_{J4R5_L} again includes:

establishing an equivalent admittance y_R1, y_R2, y_R3, y_R4, y_R5 for each remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅;

obtaining a local node current iJ1L; and

utilising the established equivalent admittances y_R1, y_R2, y_R3, y_R4, y_R5 for each remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and the local node current i_J1L to calculate the corresponding equivalent node current i_{J1R1_L}, i_{J2R2_L}, i_{J3R3_L}, i_{J4R4_L}, i_{J4R5_L}.

The equivalent admittance y_R1, y_R2, y_R3, y_R4, y_R5 for each remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ may again be established by a sample based method or a Fourier based method.

By way of example, the second method of the invention again utilises a Fourier based method whereby

$y_{R1}=\frac{{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{J1R1}^{\prime }}{{\stackrel{.}{U}}_{J1R1}^{\prime }}$ $y_{R2}=\frac{{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{J2R2}^{\prime }}{{\stackrel{.}{U}}_{J2R2}^{\prime }}$ $y_{R3}=\frac{{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{J3R3}^{\prime }}{{\stackrel{.}{U}}_{J3R3}^{\prime }}$ $y_{R4}=\frac{{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{J4R4}^{\prime }}{{\stackrel{.}{U}}_{J4R4}^{\prime }}$ $y_{R5}=\frac{{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{\mathrm{J4R}5}^{\prime }}{{\stackrel{.}{U}}_{\mathrm{J4R}5}^{\prime }}$ where,

İ′_J1R1 is the Fourier phasor of the first received remote node current i′_J1R1 which embodies the first communication time delay T_P1 between the first remote terminal R₁ and the local terminal L;

{dot over (U)}′_J1R1 is the Fourier phasor of a first received remote node voltage u′_J1R1 which is calculated by the first remote terminal R₁ based on the voltage u_R1 measured at the first remote terminal R₁ and which again embodies the first communication time delay T_P1;

İ′_J2R2 is the Fourier phasor of the second received remote node i′_J2R2 which embodies the second communication time delay T_P2 between the second remote terminal R₂ and the local terminal L;

{dot over (U)}′_J2R2 is the Fourier phasor of a second received remote node voltage u′_J2R2 which is calculated by the second remote terminal R₂ based on the voltage u_R2 measured at the second remote terminal R₂ and which again embodies the second communication time delay T_P2;

İ′_J3R3 is the Fourier phasor of the third received remote node i′_J3R3 which embodies the third communication time delay T_P3 between the third remote terminal R₃ and the local terminal L;

{dot over (U)}′_J3R3 is the Fourier phasor of a third received remote node voltage u′_J3R3 which is calculated by the third remote terminal R₃ based on the voltage u_R3 measured at the third remote terminal R₃ and which again embodies the third communication time delay T_P3;

İ_J4R4 is the Fourier phasor of the fourth received remote node i′_J4R4 which embodies the fourth communication time delay T_P4 between the fourth remote terminal R₄ and the local terminal L;

{dot over (U)}′_J4R4 is the Fourier phasor of a fourth received remote node voltage u′_J4R4 which is calculated by the fourth remote terminal R₄ based on the voltage u_R4 measured at the fourth remote terminal R₄ and which again embodies the fourth communication time delay T_P4;

İ_J4R4 is the Fourier phasor of the fifth received remote node i′_J4R5 which embodies the fifth communication time delay T_P5 between the fifth remote terminal R₅ and the local terminal L; and

{dot over (U)}′_J4R5 is the Fourier phasor of a fifth received remote node u′_J4R5 which is calculated by the fifth remote terminal R₅ based on the voltage u_R5 measured at the fifth remote terminal R₅ and which again embodies the fifth communication time delay T_P5.

Meanwhile the local node current i_J1L is again obtained by measuring the current i_L at the local terminal L and using that measured current i_L to calculate the local node current i_J1L using a resistor-inductor model of the section of transmission medium 16 between the local terminal L and a corresponding calculation node which, in the third method of the invention, is chosen as the first junction J1.

By virtue of such steps the local node current i_J1L is again given byi_J1L=i_L

In other embodiments of the second method of invention, depending of the length of transmission medium in question, a linear resistor-inductor-capacitor model or a distributed parameter model of the aforesaid section of transmission medium may instead be used.

Thereafter, in the second method of the invention, utilising the established equivalent admittances y_R1, y_R2, y_R3, y_R4, y_R5 for each remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R5 and the local node current i_J1L to calculate the corresponding equivalent node current i_{J1R1_L}, i_{J2R2_L}, i_{J3R3_L}, i_{J4R4_L}, i_{J4R5_L}, includes:

using the local node current i_J1L to calculate for each junction J1, J2, J3, J4 a local junction voltage u_{J1_L}, u_{J2_L}, u_{J3_L}, u_{J4_L}; and

multiplying the equivalent admittance y_R1, y_R2, y_R3, y_R4, y_R5 for a given remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ by the calculated local junction voltage u_{J1_L}, u_{J2_L}, u_{J3_L}, u_{J4_L} for the junction J1, J2, J3, J4 with which it is connected to thereby calculate the corresponding equivalent node current i_{J1R1_L}, i_{J2R2_L}, i_{J3R3_L}, i_{J4R4_L}, i_{J4R5_L}, for the said given remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, i.e. according toİ_{J1R1_L}=y_R1{dot over (U)}_{J1_L} İ_{J2R2_L}=y_R2{dot over (U)}_{J2_L} İ_{J3R3_L}=y_R3{dot over (U)}_{J3_L} İ_{J4R4_L}=y_R4{dot over (U)}_{J4_L} İ_{J4R5_L}=y_R5{dot over (U)}_{J4_L} where,

İ′_{J1R1_L} is the Fourier phasor of the first equivalent node current i_{J1R1_L};

İ′_{J2R2_L} is the Fourier phasor of the second equivalent node current i_{J2R2_L};

İ′_{J3R3_L} is the Fourier phasor of the third equivalent node current i_{J3R3_L};

İ′_{J4R4_L} is the Fourier phasor of the fourth equivalent node current i_{J4R4_L};

İ′_{J4R5_L} is the Fourier phasor of the fifth equivalent node current i_{J4R5_L};

{dot over (U)}_{J1_L} is the Fourier phasor of the first junction voltage u_{J1_L};

{dot over (U)}_{J2_L} is the Fourier phasor of the second junction voltage u_{J2_L};

{dot over (U)}_{J3_L} is the Fourier phasor of the third junction voltage u_{J3_L}; and

{dot over (U)}_{J4_L} is the Fourier phasor of the fourth junction voltage u_{J4_L}.

In each instance, calculating for each junction J1, J2, J3, J4 a local junction voltage u_{J1_L}, u_{J2_L}, u_{J3_L}, u_{J4_L} includes:

• • formulating an initial admittance matrix based on the topology of the third example electrical power network 30;
  • modifying the initial admittance matrix to take account of the established equivalent admittances y_R1, y_R2, y_R3, y_R4, y_R5 for each remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R5; and
  • combining the modified admittance matrix with the local node current i_J1L to thereby establish each local junction voltage u_{J1_L}, u_{J2_L}, u_{J3_L}, u_{J4_L}.

In the second method of the invention, the local junction voltages u_{J1_L}, u_{J2_L}, u_{J3_L}, u_{J4_L} are calculated on the basis of the local node current i_J1L with the portion of network, i.e. network branch, associated with each remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ being regarded as an equivalent admittance.

More particularly an initial admittance matrix y_J0 is formulated according to the topology of the third example electrical power network 30, together with information provided by the network owner regarding the section admittance y₁₂, y₁₃, y₂₃, y₂₄, y₃₄ of the various sections of transmission medium 16 between the junctions J1, J2, J3, J4.

An example initial admittance matrix y_J0 is shown below in which each of the diagonal entries is the summation of all of the section admittances y₁₂, y₁₃, y₂₃, y₂₄, y₃₄ that are directly connected to the corresponding junction J1, J2, J3, J4, e.g. for the row 2, column 2 diagonal entry the section admittances directly connected to the second junction J2 are y₁₃+y₂₃+y₂₄, i.e.

$Y_{J0}=\left[\begin{array}{cccc}{y}_{12}+y_{13}& -y_{12}& -y_{13}& 0\\ -y_{12}& y_{12}+y_{23}+y_{24}& -y_{23}& -y_{24}\\ -y_{13}& -y_{23}& y_{13}+y_{23}+y_{34}& -y_{34}\\ 0& -y_{24}& -y_{34}& y_{24}+y_{34}\end{array}\right]$

In addition, the remaining row and column entries are the section admittance which is directly connected between the two junctions in question multiplied by −1, e.g. the admittance connected directly between the third junction J3 (i.e. row 3) and the first junction J1 (i.e. column 1) is y₁₃, and so the entry at row 3, column 1 is −y₁₃.

The initial admittance matrix y_J0 is then modified to take account of the equivalent admittances y_R1, y_R2, y_R3, y_R4, y_R5 of the remote terminals R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ according to a topology matrix M_TOP which takes the following form:

$M_{\mathrm{TOP}}=\left[\begin{array}{ccccc}& J1& J2& J3& J4\\ L& 1& 0& 0& 0\\ R1& 1& 0& 0& 0\\ R2& 0& 1& 0& 0\\ R3& 0& 0& 1& 0\\ R4& 0& 0& 0& 1\\ R5& 0& 0& 0& 1\end{array}\right]$

The rows in the aforementioned topology matrix M_TOP represent the corresponding terminal L, R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and the columns represent the corresponding junction J1, J2, J3, J4. If a particular terminal L, R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ is connected to a given junction J1, J2, J3, J4 then the corresponding matrix entry is 1 (otherwise a 0 is included).

The diagonal elements of the initial admittance matrix y_J0 are then modified by subtracting the equivalent admittance y_R1, y_R2, y_R3, y_R4, y_R5 of the or each remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ that is directly connected to the corresponding junction J1, J2, J3, J4, e.g. for the fourth junction J4 the entry at (4,4) in the initial admittance matrix y_J0 is modified by subtracting the equivalent admittance of the fourth and fifth remote terminals R₄, R₅, i.e. by subtracting y_R4 and y_R5, such that the modified admittance matrix y_JMod takes the form

$Y_{\mathrm{JMod}}=\left[\begin{array}{cccc}{y}_{12}+y_{13}-y_{R1}& -y_{12}& -y_{13}& 0\\ -y_{12}& y_{12}+y_{23}+y_{24}-y_{R2}& -y_{23}& -y_{24}\\ -y_{13}& -y_{23}& y_{13}+y_{23}+y_{34}-y_{R3}& -y_{34}\\ 0& -y_{24}& -y_{34}& y_{24}+y_{34}-y_{R4}-y_{R5}\end{array}\right]$ Each junction voltage u_{J1_L}, u_{J2_L}, u_{J3_L}, u_{J4_L} is then calculated according to the following

$\left[\begin{array}{c}{\stackrel{.}{U}}_{J{1}_{—}L}\\ {\stackrel{.}{U}}_{J{2}_{—}L}\\ {\stackrel{.}{U}}_{J{3}_{—}L}\\ {\stackrel{.}{U}}_{J{4}_{—}L}\end{array}\right]=Y_{\mathrm{JMod}}^{-1}\left[\begin{array}{c}{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{J1L}\\ 0\\ 0\\ 0\end{array}\right]$ where

İ_J1L is the Fourier phasor of the local node current i_J1L.

Thereafter step (c) of equating, in respect of each remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ a sum of node currents flowing into the corresponding calculation node J1, J2, J3, J4 to zero according to Kirchhoff's first law, includes:

for the first remote terminal R₁, equating to zero the sum of the first calculated equivalent node current i_{J1R1_L} and the first received remote node current i′_J1R1 flowing into the first junction J1;

for the second remote terminal R₂, equating to zero the sum of the second calculated equivalent node current i_{J2R2_L} and the second received remote node current i′_J2R2 flowing into the second junction J2;

for the third remote terminal R₃, equating to zero the sum of the third calculated equivalent node current i_{J3R3_L} and the third received remote node current i′_J3R3 flowing into the third junction J3;

for the fourth remote terminal R₄, equating to zero the sum of the fourth calculated equivalent node current i_{J4R4_L} and the fourth received remote node current i′_J4R4 flowing into the fourth junction J4; and

for the fifth remote terminal R₅, equating to zero the sum of the fifth calculated equivalent node current i_{J5R5_L} and the fifth received remote node current i′_J5R5 again flowing into the fourth junction J4.

Following the above, step (d) of extracting, in respect of each remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, a communication time delay T_P1, T_P2, T_P3, T_P4, T_P5 between the local terminal L and the said respective remote terminal R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ from a corresponding equated sum of node currents again includes comparing the phase of the said node currents.

Such phase comparisons can be achieved by adopting a zero-crossing method in the time domain or a Fourier transform method in the frequency domain but, by way of example, the third method of the invention again adopts a Fourier transform method in which each of the received remote node currents i′_J1R1, i′_J2R2, i′_J3R3, i′_J4R4, i′_J4R5 is rewritten in the respective form,İ′_J1R1e^jω0Tp1;İ′_J2R2e^jω0Tp2;İ′_J3R3e^jω0Tp3;İ′_J4R4e^jω0Tp4; andİ′_J4R5e^jω0Tp5 such that the first, second, third, fourth and fifth communication time delays T_P1, T_P2, T_P3, T_P4, T_P5 are given, respectively, by

$T_{p1}=\frac{\arg \left(-{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{J1R{1}_{—}L}\text{/}{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{J1R1}^{\prime }\right)}{2\pi f};$ $T_{p2}=\frac{\arg \left(-{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{J2R{2}_{—}L}\text{/}{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{J2R2}^{\prime }\right)}{2\pi f};$ $T_{p3}=\frac{\arg \left(-{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{J3R{3}_{—}L}\text{/}{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{J3R3}^{\prime }\right)}{2\pi f};$ $T_{p4}=\frac{\arg \left(-{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{J4R{4}_{—}L}\text{/}{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{J4R4}^{\prime }\right)}{2\pi f};\mathrm{and}$ $T_{p5}=\frac{\arg \left(-{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{J4R{5}_{—}L}\text{/}{\stackrel{.}{I}}_{J4R5}^{\prime }\right)}{2\pi f}$ where,

İ_{J1R1_L} is the Fourier phasor of the first equivalent node current i_{J1R1_L};

İ′_J1R1 is the Fourier phasor of the first received remote node current i′_J1R1 transmitted from the first remote terminal R₁ to the local terminal L;

İ_{J2R2_L} is the Fourier phasor of the second equivalent node current i_{J2R2_L};

İ′_J2R2 is the Fourier phasor of the second received remote node current i′_J2R2 transmitted from the second remote terminal R₂ to the local terminal L;

İ_{J3R3_L} is the Fourier phasor of the third equivalent node current i_{J3R3_L};

İ′_J3R3 is the Fourier phasor of the third received remote node current i′_J3R3 transmitted from the third remote terminal R₃ to the local terminal L;

İ_{J4R4_L} is the Fourier phasor of the fourth equivalent node current i_{J4R4_L};

İ′_J4R4 is the Fourier phasor of the fourth received remote node current i′_J4R4 transmitted from the fourth remote terminal R₄ to the local terminal L;

İ_{J4R5_L} is the Fourier phasor of the fifth equivalent node current i_{J4R5_L};

İ′_J4R5 is the Fourier phasor of the fifth received remote node current i′_J4R5 transmitted from the fifth remote terminal R₅ to the local terminal L; and

f is frequency of the node currents.

Following all of the above the second method of the invention optionally includes a further time alignment step.

Such a step involves delaying the local data, i.e. the measured current i_L at the local terminal L, by an amount T_max equal to the maximum value of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth communication time delays T_P1, T_P2, T_P3, T_P4, T_P5, i.e. whereT_max=max{T_P1,T_P2,T_P3,T_P4,T_P5}then delaying the first received remote node current i′_J1R1 by an amount T_R1 given byT_R1=T_max−T_P1delaying the second received remote node current i′_J2R2 by an amount T_R2 given byT_R2=T_max−T_P2delaying the third received remote node current i′_J3R3 by an amount T_R3 given byT_R3=T_max−T_P3delaying the fourth received remote node current i′_J4R4 by an amount T_R4 given byT_R4=T_max−T_P4; anddelaying the fifth received remote node current i′_J4R5 by an amount T_R5 given byT_R5=T_max−T_P5

Thereafter each of the local node current i_JL, and the received remote node i′_J1R1, i′_J2R2, i_J3R3, i′_J4R4, i′_J4R5 will be correctly synchronised with one another such that an associated differential protection scheme will be able to operate correctly and reliably.

Claims

1. A method of determining a communication time delay in a communication network between a local terminal and one or more remote terminals within an electrical power network comprising the steps of: (a) selecting, in respect of the or each remote terminal a calculation node in the electrical power network;(b) calculating, in respect of each remote terminal, a corresponding remote node current flowing into the corresponding calculation node from the said remote terminal and a corresponding equivalent node current representative of the current flowing into the corresponding calculation node from the local terminal and the or each other remote terminal;(c) equating, in respect of each remote terminal, a sum of the corresponding calculated equivalent node current and the corresponding remote node current flowing into the corresponding calculation node to zero according to Kirchhoff's first law; and(d) extracting, in respect of the or each remote terminal, a communication time delay between the local terminal and the said respective remote terminal from a corresponding equated sum of node currents,wherein calculating in respect of each remote terminal a corresponding equivalent node current includes: establishing an equivalent admittance for each remote terminal;obtaining a local node current; andutilizing the established equivalent admittances for each remote terminal and the local node current to calculate the corresponding equivalent node current.

2. A method of determining a communication time delay according to claim 1 wherein: each corresponding equivalent node current is calculated by the local terminal; andeach remote node current is calculated by the corresponding remote terminal and is thereafter transmitted via the communication network to the local terminal whereat it is received as a corresponding received remote node current.

3. A method of determining a communication time delay according to claim 1, within an electrical power network having a single junction between the local terminal and the plurality of remote terminals, wherein utilizing the established equivalent admittances for each remote terminal and the local node current to calculate the corresponding equivalent local node current includes one of: multiplying the local node current by a current distribution coefficient based on the said established equivalent admittances; andadding one or more other node currents, the or each of which is determined from the equivalent admittance of another remote terminal and a corresponding calculated node voltage, to the local node current.

4. A method of determining a communication time delay according to claim 1, within an electrical power network having a plurality of junctions between the local terminal and the plurality of remote terminals, wherein utilizing the established equivalent admittances for each remote terminal and the local node current to determine the corresponding equivalent node current includes: using the local node current to calculate for each junction a local junction voltage; andmultiplying the equivalent admittance for a given remote terminal by the calculated local junction voltage for the junction with which it is connected to thereby calculate the corresponding equivalent node current for the said given remote terminal.

5. A method of determining a communication time delay according to claim 4 wherein calculating for each junction a local junction voltage includes: formulating an initial admittance matrix based on the topology of the electrical power network;modifying the initial admittance matrix to take account of the established equivalent admittances for each remote terminal; andcombining the modified admittance matrix with the local node current to thereby establish each local junction voltage.

6. A method of determining a communication time delay according to claim 1 wherein obtaining a local node current includes measuring the current at the local terminal and using the measured current at the local terminal to calculate the local node current using one of the following models of the network between the local terminal and a corresponding calculation node: a resistor-inductor model;a linear resistor-inductor-capacitor model; anda distributed parameter model.

7. A method of determining a communication time delay according to claim 1 wherein calculating a given remote node current includes measuring the current at the corresponding remote terminal and using the measured current at the corresponding remote terminal to calculate the said given remote node current using one of the following models of the network between the corresponding remote terminal and the corresponding calculation node: a resistor-inductor model;a linear resistor-inductor-capacitor model; anda distributed parameter model.

8. A method of determining a communication time delay according to claim 1 wherein step (d) of extracting, in respect of the or each remote terminal, a communication time delay between the local terminal and the said respective remote terminal from a corresponding equated sum of node currents, includes comparing the phase of the node currents within the equated sum.

9. A method of determining a communication time delay according to claim 8 wherein comparing the phase of the node currents includes one of: adopting a zero-crossing method in the time domain; andadopting a Fourier transform method in the frequency domain.