The power system industry has seen tremendous technological advancements over the years, from the invention of the electrical grid to the integration of renewable energy sources. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), the power system is entering a new era of efficiency, reliability, and safety. One key area where AI is making a significant impact is electrical protection control.
This article follows too many grid disturbances suffered by Nigeria in recent times, which were largely due to vandalism of transmission equipment and power service management systems.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be utilized to monitor critical power infrastructure, especially transmission assets, to mitigate against repeated wanton vandalism, theft, and destruction. This can reduce grid collapse, lessen transmission losses, substantially reduce consumption, and help accelerate the integration of clean energy sources in power grids. AI also aids power distribution strategy, supervision, and monitoring.
AI-based protection systems can detect faults in real-time and isolate them before they escalate into outages. This results in a more reliable power system, reducing the number of power interruptions and improving the overall quality of electricity supply.
Artificial intelligence enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem-solving, decision-making, creativity, and autonomy. Applications and devices equipped with AI can see and identify objects. They can understand and respond to human languages.
AI systems can learn from experience and improve their performance by analysing data. They can use reasoning to solve problems and make decisions. They can adapt their behaviour based on the effects of their previous actions. AI systems can perceive their environment and interact with it.
Electrical protection control is an essential component of the power system, designed to detect and isolate faults in the electrical grid. Traditionally, electrical protection control has relied on manual settings, which can be time-consuming, prone to human error, and difficult to adjust as the electrical grid evolves. With AI, electrical protection control can be automated, providing real-time monitoring and control of the electrical grid.
One key benefit of AI in electrical protection control is improved efficiency. AI-based protection systems can analyse vast amounts of data and make real-time decisions, optimizing electricity flow and reducing energy waste. This leads to a more efficient use of energy resources, reducing the need for expensive new power generation facilities.
In addition to these benefits, AI in electrical protection control also provides improved safety. AI-based protection systems can detect and isolate potential safety hazards, such as overloading before they escalate into accidents. This helps to reduce the risk of electrical fires and other safety hazards, improving the overall safety of the power system.
AI-based electrical protection control is also a critical component of the smart grid. A smart grid is an electrical grid that is equipped with advanced technologies and control systems that allow for the efficient management of electricity. AI-based electrical protection control provides real-time monitoring and control of the electrical grid, improving the overall efficiency, reliability, and safety of the power system.
In conclusion, the electrical grid remains a key component in the power supply chain, and so deploying electrical protection control with AI is a strategy in the power system industry that will improve electric protection, enhance power systems, cut outages, minimize downtime, and maximize productivity in Nigeria.
