Software-Defined Electricity solves many of today’s challenging electrical network problems. Real time cleaning and balancing of electricity increases network stability, making them safer and more manageable with less downtime.
Read more about some of the network stability improvements when Software-Defined Electricity is installed.
Definition of the Term: Electricity must be converted back and forth many different times all throughout the electricity supply chain. 3DFS Technology converts electricity in a single step process maintaining the highest possible efficiency preventing waste heat. Digital power conversion can be performed in any direction and as many times as required with the same efficiency, whether AC/DC, DC/AC, AC/AC or DC/DC.
Description of the Benefits: Digital power conversion improves the efficiency and stability of the conversion process in electrical networks. This stability improvement also increases the energy output of renewables, UPSs, VFDs, energy storage and many other stakeholders.
Comparison to existing technology / methodologies: The ultra-efficient bidirectional, digital power conversion is a unique innovation to 3DFS Technology. The mechanical method of electricity conversion is still very popular in the industry with the best efficiency hovering around 60% brand new and losing efficiency over time.
Definition of the Term: 3DFS technology monitors the neutral line in a multiphase system and calculates its elimination in the model calculations for electrical correction. Perfect power transfer results in all current being consumed as the work intended and not returning on the neutral line. We refer to this feature as zeroing the neutral line.
Description of the Benefits: The zeroing of the neutral line increases the efficiency of the electrical network and improves the performance of sensitive devices such as radio and radar. It also reduces facility ground current that floats higher when current or distortions exist onto the neutral line.
Comparison to existing technology / methodologies: The existing solution to the problem of neutral currents is to either replace the existing neutral with a thicker gauge wire or run additional neutral wires. This does not solve the problem, it masks the visible symptoms. Electrical network interference still exists and exhibits itself in different ways. It will increase over time until the symptoms become visible again, only they are more dangerous.
Definition of the Term: 3DFS Technology has real time control of electricity and is able to process and redirect the electrical energy flow of a surge as it enters the facility. The energy is redirected and stored in a manner that converts extra energy to heat loss. This method is able to absorb a pulse generated by lightning and maintain full capacity providing dynamic surge protection at the facility level that prevents surges from entering the electrical network. Each event automatically comes with data and analytics so the facility manager can review and log the incidents for relevant discussions with the Power Producer.
The term full facility surge protection assumes that the standard upstream lightning/surge protection is in the distribution system.
Description of the Benefits: The 3DFS facility sustainable surge protection is always operational and never needs to be replaced due to wear and tear or degradation of capacity. The system will keep track of data on the surges logging their size and frequency.
Comparison to existing technology / methodologies: The most common methodologies for surge protection involve shunting electricity through the use of Metal Oxide Varistors, gas discharge arrestors or coils and numerous ways of fusing. These methods are not renewable and suffer irreversible damage from each surge that they absorb. Further there is no data on the number of strikes absorbed or more importantly the protective capacity left.
Definition of the Term: Electrical correction allows the quality of the electricity to be completely controlled in real time which directly controls the quality of the power used as work. By cleaning and balancing the electricity, the power quality is always at it maximum.
Power Quality Rating 3DFS Technology uses an independent metric that more accurately describes the quality of the power delivered through the entire system called the Power Quality Rating (PQR). It represents the efficiency of energy transfer in the electrical environment.
Description of the Benefits: 3DFS Technology sets a new bar for accuracy in electricity data measurement providing subcycle analysis of electricity flow, which is a critical component of the power quality. Multiparametric measurement of electricity provides a fidelity of data that has the ultimate trust value.
Comparison to existing technology / methodologies: Determining power quality in other technologies rely on an analog measurement of electricity called RMS (Root Mean Squared). This form of measurement does not measure absolute values of electrical parameters, rather it is calculated from the average of various integrated values.
This method is incapable of accurately determining power quality. It is similar to feeling a sick child’s forehead to determine the fever temperature as opposed to using a thermometer.
Definition of the Term: 3DFS Technology leverages the Digital Multiparametric Measurement to record device and event electrical signatures using 26 separate electrical parameters at MHz frequencies. This multidimensional method of electrical signature identification ensures instant accuracy when identifying a device or event, even distinguishing between identical devices in the same circuit. This approach allows 3DFS Technology to map the changes in the signature and generate precise data on the wear and tear of devices over time. This insight is required for accuracy in Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics for industrial, commercial and residential operations.
Description of the Benefits: The Multiparametric electrical signature analysis grants an incredible advantage over traditional current signature analysis. The granularity of data reveals a unique digital fingerprint of the pattern of electricity consumption for each device. Even identical devices have tiny variances and differences that make them consume electricity slightly differently making up a unique and identifiable electrical signature.
This is beneficial because it allows non-intrusive load monitoring for an entire facility’s infrastructure and assets to be done with one sensor monitoring the main panel. If there are 100 identical devices in an electrical network, all operating independently of one another, each one can be individually identified and tracked software without requiring additional sensors.
Comparison to existing technology / methodologies: The existing method of electrical signature analysis uses RMS measurement to acquire a few parameters that provide very little information on the electricity. Typically, current signature analysis is used and the Wattage is the metric that is the most important. This approach cannot distinguish between devices and can be wildly inaccurate depending on how much noise is in the networks during monitoring.
Definition of the Term: 3DFS Technology leverages the Multiparametric Electrical Signature Analysis to track the changes in the electrical signature for each device over time providing valuable information about the performance and life expectancy of the device.
As devices operate, analysis of the work performed reveals energy consumption patterns as an identifiable signature for each of the mechanical actions performed. These signatures are tracked and the differences are examined and tracked for a real time understanding of the ever shifting power consumption (i.e. analyzing and comparing startup signatures, or signatures during the load transition of a motor, etc.).
Over time, there is a slow wearing and tearing of components in devices powered by electricity that results in mechanical failure. 3DFS Technology is always analyzing and recording the multiparametric signature pattern leading up to the downtime. For the device, the electrical signature profile that is created becomes a single digital map of the device performance. It is in essence the medical records of the device, which also opens up a new market of device repair and diagnostics using electrical signature analysis.
Description of the Benefits: Accuracy in predictive analytics brings certainty to repair and maintenance schedules, building infrastructure management and business forecasting
Comparison to existing technology / methodologies: In today’s market there are many different approaches to predictive analytics other than electrical signature analysis, however they are all measuring secondary parameters. For example, a trendy method today is vibration analysis to predict machine failure. The principle is that the wear and tear mentioned above will erode to the point where there is enough shaking in the device for a vibration sensor to register. There is a lot of time and damage that occurs between the wear and tear event starting and when it is causing noticeable vibrations.
When a device changes it mechanics due to wear and tear, the very first place it is noticeable is in the electricity usage. In the example mentioned above, 3DFS Predictive Analytics would identify the problem in the electrical signature weeks or months before vibration analysis could detect anything.
Definition of the Term: 3DFS Technology continuously and automatically balances the phases in three phase electrical networks. The technology draws the current equally on all phases from the upstream transformer and immediately cleans and redistributes the precise current demanded to the appropriate phases. This maintains optimum balance in the electrical network and zeroes the neutral wire as well.
Imbalanced phases in multiphase networks are a safety concern because they result in breakers being tripped and neutral line currents which can interrupt power to operations. They are a profitability concern for any business owner because waste electricity as heat and contribute to downtime, as well as increase the required maintenance, repair and replacement of existing infrastructure. And they are also an environmental concern because electricity must be generated only to be wasted as heat.
Description of the Benefits: The major benefit of automatic phase balancing is that it permanently solves the problem. With balanced phases, there is less noise and heat in the electrical environment, less downtime, and lower energy costs.
Comparison to existing technology / methodologies: Today’s solutions for balancing phases for facility managers and microgrid operators are all load based physical solutions. They do not fix the problems, they mask the effects and kick the can down the road while the network continues to suffer and waste energy.
The solutions include:
If you are considering any of these solutions, it is imperative to understand that they are the equivalent of putting a band aid on an infection; it does nothing to stop the problem, it only hides it from sight. This approach over time produces larger, more severe problems and always increases the operating costs.
Definition of the Term: Electricity’s purpose is to transfer energy so that work can be performed. The energy becomes electricity which becomes power to do work. When the energy becomes electricity which is uncontrolled and distorted, then the power is distorted resulting in poor quality work. If an entire facility has uncontrolled electricity, all of the devices are consuming more electricity, working harder and failing sooner than with controlled electricity.
Software-Defined Electricity is continuously maintaining the highest quality electricity in the electrical network. This guarantees that all of your devices are cleanly powered which results in a significant improvement in work.
Description of the Benefits: Perfect work is defined by the machine that is working. Some examples of improvements in machines are:
Comparison to existing technology / methodologies: There is no other technology that perfects energy transfer in electrical networks.
Definition of the Term: Software-Defined Electricity is maintains voltage with digital precision at all times including during turbulent electrical network events with controlled injection and extraction of current.
Description of the Benefits: A rock steady voltage delivered to a facility reduces downtime, improves productivity and protects the assets and equipment from the dangers of fluctuating voltage.
Comparison to existing technology / methodologies: Software-Defined Electricity stabilizes the voltage during electrical correction. This is another parameter that is digitally maintained at the microsecond level so that any natural occurring event that would typically shift the voltage up or down is counterbalanced.
Voltage stabilization today is predominantly done with some form of ferroresonance stabilization or using capacitors. These methods are highly inefficient, wasting enormous amounts of energy and do not fix the problem.
Definition of the Term: Software-Defined Electricity provides the ability to “plug and play” generators of any size, brand or type into an electrical network seamlessly without concern for power quality problems.
Description of the Benefits: Software-Defined Electricity dynamically monitors the electrical energy flow in a network and perform the necessary corrections that are needed at that moment for that specific microsecond. Because the electrical energy flow is automatically adjusted for the real time network, generators no longer have to be oversized for the network reducing fuel consumption by more than 25%.
Comparison to existing technology / methodologies: Existing methods for paralleling generators is to use some form of static Ferroresonance stabilization or capacitor based stabilization.
Definition of the Term: Software-Defined Electricity provides a real time responsive microgrid, that includes the ability to “plug and play” generators, renewables, batteries, fuel cells etc. of any size, brand or type into an electrical network seamlessly without concern for power quality problems. Equally on the load side, the electricity can be consumed in any amount or pattern without having any feedback effect on the electrical network.
Description of the Benefits: Software-Defined Electricity will dynamically and constantly match the impedance of the network at the microsecond level, no matter the power source. This is the ONLY WAY that microgrid islanding is possible without enormous losses, instability and limited time off grid. In addition to islanding, the entire microgrid (source to load) will have ideal electrical efficiency, consuming the least amount of energy possible and resulting in the lowest carbon footprint.
Comparison to existing technology / methodologies: There are none that can island seamlessly, without losses and indefinitely as long as the power source can support the load.
