Russian Scientists Create a ‘Smart’ Controller for Stable Power Supply
A research team at LETI, the Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University, has developed a chaos‑theory‑based controller that prevents dangerous voltage spikes and ensures seamless synchronization in autonomous energy systems.
A New Solution to a Critical Power Stability Problem
Scientists at Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University LETI have created a “smart” controller designed to prevent hazardous voltage surges in industrial power networks. The device ensures flawless synchronization of uninterruptible power sources — a capability essential for stable operation at remote oil platforms, isolated extraction sites, and other strategically important facilities.
The issue the researchers address occurs within fractions of a second during generator switching. If the backup power source is not synchronized with the grid with absolute precision, it can trigger a short circuit, shut down industrial equipment, and cause multimillion‑dollar losses.
Existing synchronization systems, built on a “master‑slave” logic, often struggle to maintain stability in “weak” autonomous grids and cannot be easily scaled.
A System That Syncs Like Applause — Without a Conductor
The new LETI controller uses a fundamentally different mechanism based on mathematical models derived from chaos theory and nonlinear oscillators. It works similarly to how applause syncs in a crowd or how heart cells align their rhythm — the system harmonizes itself without a single external “conductor.”
A Microcomputer With Specialized Software — and a Patent
Technically, the invention is a compact microcomputer running specialized software. The system is already protected by a Russian patent.
The implementation of this technology marks an important step in the digital transformation of Russia’s energy sector. It significantly increases the reliability of critical infrastructure in hard‑to‑reach regions such as the Arctic and remote extraction zones.
