Adaptive overcurrent protection scheme coordination in presence of distributed generation using radial basis neural network

The operational performance of conventional overcurrent protection relay coordination connected to a distribution network is adversely afected by the penetration of distributed generators (DG) at diferent buses in the network. To address this problem, this paper proposes a novel adaptive protection coordination scheme using a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN), which automatically adjusts the overcurrent relay settings, i.e., time setting multiplier (TSM) and plug setting multiplier (PSM) based on the penetration of DGs. Short circuit currents and voltages measured at diferent buses are acquired using the remote terminal units (RTU) connected to diferent buses within the terminal network. Communication between the various remotes and local end station RTUs is through hybrid communication systems of fber optic and power line communication system modules. The new adaptive overcurrent protection scheme is applied to the IEEE 33-bus distribution network with and without DGs, for single and multi-DG penetration using both the ETAP and MATLAB software. The simulation results show the proposed scheme signifcantly improves the protection coordination.     

Adaptive non-communication protection for power lines BO scheme1-The delayed operation approach

This paper proposes a new technique in power line protection, the "adaptive non-communication protection". In this technique, protection relays make operate or restraint decisions, adapting to system and fault conditions, without the need for communication links. Operation without communication links to signal the remote end relay is achieved by the detection and identification of the operation of the circuit breaker at the remote end of the protected line section. An algorithm based on symmetric components is proposed to detect and identify the balance condition of the power system during the fault. The paper is focused on one of the three protection schemes based on the new technique, the delayed operation scheme. Simulation studies carried out for various power systems and fault conditions have demonstrated its feasibility     

New coordination approach to minimize the number of re-adjusted relays when adding DGs in interconnected power systems with a minimum value of fault current limiter

The presence of DGs in power networks tends to negatively affect relays coordination. Adding fault current limiters FCLs is one of the possible solutions to mitigate negative impacts of DGs addition on protection systems. Traditional schemes have estimated the minimum value of FCL to restore relays coordination when adding DGs without resetting of any relays. That minimum value of FCL in such case is called a critical value, where below this value the relays coordination will be lost.Nowadays, designing FCL to simultaneously achieve two conflicted objectives of good performance and low cost is considered a great challenge. The paper introduces a new scheme to determine to what extent we could decrease FCL impedance value below its critical value with re-adjusting the original settings of only one adaptive relay to get relays coordination. Decreasing FCL value below its critical value will reduce the cost especially for superconductivity FCL. The proposed scheme can determine the location of that selected relay to be an adaptive one and estimate its re-adjusted new settings to be applied when DGs are added while inserting the reduced value of FCL.Actually the proposed scheme can be applied for any networks irrespective of the number of added DGs and their capacities; while having an adaptive relay is the only requirement to implement it.The proposed approach is implemented and effectively tested on the large well-known interconnected IEEE-39 bus test system with 84 relays. Its results are compared with other approaches where, no re-adjusted relays settings are applied. A noteworthy advantage of the proposed scheme is the ability to implement a reduced FCL value than the critical value, by adjusting only one relay settings in the whole network. The proposed scheme may also be extended to re-adjust settings of more than one relay and get further reduced value of FCL. Furthermore, it is also shown that a more optimum value of the total operating time of all primary relays for near end faults is achieved when applying the proposed method rather than other traditional schemes.     

Adaptive non-communication protection for power lines BO scheme3-The accelerated operation approach

This paper presents the accelerated operation scheme of the adaptive noncommunication protection technique for power lines with complex configurations, such as multi-end feeders and ring mains. In the scheme, the overcurrent directional relays are arranged in two operating modes, the fixed time operation and accelerated operation. The relays with faster operating time in the conventional time grading coordination remain unchanged. The new technique is employed to enable accelerated operation to be achieved for the relays which are in the positions for which slow operating time is set when using conventional time grading technique. For a fault occurring on the protected system, the relays of fixed time operation mode will operate at the preset time for the fault within its protected direction. The relays which are programmed to use accelerated operation mode will determine whether a fault is on the protected section or not by using the BO technique, that is to detect the circuit breaker operation by determining whether the line section is in a balanced operation condition or not. The relay makes accelerated tripping decisions for a fault on its protected section. Simulation studies of the responses to various system and fault conditions show that the scheme can significantly increase the speed of the relay responses in the protection of power line systems with complex configurations     

Applying CTs with digital ground relays

Industrial power distribution system substation transformers and generator step-up transformers in power stations often use resistance-grounded wye secondary windings for medium-voltage power distribution. The purpose of this is to limit damage due to ground-fault currents, while providing sufficient fault current for the operation of ground-fault relaying. The relaying used to protect against ground faults in the system may not provide sufficient protection of the transformer winding against internal faults because the backup ground overcurrent relay in the transformer neutral-to-ground connection must be set to coordinate with downstream relays. In order to protect the winding itself, special relays are utilized. Ground differential protection can be provided by digital overcurrent relays in conjunction with auxiliary ratio matching transformers. Ground differential protection can also be provided in multifunction digital relays. Transformer protection relays may include this feature with one of the schemes used with component relays. If a feeder-protection relay is used on the secondary, in some cases, this may have a ground-directional feature that can be utilized for ground-differential protection     

基于系统电压分布曲线拟合的后备保护方案

拓扑结构的多样性和电源特性的复杂性使得基于稳态电流量的后备保护整定工作量大且失配现象时有发生,无需整定且具有自动配合功能的后备保护技术是继电保护工作人员追求的目标。在分析了传统反时限过流保护存在的问题和辐射状配电网正、负序电压故障分量分布特征的基础上,提出了基于系统电压分布曲线拟合的后备保护方案。所提方案利用综合电压序分量的系统分布与各级保护实现逐级配合的最小动作时间拟合具有反时限特性的动作曲线,得出拟合后的分段函数表达式。由其计算的保护动作时间可自动反映各保护与故障位置的拓扑关联关系,在满足选择性和快速性要求的前提下实现各级保护的自适应配合。DG接入不会改变综合电压序分量的分布特征,因而所提方法对含DG的网络具有自适应性。理论分析和仿真结果表明,所提方法可自动实现任一点故障时上下级保护的快速、逐级配合。     

Algorithmic-knowledge-based adaptive coordination in transmission protection

Changes in power system operating conditions can affect both the reach point of distance relays and the coordination of distance and overcurrent relays. To improve the performance of the protection system, an adaptive scheme of relay settings is proposed. That is possible since the protection relays became digital . This paper describes a system for online adaptive setting and coordination of protection relays in meshed networks where the backup protection is achieved in remote form. After changes in the state of the network, an expert system (ES) performs the detection and proposes the correction of erroneous settings of protection zones and miscoordinations between relays at different stations; through an algorithm based on a fast determination of a nonminimal set of "break-points" (BPs) relays , new time characteristics for the coordination are found. The results of the application of the developed system to a test network of 34 nodes, 55 branches, and 110 relays are shown.     

Coordination of dual setting overcurrent relays in microgrid with optimally determined relay characteristics for dual operating modes

Fault current magnitude in a microgrid depends upon its mode of operation, namely, grid-connected mode or islanded mode. Depending on the type of fault in a given mode, separate protection schemes are generally employed. With the change in microgrid operating mode, the protection scheme needs to be modified which is uneconomical and time inefficient. In this paper, a novel optimal protection coordination scheme is proposed, one which enables a common optimal relay setting which is valid in both operating modes of the microgrid. In this context, a common optimal protection scheme is introduced for dual setting directional overcurrent relays (DOCRs) using a combination of various standard relay characteristics. Along with the two variables, i.e., time multiplier setting (TMS) and plug setting (PS) for conventional directional overcurrent relay, dual setting DOCRs are augmented with a third variable of relay characteristics identifier (RCI), which is responsible for selecting optimal relay characteristics from the standard relay characteristics according to the IEC-60255 standard. The relay coordination problem is formulated as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem, and the settings of relays are optimally determined using the genetic algorithm (GA) and the grey wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm. To validate the superiority of the proposed protection scheme, the distribution parts of the IEEE-14 and IEEE-30 bus benchmark systems are considered.     

Fault diagnosis in distribution networks with distributed generation

The penetration of distributed generation (DG) in distribution power system would affect the traditional fault current level and characteristics. Consequently, the traditional protection arrangements developed in distribution utilities are difficult in coordination. Also, the reclosing scheme would be affected. With the rapid developments in distribution system automation and communication technology, the protection coordination and reclosing scheme based on information exchange for distribution power system can be realized flexibly. This paper proposes a multi-agent based scheme for fault diagnosis in power distribution networks with distributed generators. The relay agents are located such that the distribution network is divided into several sections. The relay agents measure the bus currents at which they are located such that it can detect and classify the fault, and determine the fault location. The proposed technique uses the entropy of wavelet coefficients of the measured bus currents. The performance of the proposed protection scheme is tested through simulation of two systems. The first system is a benchmark medium voltage (MV) distribution system and the second system is practical 66 kV system of the city of Alexandria.     

Data-mining model based adaptive protection scheme to enhance distance relay performance during power swing

The paper presents a data-mining model based adaptive protection scheme enhancing distance relay performance during power swing for both compensated and uncompensated power transmission networks. In the power transmission network, the distance relays are sensitive to certain system event such as power swings, which drive the apparent impedance trajectories into the protection zones of the distance relay (zone-3) causing mal-operation of the distance relay, leading to subsequent blackouts. Further, three-phase balanced symmetrical fault detection during power swing is one of the serious concerns for the distance relay operation. This paper proposed a new adaptive protection scheme method based on data-mining models such as DT (decision tree) and RF (random forests) for providing supervisory control to the operation of the conventional distance relays. The proposed scheme is able to distinguish power swings and faults during power swing including fault zone identification for series compensated power transmission network during stress condition like power swing. The proposed scheme has been validated on a 39-bus New England system which is developed on Dig-Silent power factory commercial software (PF4C) platform and the performance indicate that the proposed scheme can reliably enhance the distance relay operation during power swing.     

Overcurrent protection for distribution feeders with renewable generation

Distribution systems in Taiwan are typically radial type or normally open loop type. Distribution feeders have a simple protection system that usually employs overcurrent relays. When renewable generation (RG) is connected to the distribution feeder, the feeder changes from a single-source system to a complex multi-source system, which causes loss of the original coordination among feeder protection devices. The operation of RG units can cause protection failure. Fault current produced by RG units may reduce the current measured by the feeder relay. Therefore, this paper proposes connecting RGs to the feeder via four-way circuit switches with overcurrent relays, and dividing the feeder into several protection zones. Each protection zone is capable of isolating fault itself.The algorithm process and design procedure of overcurrent protection are also proposed for distribution feeders with RG. Results of this research provide a valuable reference for overcurrent protection that improved protection coordination and system reliability.     

面向多能互补微网的故障辨识与继电保护算法

由于含有多种具有互补特性的分布式电源,多能互补微电网在能源综合利用、供电可靠性和运行经济性方面具有明显的优势。然而与传统配电网相比,各类分布式电源的并入导致微电网拓扑结构和运行方式变得更为复杂,并网和离网运行对应的故障特性存在差异,使得传统继电保护方案难以满足此类微电网保护的要求。针对这一问题,首先围绕传统继电保方案的不足展开讨论,分析微电网网内故障特点,继而提出一种适用于微电网的改进故障辨识算法,以实现对网内故障的快速准确辨识。综合考虑多能互补微网继电保护的需求,结合改进故障辨识算法,将改进电流差动保护与广域自适应电流速断保护相结合,提出一种适用于微电网分布式电源上下游线路的综合继电保护算法,在缩小故障影响范围的基础上,提高保护响应速度并降低保护拒动的概率。最后,利用RT-LAB实时仿真系统构建含风、光、储、微型燃气轮机等分布式电源在内的多能互补微网模型,通过网内模拟不同类型故障,验证了所提故障辨识和继电保算法的有效性。     

基于故障相关区域自适应划分的分布式保护新原理

分布式发电(DG)条件下的配电网潮流流向发生了很大变化,传统的配电网保护原理已不再适用于DG系统。结合多DG接入下的配电网部分母线节点可以通过电流量来判断故障方向的特点,提出了一种具有较强自适应性的故障相关区域划分方法,而这种分布式的、缩小上传保护电流数据范围的算法减少了保护数据在信道上排队避让的时间,保护装置只需得到故障相关区域内的故障电流数据即可正确动作,实现了保护的选择性及速动性,降低了对通信系统的依赖性。将IEC61850应用在DG系统的继电保护中,可以解决DG的保护与控制系统中的异构性和保护数据异步传输的问题。最后通过实验验证了该算法的快速性。     

Development of adaptive protection scheme for distribution systems with high penetration of distributed generation

Conventional power distribution system is radial in nature, characterized by a single source feeding a network of downstream feeders. Protection scheme for distribution system, primarily consisting of fuses and reclosers and, in some cases, relays, has traditionally been designed assuming the system to be radial. After connecting distributed generation (DG), part of the system may no longer be radial, which means the coordination might not hold. The effect of DG on coordination will depend on size, type, and placement of DG. This paper explores the effect of high DG penetration on protective device coordination and suggests an adaptive protection scheme as a solution to the problems identified. Results of implementation of this scheme on a simulated actual distribution feeder are reported.     

基于故障稳态分量的含DG配电网自适应方向电流保护方案

针对分布式电源(DG)大量接入配电网后保护可靠性低的问题,提出一种基于故障稳态分量的自适应方向电流保护方案。分析不同类型DG的故障暂态特性以及故障等值方法,计算系统短路电流所含分量,并揭示短路电流三相分量之间的关系。在此基础上,根据故障边界条件,获取系统故障稳态分量,再结合保护安装处的测量电压及测量电流,计算保护背侧等值电压和等值阻抗,构造不同故障类型下自适应方向电流保护判据。仿真结果表明该方案不受DG类型、DG出力以及系统运行方式影响,并能有效地防止电压跌落引起的延时保护拒动。     

Protection relay system using information network for distribution system with DGs

We propose a new protection scheme for selective and quick disconnection of a fault area in a distribution system, which can be flexibly adopted for a large‐scale introduction of distributed generators (DGs). When a fault occurs, relays provide a binary state signal which is activated if, for instance, the current at the corresponding relay location exceeds a certain value. Although each relay cannot locate the fault point with only its own signal, it can locate the fault by utilizing signals from other relays together with its own signal. Because only a binary state signal is transmitted instead of the actual physical variable such as the magnitude of the fault current, the network traffic is much less than when a conventional protection scheme for a transmission system using an information system is applied to a distribution system. The following are the main results of a simulation on our proposed protection scheme: (1) the proposed protection scheme can successfully disconnect only a fault feeder when the relays use signals provided from the sending end of the fault feeder and all other DGs on the same feeder, (2) in the case of a fault on a DG connected feeder, the DG can be disconnected within 0.06 s. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 155(4): 30–35, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20232     

A novel scheme for current-only directional overcurrent relay

Overcurrent relays are widely used as main protection in sub-transmission and distribution systems. In mesh and multi-source networks, application of directional relay is unavoidable. Traditional directional overcurrent relays use the reference voltage phasor as the polarizing quantity to estimate the direction of the fault. Traditional direction distinguishing scheme is unreliable in the case of close-in faults. In this paper, a novel algorithm for directional overcurrent relay is proposed. The new algorithm uses only current signals for determining the fault direction. It uses superimposed component of the current signal and does not require phasor estimation. This new algorithm uses pre-fault current signal as the polarizing quantity. The proposed method is tested on simple power system in different situations. The results show it leads to fast and reliable directional protection.     

Communication-based Adaptive Protection for Distribution Systems Penetrated with Distributed Generators

In this article, a communication-based adaptive over-current protection scheme for distribution systems penetrated with distributed generators is proposed. A communication network between the over-current relays, the distributed generators, and the utility grid is employed to automatically update the settings of the protective relays. Moreover, the communication reliability is increased through the addition of a backup communication system. The proposed scheme has the advantage of operating during grid-connected and islanding modes of operation. The scheme employs two simultaneous algorithms. The first algorithm works when the system configuration is changed due to the connection/disconnection of a distributed generator or the utility grid. The second algorithm efficiently uses the exchanged information between the relays to identify the faulted section and hence speeds up fault clearance. The proposed scheme is tested for difierent fault conditions as well as for different system configurations. The results demonstrated that relay operating times, including the communication delay, are greatly reduced when the faulted section is identified and relay settings are adjusted accordingly. In addition, a negligible time delay was experienced when the backup communication network was put in service.     

新型继电保护发展现状综述

介绍了近年来国内外继电保护与故障测距新原理、新技术的现状及发展。简单总结了计算机对电力系统继电保护发展的影响。介绍了对故障信息的进一步利用;小波变换、神经网络等数学方法在继电保护领域中的应用;自适应原理继电保护的发展。新型继电保护的发展趋势是高速化、智能化、一体化,尽量避免测量元件对继电保护装置的影响。对故障信息的研究和充分利用是发掘继电保护新原理的基础,计算机在继电保护中的应用为充分利用故障信息     

Protection of power transformer using multi criteria decision-making

Power transformers are protected by different relays that operate independently. Malfunction of each relay has a major role in reducing the reliability of the protection system. In order to mitigate the main drawbacks of the power transformer relays, an overall protection scheme is presented in this paper. This scheme proposes a novel multi criterion algorithm using decision-making based on fuzzy logic. In this paper the outputs of restricted earth fault relay and a directional check unit, are combined with the output of the differential protection relay. Therefore, problems that are pertaining to independent operation of each relay have been mitigated and the relays cover protection blind spots of each other. The improved power transformer protection (IPTP) scheme enhances the sensitivity and reliability of the power transformer protection. Extensive simulations are used to measure the effectiveness and merit of the proposed IPTP relay. The above efforts result in a multi criteria approach for protection of power transformers.