Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays in Meshed Active Distribution Network Using Imperialistic Competition Algorithm

The optimal setting of directional overcurrent relays(DOCRs)ensures the fault detection and clearing in the minimum possible operation time.Directional protective relaying is carried out to coordinate relay settings in a meshed network in the presence of distributed generation.The main goal of DOCR coordination is to find the optimal time dial setting(TDS)and pickup multiplier setting(PMS)to reach the minimum total operation time of all primary relays in the presence of coordination constraints.Due to the complexity of mixed integer non-linear programming(MINLP)problem,imperialistic competition algorithm(ICA)as a powerful evolutionary algorithm is used to solve the coordination problem of DOCRs.The proposed DOCR coordination formulation is implemented in three different test cases.The results are compared with the standard branch-and-bound algorithm and other meta-heuristic optimization algorithms,which demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Designing a Protection Scheme in Micro-Grid Systems with DG Using Central Protection Unite and Multiple Setting Group Protection Relays

Distributed generators now is widely used in electrical power networks, in some cases it works seasonally, and some types works at special weather conditions like photo voltaic systems and wind energy, and due to this continuous changes in generation condition, the fault current level in network will be affected, this changes in fault current level will affect in the coordination between protection relays and to keep the coordination at right way, an adaptive protection system is required that can adaptive its setting according to generation changes, the fault current level in each case is evaluated using ETAP software, and the required relay setting in each case is also evaluated using Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) algorithm, and to select suitable setting which required in each condition, to select the active setting group of protection relay according to generation capacity, central protection unite can be used, and to improve protection stability and minimizing relays tripping time, a proposed method for selecting suitable backup relay is used, which leads to decrease relays tripping time and increase system stability, output settings for relays in all cases achieved our constrains.

Summary of Useful Concepts About the Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Protections

This paper summarizes some useful concepts about the coordination of directional overcurrent protections.The following key topics are described:the analysis of systems in a ring configuration and only one source of short-circuit currents;the impossibility of obtaining selectivity for all the possible system configurations with multiple sources;the need for inverse functions in order to obtain selectivity in systems with multiple sources;the coordination with protections for radial loads;the coordination between instantaneous and delayed functions;the considerations to select the pickup values;the influence of contributions from motors to short circuit currents;the transient configurations due to sequential trips at both line ends;the influence of dynamic behavior of overcurrent functions;the influence of stability constraints;other specific considerations for ground functions;some specific considerations for systems with distributed generation.A summary of these points and their effect on the coordination of directional overcurrent protections is not available in the current literature.This novel description should facilitate the inclusion of these key points in research and coordination studies related to these protective functions.

Fast Protection Scheme for Active Distribution Networks: Breaking Chains by Utilizing Auxiliary Relays

Due to the swift expansion and the deployment of distributed generation, protection systems of active distribution networks are more expected to be fast. In loop-based active distribution networks, directional overcurrent relays(DOCRs) are caught in different chains. These chains stand as the severe obstacle to follow fast-response protection, which remains a significant challenge. In this paper, to overcome this challenge, a fast protection scheme is proposed to break the chains in the corresponding loops by deploying auxiliary DOCRs. The most effective constraint associated with each chain is relaxed during the coordination process. Then, the auxiliary relays are employed to play the backup roles instead of conventional backup relays in the relaxed constraints. To avoid the misoperation of relays in the proposed scheme, low bandwidth communication links are suitably employed. Furthermore, the auxiliary relays are optimally placed and adjusted. The proposed approach demonstrates a mixed-integer nonlinear programming model which is tackled by particle swarm optimization(PSO) algorithm. Detailed simulation studies are carried out to verify the performance of the proposed approach.