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.

Application of new directional logic to improve DC side fault discrimination for high resistance faults in HVDC grids

This paper proposes a simple and fast way to determine the direction of a fault in a multi-terminal high voltage direct current(HVDC) grid by comparing the rate of change of voltage(ROCOV) values at either side of the di/dt limiting inductors at the line terminals. A local measurement based secure and fast protection method is implemented by supervising a basic ROCOV relay with a directional element. This directional information is also used to develop a slower communication based DC line protection scheme for detecting high resistance faults. The proposed protection scheme is applied to a multi-level modular converter based three-terminal HVDC grid and its security and sensitivity are evaluated through electromagnetic transient simulations. A methodology to set the protection thresholds considering the constraints imposed by the breaker technology and communication delays is also presented. With properly designed di/dt limiting inductors,the ability of clearing any DC transmission system fault before fault currents exceeds a given breaker capacity is demonstrated.

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.

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.