A Comprehensive Review of Active Islanding Detection Methods and Islanding Assessment in a Grid Connected Solar Based Microgrid

Abstract

AbstractIn this literature, different islanding and their detection techniques are overviewed for the power system network consisting of distribution system along with Distributed Generator (DG). As penetration of renewable energy utilization and DG are increasing continuously, it is important for a power system engineer to detect and mitigate any possible occurrence of islanding event. Islanding Detection Methods (IDMs) are divided as remote and local methods. Remote methods requires communication system for efficient operation while local methods are again categorised into three types active, passive and hybrid methods. Active methods are based on direct interaction with the power system operation via perturbation and passive methods are based on utilization of local parameters while hybrid methods are the amalgamation of active and passive. These IDMs for DG are described and analysed as per detection time, advantage, disadvantage, Non Detection Zone (NDZ) and power quality issues. This work will give a broad idea for selecting the better one of IDMs. Selection of IDMs are based on four relevant performance indices. A better IDM has a minimum NDZ with lower detection time without degrading the power quality. Integration of Renewable energy sources can pose technical challenges. Unintentional Islanding may result in issues such as system instability, degradation in power quality and malfunctioning of protection system. Fast and efficient methods needs to be developed to prevent unintentional islanding. To achieve better reliability and high accuracy, different islanding detection methods (IDMs) have been discussed in this research work. An extensive analysis of IDMs based on different technical aspects is presented. A techno-economical comparison of IDMs is presented based on recent trends related to monitoring islanding events. Additionally, a simulation study for a grid connected Solar based Microgrid is presented to analyze five different islanding detection methods under unintentional islanding. Comparison of IDMs is based on trip signal generation under two different loading scenarios during an islanding event.KeywordsIslandingDistributed generatorLocal parametersNon detection zonePower qualityPhotovoltaicUtility grid