An Enhancement of Protection Strategy for Distribution Network Using the Communication Protocols

Abstract

One of the main challenges to design a proper protection scheme for a microgrid is the dynamic characteristics in the architecture for the microgrid. The relay settings need to change with every configuration in the system to properly isolate a fault. This article proposes a centralized control approach using a cosimulation platform to monitor operational modes and multiple microgrid topologies to find fault and clear them optimally. The simulation software, embedded microcontrollers, and a real communication architecture are collectively used to perform the protection scheme platform. The data distribution service middleware is used to link between the hardware and software environments. The proposed technique helps to identify the shortest path from the source to the fault location. The proposed main control center is responsible for adjusting the relay settings based on the active topology and the shortest path to the fault. This technique is investigated on IEEE 14 bus microgrid system for all the possible fault paths. The proposed scheme can clear the fault by isolating the minimum part of the system and improving the endurance of the power to supply the different loads in the system.