Fault Current Limiter Placement to Reduce Recloser ‑ Fuse Miscoordination in Electric Distribution Systems with Distributed Generation using Multiobjective Particle Swarm Optimization

Abstract

This paper presents a method to minimize protective devices in electric distribution systems with Distributed Generation (DG). With the growing penetration of DG in distribution systems, the main practice to maintain protective devices coordination during a fault is to disconnect all DG sources. This practice nullifies the benefits brought by DG in distribution systems, mainly because the majority of faults are proven to be temporary. To solve this problem, this paper proposes the allocation of fault current limiters (FCL), which consist in inert devices on system's normal operation, but insert a high impedance value in series with feeders when a fault occurs, thus, limiting is magnitude. FCL placement is treated as a multiobjective optimization problem, aiming to reduce fault currents difference between situations with DG and without DG penetration. Also, FCL size must be minimized, aiming to reduce costs. The search for the optimal solution is made using multiobjective particle swarm optimization and the method is tested on the Canadian Benchmark Test System, showing great efficiency.