Abstract
Direct lightning discharges in overhead distribution networks invariably cause serious insulation damage, frequently leading to the electric system’s partial or total shutdown. Installing lightning arresters can be very effective, and it is commonly used to minimize this problem; however, considering that typically, electric distribution grids exhibit a very large number of electrical nodes, the massive use of lightning arresters may not be economically viable. In this way, this article proposes a methodology for allocating lightning arresters that can significantly reduce the number of lightning arresters installed, but at the same time maintaining an adequate protection level for the distribution grid. The proposed methodology, named Direct Discharge Crossing (DDC), analyzes the network criticality based on two main factors, which are the overvoltage magnitudes and the number of flashovers provoked by lightning discharges, and defines a feeder lightning performance function that is used to indicate the recommended location for lightning arresters’ installation. The simulation studies are accomplished using the IEEE 34 bus distribution grid and ATP software to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed solution, which is confirmed by the results presented.
Highlights
Electric power systems are subjected to different overvoltage levels, whether temporary, sustained, or arising from switching and lightning discharges
The methods of protecting electric distribution networks against lightning discharges are essentially based on three criteria [3], which are: the increased insulation level of the equipment; the use of shielding cables [4,5]; and the use of lightning arresters, the last two being the most used in most cases [6]
This paper presents a criticality analysis procedure applied to distribution feeders, based on a methodology called Direct Discharge Crossing (DDC)
Summary
Electric power systems are subjected to different overvoltage levels, whether temporary, sustained, or arising from switching and lightning discharges. Energies 2020, 13, 1580 as the use of effectively grounded shielding conductors throughout the electric network extension, an increased insulation class of insulators, and insertion of lightning arresters at all distribution grid poles theoretically would protect the network from disruptive effects caused by overvoltages of atmospheric origin. This procedure would make the electric network project unfeasible due to the high costs of purchasing and installing lightning arresters, insulators, and cables in view of the electric grid extension, number of poles, and complexity of these electric networks. Given the economic infeasibility of this solution and seeking an optimal point of using these measures, several technical papers have addressed the problem associated with lightning discharges in distribution networks, either in the optimization process for determining the best location for the insertion of lightning arresters [7,8,9] in addition to disruptive tests in high voltage laboratories [10] or computational simulations that consider the statistical nature of the incidence of lightning discharges [11,12]
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