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Abstract
The efficient protection of electric power distribution networks against lightning discharges is a crucial problem for distribution electric utilities. To solve this problem, the great challenge is to find a solution for the installation of surge arresters at specific points in the electrical grid and in a sufficient quantity that can ensure an adequate level of equipment protection and be within the utility’s budget. As a solution to this problem of using ATP (Alternative Transient Program), this paper presents a methodology for optimized surge arrester allocation based on genetic algorithm (GA), with a fitness function that maximizes the number of protected equipment according to the financial availability for investment in surge arresters. As ATP may demand too much processing time when running large distribution grids, an innovative procedure is implemented to obtain an overvoltage severity description of the grid and select only the most critical electric nodes for the incidence of lightning discharges, in the GA allocation procedure. The results obtained for the IEEE-123 bus electric feeder indicate a great reduction of flashover occurrence, thus increasing the equipment protection level.
Highlights
Lightning discharges and operational maneuvers, such as switching of capacitor banks, can generate overvoltage that propagates in the electrical network
To perform the surge arrester allocation using the proposed GA procedure, firstly, it is necessary to model the electrical network via ATP input cards, which serve as template for the genetic algorithm
An innovative proposal is presented in this article for the analysis of criticality of electrical distribution networks in relation to overvoltage caused by direct lightning discharges and identifying the overvoltage severity at each electric node
Summary
Lightning discharges and operational maneuvers, such as switching of capacitor banks, can generate overvoltage that propagates in the electrical network. The increased levels of voltage in distribution networks cause concern to electric power utilities, because the presence of overvoltage can provoke, among others, malfunctioning and reduction of lifespan of equipment and devices, and in some cases might even cause permanent failures that may result in partial or complete shutdown of the electrical network. Using mitigating measures is essential in order to avoid these costs, and it is as important as mitigation to conduct preventive measures in order to protect the equipment and the electrical grid against overvoltage. One way to achieve equipment protection against high levels of overvoltage is through the installation of surge arresters along the power grid [1]. A surge arrester, as long as it is properly grounded, is able to damp overvoltage, sending part of the electrical current to ground
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