Power Management and Protection of Distribution Systems with Distributed Generations

Abstract

Future electric distribution systems will deploy an increasing number of distributed generations (DG), with a large portion being renewable generations and some being fossil-fueled generations. There will be a rising number of microgrids that can operate in both grid-connected and off-grid mode. A microgrid has sufficient local generators to balance critical local loads in off-grid operation mode. Renewable generations including solar and wind generation are not dispatchable, and their power outputs are intermittent depending on weather conditions. Variability in renewable generations causes system voltage to fluctuate. So there is a need for power management and control systems for optimizing system operation and voltage regulation, which will be discussed in this chapter. A large penetration of DGs will pose challenges on protection of future distribution systems . This chapter presents a promising method for better protecting future distribution systems.