Protection System Coordination Research Articles

Integration of Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Coordination of DOCR Protection in Distributed Generation Systems

Distributed generation (DG) is an approach that involves adding decentralized power generation within a distribution network. Distributed generation systems can reduce transmission losses, increase the reliability of energy supply, minimize carbon emissions, and enable the active participation of consumers in energy production. However, with the increase in distributed generation, electric power systems face new challenges in maintaining operational reliability and safety. Disruptions such as short circuits or overcurrent can occur in the system, and appropriate protective responses are required to protect the power grid from more significant damage. The addition of DG also causes the short circuit current to vary and results in system protection coordination having to be redone. Carrying out coordination will take a long time. This research uses modeling and simulation of a distributed generation system with various operating conditions and works adaptively according to changes in the system due to the addition of DG. The results obtained from the simulation are used in neural network training to study the relationship patterns between directional overcurrent relays (DOCR) parameters and system operating conditions. The backpropagation algorithm is used in the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) training process. The training process utilizes the maximum Short Circuit Current (ISC) input obtained through generation, fault location, and fault type. Time Dial Setting (TDS) and Ipickup values are used as ANN training targets. After testing, the results obtained are in accordance with the target data. The efficacy of this method is further demonstrated through ETAP simulations, which confirm that ANN is a suitable approach for modeling adaptive and optimal relay coordination systems.

Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays using Growth Optimizer

The protection system plays a crucial role in the generation, transmission, and distribution systems of a power network. Among various protection relay types, Directional Overcurrent Relays (DOCRs) are the most used. When abnormal conditions are detected, these relays trigger the tripping of protection devices by detecting the direction and magnitude of current flow and isolating faulty parts of the system. The present article proposes a novel approach for the coordination and settings of DOCRs using the Growth Optimizer (GO) algorithm; the main objective is to minimize the sum of operation time of the relays while ensuring the minimal time gap between primary and backup relays. This optimization problem is subject to different constraints including maximum allowable operating times, relay coordination margins, and discrete values for pickup current settings. The technique is applied to the IEEE 4-bus, 8-bus, and 15-bus test systems, and its performance is compared with that of other optimization algorithms. Results show that the proposed approach provides the proper coordination of protection systems with a high, robust, and computationally acceptable speed of convergence.

Particle Swarm Optimization for Directional Overcurrent Relay Coordination with Distributed Generation

The Directional Overcurrent Relays (DOCRs) Coordination with Distributed Generation (DG) optimization problem is addressed in this study using the optimization method Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). Changes in fault current, bus voltages, power flow, and reliability may result from DG integration. Thus, it might have an impact on the current protection coordination system. The formulation is built on a Mixed Integer Non-Linear Programming (MINLP) problem to address this DOCR issue. MATLAB was used to validate the technique on the IEEE-14 bus system, and Electrical Test Transient Analyzer Programming (ETAP) version 2021 software was used to model the test system. According to the simulation results, the suggested PSO with DG for Case 2 has reduced power loss by 6.24% and relay operating time by 46.79% when compared to PSO without the presence of DG.

Evaluation method of the coordination degree between landscape protection and tourism development in the traditional village

Landscape protection and tourism development are a pair of contradictions in the revitalization of traditional villages. It is an important topic to study the coordination between them. This research reveals the interactive mechanism between the protection of traditional rural features and the development of tourism, based on which the evaluation model and index system of the coordination degree of the composite system are constructed. The result is illustrated by the example of the first three plots of traditional Chinese villages in the Gansu Longzhong area from 2013 to 2018. The evolution trend of the traditional village landscape protection subsystem, the development of the tourism subsystem, and the composite system’s coordination degree were analyzed. The results show that the coordination of traditional village landscape protection and tourism development composite system at the same base period gradually increases. Nevertheless, the coordination between adjacent base periods is at a low level. The increase in the synergy between the landscape protection subsystem and the tourism development subsystem tends to be the same, and the two subsystems are in a positive development that promotes each other. Based on the above conclusions, this research puts forward the coordination strategies and suggestions for the protection of traditional villages and tourism development.

Protection Coordination Analysis Study Considering The Arcflash In The Electrical System Of PLTU Paiton Unit III Using IEEE Standard 1584-2002

Arch flash is a disorder that often occurs in the electrical system of an industry or factory. In this research focusing on the analysis of the protection system by considering arc flash, it will be discussed in detail at the existing factory in East Java, namely PLTU Paiton unit 3 which is developing a unit with a capacity of 1x815 MW. The electrical system at PLTU Paiton unit 3 discusses only high and medium voltage systems. In order to support the continuity of the plant, to connect the Java-Bali electricity system, it is necessary to have a good protection coordination system to avoid black out due to one of the impacts caused by the arc of fire. After coordination of protection in the Paiton PLTU unit 3 system, arc analysis will be simulated with IEEE 1584-2002 standard calculations to find the magnitude of energy incidents and determine the safety limits of workers and also personal protective equipment according to NFPA 70E standards. The results of the study after resetting the protection coordination of PLTU Paiton unit 3 using differential rele on the SWGR-3A bus incident value of arc energy and Flash Protection Boundary (FPB) value decreased which originally reached a level outside level 4 (40cal / cm2) to level 3 (8.1-25cal / cm2), on the SWGR-3B bus the incidence energy value was at level 3 (8.1-25cal / / cm2) dropped to level 2 (4.1-8cal / cm2), for coal hand sys bus SWGR A the energy incident value from level 3 (8.1-25cal//cm2) drops to level 0 (0 -1.2cal/cm2), while for the coal hand sys SWGR B bus the energy incident value when existing conditions reach level 3 (8.1-25cal//cm2) drops to level 0 (0-1.2cal/cm2). After obtaining the energy level of the bus, then personal protective equipment can be determined.

A Self-Healing Strategy for Modern Distribution Networks

Electrical distribution companies have been investing in modernizing their structures, especially operation automation. The integration of information technologies and communications makes fast power restoration during fault events, providing better profit to companies and a more reliable and safe distribution network for customers. A self-healing strategy can be implemented for protection and control devices to work cooperatively, achieving the global purpose of automatic distribution system restoration. Thus, this work proposes a methodology for short-circuit fault detection, isolation of the faulted section, and restoration of downstream sections using neighbor feeders. The protection devices use standardized IEC and ANSI/IEEE functions to sensitize faults in the system and to promote adequate isolation, allowing the consequent restorative process. A genetic algorithm optimizes the devices’ parameters used in the protection scheme, making fastest the isolation process and ensuring the protection system coordination and selectivity. Results obtained using Simulink® allows for verifying the proposed methodology’s behavior and efficiency.

A Resilient Fire Protection System for Software-Defined Factories

A Smart Factory exploits information and communication technologies (ICT) to improve the production process and the working environment, usually addressing safety concerns. To this concern, factory-grade fire protection systems are governed by several procedures and standards whose application often becomes definitely challenging when the factory premises are dispersed across multiple administrative domains. In such contexts, the Smart Factory approach can prove very effective in the management and coordination of the factory-level fire protection system. However, a catastrophic event may compromise the ICT infrastructure, affecting communication among factory domains and therefore its smart services. A strategy to cope with the latter may be the introduction of mechanisms to handle data analysis on-site for a prompt response while enabling seamless data distribution and processing among neighboring (federated) ICT infrastructures and emergency operators. In this work, a novel software-defined approach for the adaptive management of a Smart Factory infrastructure is proposed, centered around business logic rewiring and reconfiguration at runtime across different factory domains. Thereby, even in the case of catastrophic (e.g., potentially disruptive) events, working devices of the emergency system can go on with their operations, including transferring data to rescuers and others emergency control systems. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed software-defined factory approach, a federated fire protection system operating in an industrial setting is implemented as a case study, able to promptly react and adapt to infrastructure-critical fires and their consequences by leveraging all information and computing facilities pooled over cloud/fog/edge devices spanning the premises.

Adaptive fuzzy directional bat algorithm for the optimal coordination of protection systems based on directional overcurrent relays

Despite bringing several benefits to modern power systems, distributed generation (DG) and microgrids cause a significant impact on the operation of power distribution networks, especially with regard to the protection system. The topological evolution of power distribution networks comprising DG units and the islanding capacity of microgrids have lead to significant changes in the magnitudes of short-circuit currents, consequently affecting the reliability of protection systems in terms of loss of selectivity (false tripping and/or sympathetic tripping), sensitivity (blind protection), and dynamic response (delayed trip). In this new scenario, the adoption of smart protection systems capable of incorporating advanced control and protection mechanisms is of paramount importance for ensuring the automatic reconfiguration and restoration of the power grid when undesirable phenomena like faults occur. Considering this scenario, this work proposes a novel metaheuristic called adaptive fuzzy directional bat algorithm (AFDBA), which can calculate optimal settings for directional overcurrent relays (DOCRs) in any power grid topology without the need for tuning the initial parameters. The technique is applied to three case studies, that is, the 3-bus, 9-bus, and 30-bus test systems. The algorithm performance is compared with that of genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), differential evolution (DE), bat algorithm (BA), and directional bat algorithm (DBA). The results evidence that the proposed approach has high convergence speed, high robustness, and acceptable computational burden, while providing the proper coordination of protection systems.

Increasing Capacity Impact of Power Source Sinergy on Power Flow Evaluation Based on Auxiliary Generator

Steam power plant PT Sinergy Power Source is one of the private steam power plants that have a capacity of 30 MW and supplies 3 main expenses namely PT Mekabox, PT Sopanusa, and PT Sunpaper. Currently, the total load that must be fulfilled by steam power plant PT SPS for the three factories is 25.33 MW and will continue to grow because of the increase in the production number of each plant. With the increasing amount of production, the amount of load will increase so that additional generator capacity is required. This research aims to determine the analysis of power flow planning and coordination setting system protection against the addition of 30 MW generator capacity. Analyze the power flow using ETAP software with the Adaptive Newton-Rapson method. The results of the study showed after the 30 MW generator was added, the work percentage of generators 1 and 2 was lighter and the value of the power flow is relatively the same if the load value is unchanged. For coordination of protection systems itself has been running correctly to handle disruption.

An Adaptive and Scalable Protection Coordination System of Overcurrent Relays in Distributed-Generator-Integrated Distribution Networks

Integration of distributed generators (DGs) into a distribution network (DN) can cause coordination challenges of overcurrent relays (OCRs) because of different fault-current contributions of DGs as well as the directional change in fault currents. Therefore, the OCRs should be properly coordinated to maintain their adaptability and scalability to protect the DG-integrated distribution network. In this study, an adaptive and scalable protection coordination (ASPC) approach has been developed for the OCRs in a DG-contained distribution network based on two implementation stages. At the first stage, the reliability improvement of fault-current calculation results is performed by determining the min-max confidence interval of fault current for each different fault type, which is the basis for properly selecting tripping and pick-up thresholds of definite-time and inverse-time OC functions in the same OCR. At the second stage, optimization algorithms are used for calculating protection-curve coefficients and Time-Dial Setting (TDS) multiplier for the inverse-time OC functions in the OCR. A real 22 kV DG-integrated distribution network which is simulated by ETAP software is considered a reliable test-bed to validate the proposed ASPC system of OCRs in the multiple-DG-contained distribution network. In addition, the coordination results of OCRs can be obtained by three common optimization algorithms, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA), and Genetic Algorithm (GA). These relay coordination results have shown an effective protection combination of the definite-time OC functions (50P and 50G) and the inverse-time OC functions (51P and 51G) in the same OCR to get the adaptable and scalable DN protection system.

Local Measurement-Based Protection Coordination System for a Standalone DC Microgrid

A reliable protection coordination system between the power electronic converters and solid-state device-based fast protection unit in a standalone dc microgrid supplied by a wave energy converter (WEC) and an energy storage unit is presented. A system model with solid-state circuit breakers is developed in Piecewise Linear Electrical Circuit Simulation (PLECS) to analyze the steady-state operation as well as faulted conditions. The effect of both resistive and constant power loads on a current-limited bus controlling converter behavior during an overload event is analyzed theoretically. Also, the variation in the WEC power output and its effect on bus voltage during overload are investigated. The analysis has led to a novel dual current-voltage feedback-based protection coordination system. The method does not require any communication between the solid-state circuit breakers and converters and eliminates the need for adaptive updating of the overcurrent threshold with varying renewable generation output. Bus capacitor discharge during a short-circuit is analyzed theoretically as well to formulate an instantaneous trip threshold selection utilizing device gate driver functionality. The proposed protection coordination system ensures rapid fault isolation and continued power delivery to the healthy segments. An SiC-based bidirectional, solid-state dc circuit breaker prototype is designed and fabricated, which has been used to implement the proposed protection method with a 380-V dc bus-based system.

Design of Electrical Setting Protection System Indarung VI Cement Plant (Case Study New Cement Plant Construction at PT Semen Padang)

Along with the rapid development of technology and the development of civilization, electrical energy is very important in all fields. This research will conduct a study on the electrical protection system design of PT Semen Padang's Indarung VI Cement Plant using the ETAP 12.6 software. PT Semen Padang's Indarung VI Cement Plant uses three transformers of 150 / 6.3 kV of 30/35 MVA (ONAN / ONAF) and each Main Substation has substations that will supply all the loads to be used. The power flow study shows that the addition of a capacitor bank and a tap changer setting will improve the power factor and voltage of the system, thereby reducing the power supply sent by PLN. The short circuit study shows that the largest short circuit current, which is 35 kA, can be protected by a circuit breaker with a breaking capacity of 40 kA. The protection system coordination study shows that the results of the overcurrent relay setting can protect the electrical system of Indarung VI Cement Plant selectively and safely.

Multi-Agent System-Based Hierarchical Protection Scheme for Distribution Networks With High Penetration of Electronically-Coupled DGs

With the increasing penetration of distributed generations, preserving the protection system coordination is of great importance for the distribution network operation. This paper presents a supplementary protection strategy for the multi-agent system (MAS)-based hierarchical protection scheme (HPS). The primary level of MAS-based HPS clears the fault and preserves the protection coordination while the higher levels update the relay settings. The key advantage of the proposed supplementary scheme is that the primary level can autonomously and quickly preserve the protection coordination when the main relay is during the time-consuming process of updating settings in the case of network operating condition change. By adopting converter-based DGs as the only MAS agents, the proposed supplementary scheme divides the distribution network into several zones that communicate together using point-to-point communication. Without communicating with higher protection levels, the supplementary protection limits the influence of DGs on the fault current by controlling the produced power of each zone. The effectiveness of the proposed strategy is validated through several simulation case studies on the Isfahan distribution network.

Modeling and Simulation of Under -Frequency Relay for Generator Protection

Power systems are undergoing structural changes induced by the combination of the operation of microgrids and distributed generation units. This transfiguration has impersonated new challenges in well-established power system practices, coordination of protection systems and especially on the design. Same time, technological improvements in protective equipment have set up the basis for the development of digital frequency relays which enable an alternate approach to standard protection schemes. It is necessary for the power system to operates, regulates and manages ancillary services more efficiently to maintain the reliability of the system. The power system is continually laying unexpected contingencies which cause inequality between load demand and generated power. Such uncertainties cause the disturbance in the power system frequency. The only way to maintain power system frequency by balancing load and generation. In this paper, we have designed the under frequency relay model in Matlab simulink. We have noticed that when the load on the system is increased, the designed model shed the extra load and are modeled through under frequency relay by comparing the frequency responses of the power system.  

WITHDRAWN: A review on microgrid architecture, cyber security threats and standards

Microgrids receive a great deal of interest as they efficiently and cleanly incorporate distributed generation into the main grid. Several considerations need to be addressed when designing a microgrid, such as the architecture, control system, load management system, protection system, communication system, cybersecurity and main grid coordination, etc. A detailed overview of the different types of architecture and its component features is presented in this paper. For efficient microgrid service, resilient information and communication technologies are a prerequisite. In the face of rising cyber-attacks and cyber-mistakes, the key challenge is to create a robust and stable microgrid. Many specifications have been proposed in recent years for the latest type of electricity grid. This article also provides a thorough overview of all requirements for micro grids that define cybersecurity problems. This might allow professionals to choose the architecture and guidelines to particular fields. In addition, the content obtained from the specifications will provide as access resources on micro grid system safety assessments.

A multi-agent-based integrated self-healing and adaptive protection system for power distribution systems with distributed generation

The development of self-healing systems in the context of power distribution networks has increased significantly over the last years. However, such feature causes changes in the power grid structure, which may affect the coordination of protection systems. This work proposes a self-healing system (SHS) integrated with an adaptive protection system (APS) based on multi-agent systems (MAS). This approach aims at minimizing adverse impacts caused by the network restoration on the protection systems of distribution networks that contain distributed generation (DG). The SHS uses negotiation among agents to maximize the number of restored loads, while the agents of the APS reset the protection settings after changes occur in the network topology and state of DGs. The APS is capable of changing the current setting group and, if necessary, calculating new settings that can be sent to the relays to ensure the accurate coordination of protection systems. The proposed schemes are evaluated in a test workbench using commercial digital relays in different scenarios comprising DG penetration levels and network topology changes. The results clearly demonstrate that this strategy is fast and reliable when enhancing and providing robustness to the self-healing procedure.

Optimal Allocation of Distributed Generation Considering Protection

The integration of distributed generation (DG) into the power grid has increased in recent years due to its techno-economic benefits for utilities and consumers. However, due to the fact that distribution systems were not originally designed to accommodate such DG units, many challenges are being faced by utilities to seamlessly integrate them into their systems. One of the critical challenges is their effect on protection system settings and coordination. The DG units will affect the pickup current settings of the protection relays, coordination between the primary and secondary relays, and even the direction of the fault current. Failing to consider DG’s effect on the protection system may lead to serious equipment damage or system failure, causing huge financial setbacks for utilities. To that end, this work proposes a new dynamic approach to optimally allocate different types of DG units over the planning horizon. The objective is to minimize the overall costs of the system while taking into consideration the intermittent nature of renewable DG and the impacts on the protection system. Simulation results have been developed on a typical distribution system to prove the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Evaluation of the Use of Class B LoRaWAN for the Coordination of Distributed Interface Protection Systems in Smart Grids

The adoption of the distributed generation paradigm is introducing several changes in the design and operation of modern distribution networks. Modern grid codes are becoming more and more complex, and the adoption of smart protection systems is becoming mandatory. However, the adoption of newer and smarter units is only half of the story. Proper communication networks must be provided as well, and the overall costs may become critical. In this work, the adoption of the Long-Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) technology is suggested as a viable approach to implement the coordination of Interface Protection Systems. A proper communication architecture based on the LoRaWAN Class B technology was proposed and evaluated in order to assess its feasibility for the considered application. A scalability analysis was carried out, by computing the number of devices that can be handled by a single LoRaWAN Gateway (GW) and the maximum expected time of response between a triggering event and the arrival of the related coordination command. The results of the study showed that up to 312 devices can be managed by a single GW, by assuring a maximum response time of 22.95 s. A faster maximum response time of 6.2 s is also possible by reducing the number of managed devices to 12.

An Improved Optimal Solution for the Directional Overcurrent Relays Coordination Using Hybridized Whale Optimization Algorithm in Complex Power Systems

The directional overcurrent relays (DOCRs) coordination is a useful tool in guaranteeing the safe protection of the power system by the proper coordination of primary and backup protection systems. The optimization model of this problem is non-linear and highly constrained. The main objective of this paper is to develop a hybridized version of the Whale optimization algorithm referred to as HWOA for the optimal coordination of the DOCRs. The hybridization is done by deploying the simulated annealing (SA) in the WOA algorithm in order to improve the best solution found after each iteration and enhance the exploitation by searching the most promising regions located by the WOA algorithm, which leads toward a globally optimum solution. The proposed algorithm has been applied to five test systems, including the IEEE 3-bus, 8-bus, 9-bus, 15-bus, and 30-bus test systems. Furthermore, the results obtained using the proposed HWOA are compared with those obtained using the traditional WOA and a number of up-to-date algorithms. The obtained results show the effectiveness of the proposed HWOA in minimizing the relay operating time for the optimal coordination of the DOCRs.

ANALISIS KOORDINASI RELAY ARUS LEBIH (OCR) DAN RECLOSER PADA SISTEM EKSISTING PENYULANG BUKIT JATI

Protection systems play an important role to maintain the reliability of distribution line. Over current relay (OCR) is one of the equipments used as a protection line of 20 kV distribution. Feeder of Bukit Jati is equipped over current protection relay equipment installed in Recloser of Banda and relay in the substation feeder. Based on the data of PT. PLN (Persero) APD Bali, there are 5 time-short circuit disorders which one of them tripped the Bukit Jati feeder. Problems over current relay coordination failures can be overcome by analyzing the coordination of protection systems in the feeder of Bukit Jati. The analysis was done by recalculating the over current relay setting and create the coordination curve of the existing setting and compared it with the coordination curve setting according to the calculation result. The results of the calculation of instant recloser recycling settings obtained by 1.246 A with time multiple setting (Tms) of 0.11 while the value of the instant current setting of the feeder of 2.992 A with Tms of 0.38. Based on the simulation result using ETAP program, it is known that over current relay coordination has worked according to the protection zone when the noise occurrence behind the recloser bus did not result in a trip feeder.