An Adaptive Protection Philosophy for Embedded Renewable Distributed Generators in Low Voltage Radial Networks

摘要

By placing optimally sized, selected and placed clusters of renewable based microgrids in low voltage radial distribution networks emergent energy demands are met. However, this leads to fundamental changes and challenges in the topology and protection coordination performance, due to the increased dynamic fault currents, complex operation and control of the embedded microgrid. With the use of an optimization algorithm along with communication and sequence component based relays with existing protection methods, effective microgrid adaptability and protection coordination in the radial distribution network is achieved. An adaptive hybrid protection philosophy and optimization function is used to assist in maintaining the protection coordination. This improves the protection selectivity, sensitivity, stability and reliability of the existing radial low voltage distribution network when protection adaptable renewable based microgrids are integrated.