Application of Time-Voltage Characteristics in Overcurrent Scheme to Reduce Arc-Flash Incident Energy for Safety and Reliability of Microgrid Protection

Abstract

The interconnection between diverse Distribution Generations (DGs) that utilize various technologies and complex structure of networks are the most characteristic of modern Distribution Networks (DN). The wide adoption of DGs considerably affects the power flow dynamics in the DN and consequently the fault characteristics. The excessive level of fault currents can pose risks of heat (high temperature) and pressure in accordance to Arc Flash (AF) incident energy in microgrids. This research studies the relationship between AF severity and the solving of coordination problem of Overcurrent Relays (OCRs) in DN, and introduces a novel equation that considers the AF qualities in solving the coordination problem for OCRs. In this study, a novel optimization problem, the AF severity with the optimal coordination of OCRs in DN is presented and the Water Cycle Optimization Method (WCOM) is employed to find the best combination of the OCR’s settings in the DN while considering the AF induced energy. The proposed optimization approach and the novel equation are evaluated with an IEC microgrid and compared with the conventional protection method and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) used in optimizing the coordination of OCR in the DN. The optimal settings of the OCR scheme are achieved and examined on the modified IEC microgrid benchmark system. In order to verify the result, an industrial simulation package (ETAP) and OCR (GE Multiin, model-750/760) was used in this work.

Enhancing resilience of advanced power protection systems in smart grids against cyber–physical threats

“…In this study, the water cycle algorithm, as a robust and powerful optimization technique for solving OCR coordination problems, is employed to determine the optimal OCR settings. The application and details of the water cycle algorithm for OCR coordination problem resolution are elaborated in [44]. The selected group settings for OCRs are then chosen and implemented via communication links.…”

“…Additionally, the constant p is set to 2 to satisfy the extremely inverse curve of the IEC standard, and the function V is dependent on the fault voltage level ($${V}_f$$) magnitude in per‐unit and r as constant value, as described in Equation (). The optimal value of TMS and r is selected by using optimization solver [44, 45], which ensure that identical settings are established for both modes of operation (islanding and grid‐connected). $$$$\begin{equation}V\ = {\left( {\frac{{{V}_f}}{2}\left( {1 - \frac{{{V}_f}}{2}} \right)} \right)}^r\ \end{equation}$$$$…”

The recent development of protection coordination schemes based on inverse of AC microgrid: A review

“…It is also important to note that [61] did not give any novel methods to calculate the constant parameter (k), therefore this issue still requires additional investigation. Furthermore, the voltage effect on the protection scheme as proposed in [61,62] is depicted in Figure 8.…”

“…It is also important to note that [61] did not give any novel methods to calculate the constant parameter ( k ), therefore this issue still requires additional investigation. Furthermore, the voltage effect on the protection scheme as proposed in [61, 62] is depicted in Figure 8. $$$$\begin{equation}t\ = \left[ {\frac{A}{{{{\left( {{M}_{\mathrm{I}}} \right)}}^B - 1}}} \right]\ {\left( {\frac{1}{{{e}^{1 - {V}_{\mathrm{f}}}}}} \right)}^k{\mathrm{TMS}}\end{equation}$$$$Where $${M}_{\mathrm{I}} = \ \frac{{{I}_{\mathrm{f}}}}{{{I}_{\mathrm{s}}}}$$ the ratio of fault and pickup currents, A and B are a decision variable for the log curve.…”

Adaptive Central Control Scheme and Investigation of Fault Current Contribution for Protection of Microgrid

“…Shahzad.U,et al, [5] discussed on various types of protection issues and also solutions to some of them in the paper. Alasali et al, [6] which focussed on an optimal coordination scheme to minimize the total tripping time. Bhaskar Patnaik et al, [7] addressed the AC microgrid protection issues, which focussed on the direction of providing a smooth relaying system under different operating conditions.…”