Protection challenges in future converter dominated power systems: demonstration through simulation and hardware tests

Ruiqi, LI; Booth, Campbell; Roscoe, Andrew; Urdal, Helge; Zhu, Jiebei

doi:10.1049/cp.2015.0392

Cited by 7 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 7 publications

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“…Note that this change not only results in reduced inertia in the grid but also the decrease in short circuit level, causing reduced system strength (i.e., weak grids). Consequently, several challenges may appear in future power systems, such as the difficulty of achieving frequency stability [23]- [25], voltage instability, and maloperation of the protection system [26], [27].…”

Section: Figure 1 the Concept Of Inertia Contribution Of Synchronized...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Issues and Challenges of Grid-Following Converters Interfacing Renewable Energy Sources in Low Inertia Systems: A Review

Aljarrah,

Fawaz,

Salem

et al. 2024

IEEE Access

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The integration of renewable energy sources (RESs) is a key objective for energy sector decision-makers worldwide, aiming to establish renewable-rich future power grids. However, transitioning from conventional systems based on synchronous generators (SGs) or systems with a low RESs share presents challenges, particularly when accompanied by decommissioning large central generation units. This is because the reduction in inertia and system strength, traditionally provided by SGs, can lead to a loss of essential system support functions like voltage and frequency. While current converter technologies attempt to compensate for the grid support provided by SGs by enhancing converter capabilities, they still heavily rely on the presence of SGs to function effectively. These converters, known as grid-following (GFL) converters, depend on the grid to operate in a stable and secure manner. As the penetration of RESs increases, the efficacy of GFL converters diminishes, posing stability challenges in low inertia systems and limiting the integration of RESs. Therefore, it is crucial to reassess the existing GFL converter technologies, control mechanisms, and grid codes to understand their status and future requirements. This will shed light on the advancements and limitations of GFL converters, enabling greater RESs integration and grid support independent of SGs. This paper aims to provide an up-to-date reference for researchers and system operators, addressing the issues and challenges related to GFL converter technologies, control systems, and applications in low inertia systems. It serves as a valuable resource for facilitating the transition towards future systems with 100% RESs penetration scenarios.INDEX TERMS Grid following converters; low inertia systems; renewable energy sources; weak grids.

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Section: Figure 1 the Concept Of Inertia Contribution Of Synchronized...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Issues and Challenges of Grid-Following Converters Interfacing Renewable Energy Sources in Low Inertia Systems: A Review

Aljarrah,

Fawaz,

Salem

et al. 2024

IEEE Access

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Design and Development of Superimposed Directional Comparison Protection Scheme

Guo

Crossley

2022

J. Electr. Eng. Technol.

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To achieve the UK Net Zero future by 2050, National Grid needs to integrate significantly more renewable generation into the power grid. This increases the level of harmonics, reduces system inertia and adversely affects the fault level and the performance of existing protection relays. One solution to the protection problem is the use of new types of protection that use the change in the voltage and current caused by the fault, often referred to as a superimposed or incremental based protection technique. This paper describes how a superimposed directional comparison protection scheme performed when applied to a reduced section of the full UK National Grid network and relates this to the operating performance of traditional protection. Tests are performed using the simulators DIgSILENT and RelaySimTest configured with different source levels, fault types, fault locations and fault resistances. Results show the superimposed based protection scheme achieves faster fault detection and tripping than conventional protection and is capable of detecting higher resistive faults on networks where the source capacities vary from strong to weak.

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A systematic evaluation of network protection responses in future converter-dominated power systems

Li¹,

Booth²,

Roscoe³

et al. 2016

13th International Conference on Development in Power System Protection 2016 (DPSP)

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This paper illustrates how converter interfaces, used to connect renewable energy sources, HVDC links and infeeds to the power system, may bring significant changes to the behaviour of protection systems in the future. A converter model, capable of providing adjustable fault responses, is used to investigate the response of power system protection to a range of fault conditions. Different scenarios have been simulated by applying different types of faults at different location of the transmission system with a variety of different converter response types. A dynamic, verified, relay model and a hardware relay device have been injected with the simulated results to ascertain network protection performance.A summary of results are presented and it is shown that, when the system is dominated by converter-interfaced sources (especially where the sources are modeled as being unable to provide "fast" and "high" fault currents), the responses of traditional protection systems could be delayed, lose discrimination, e.g. by tripping with a zone 2 delay for a zone 1 fault, or may be completely unable to detect faults at certain locations within the system. The outcomes of the paper and further work should act as a guide for on-going investigations and assist in informing the specification of national grid codes and related work.

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Protection challenges in future converter dominated power systems: demonstration through simulation and hardware tests

Cited by 7 publications

References 7 publications

Issues and Challenges of Grid-Following Converters Interfacing Renewable Energy Sources in Low Inertia Systems: A Review

Issues and Challenges of Grid-Following Converters Interfacing Renewable Energy Sources in Low Inertia Systems: A Review

Design and Development of Superimposed Directional Comparison Protection Scheme

A systematic evaluation of network protection responses in future converter-dominated power systems

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