PhD Proposal

The Title: fault detection and location in solar PV systems

Abstract:

The proposal is an approach to detect PV plant faults through the

generation of fault indicator signals called ‘residuals’ for each string and the
comparison of residuals with a threshold value. Also, a regression is
proposed to estimation fault location as a function of fault current and
irradiance level measurements. The proposed approach is confirmed by
specifically focusing on intra-string line-line faults. Various line-line fault
case studies are verified through simulations and validated on an
experimental setup in a solar PV plant. Initially the approach is developed
for a fixed size PV array, but subsequently extensions of the proposed
approach to any array size are developed and presented. The generalization
potential of the approach is demonstrated through successful validation on
multiple PV array configurations.

Introduction:

In large-scale PV plants, monitoring systems are mostly built into the

inverters to prevent anomalies on the utility side and to report the PV
system status. However, it is extremely difficult to detect any malfunction
in any string/module with only inverter level monitoring. In
most of the cases, classical over current protection devices that are
connected at inverter level are unable to detect faults on the DC side due
to reductions in the current levels seen by the over current devices [6].
Even though the fault is detected at inverter level, it can be extremely
difficult to identify and locate the fault within a string. Among various
problems in PV, mainly on the DC side of an array, a line-line fault is one
such problem that can cause PV failure and lower system performance [7].
Commonly, line-line faults result from accidental short circuiting between
two points in the array with different potentials, mainly due to water
ingress, animal chewing, mechanical damage, or DC junction box corrosion
[8].
Based on the fault existing in a single string or across two strings, line-line
faults are categorized as intra-string or cross-string faults[9]. However, this
paper focuses on the intra-string line-line faults which are mostly
undetected by conventional protection devices in large-scale PV systems
when the fault occurs between the points with close electric potential i.e.
low mismatch fault [10]. If undetected for a prolonged time these faults can
propagate and damage the PV system components. Fault detection in a PV
system is therefore crucial for maintaining the normal operation by
providing early fault alarms through appropriate monitoring.
Literature Review;

 Kaplani (2012), to detect the effect of degradation on the field aged

crystalline silicon PV modules from 18 to 22 years used the thermal
imaging technique.IR/thermal imaging popular method for PV fault
diagnosis. This method is based on the concept of localized heat
generation because of joule heating effect due to shunted cells, poor
contacts, short circuits, etc. In a series connected PV cells, some cells
which are generating less current as compared to others cells
become reverse biased and act like resistor and dissipate heat. As a
result, temperature gradient is formed which appear as bright spot
during thermal imaging.[1]
 Haney and Burstein (2013) visual inspection is the first step in
deciding whether further tests should conducted on the PV module.
This inspection is carried out under the 1000 lux light source as per
the IEC61215 (International Electro technical Commissioning order to
avoid the defective images, reflections should be avoided. To avoid
error due to reflected images and also to differentiate the layer
where the defect could appear, the inspection should be done from
different angles.[2]
 Hund and King method is based on the analysis of the ultrasonic
vibrations that follow an excitation. It is used to detect cracks and
micro-cracks in cells of PV module. This method is further classified
as (i) pulse-echo method and (ii) transmission method. Authors have
presented a comprehensive failure analysis of PV modules after
extended field exposure at various sites. The results have helped to
identify the cause of different module degradation mechanisms.[3]
 Kirchartz et al., 2009Electroluminescence imaging (EL imaging) is
obtained from photons emitted by the recombination of excited
carriers into a solar cell .The excitation can be achieved by means of
an injected current, which provokes an EL effect. The excitation can
also obtained by means of a radiation incident over the solar cell, in
which case the light obtained is due to a photoluminescence.[4]
 (Balaguer-Alvarez and Ortiz-Rivera, 2010).Central (remote)
techniques System state monitoring. This method is used for
determining system states from the power system network model
with a reduced number of state measurements. Generally, this
method is considered as a function of the distribution management
system (DMS), which is a complementary of supervisory control and
 data acquisition (SCADA) systems. By measuring the parameter of the
distribution system such as voltage and frequency.[5]
Aim of the work:

Proposal aim to detect PV plant faults through the generation of fault

indicator signals called ‘residuals ‘for each string and the comparison of
residuals with a threshold value. Furthermore, a regression-based approach
is proposed to estimate fault location as a function of fault current and
irradiance level measurements. The proposed approach is demonstrated by
specifically focusing on intra-string line-line faults. Various line-line fault
case studies are verified through simulations and validated on an
experimental setup in a solar PV plant. Initially the approach is developed
for a fixed size PV array, but subsequently extensions of the proposed
approach to any array size are developed and presented.

Research problem:
A large-scale PV system comprises of a very large number (hundreds of
thousands) of solar modules variously interconnected to each other. The
failure of one of them can eventually affect the performance of the whole
system. The growth in the capacities of large-scale PV plants entails ways to
actively monitor and detect any incipient faults so that appropriate
remedial actions can be taken before any major disruptions take place
Methodology:

1. Fault detection:

The objective of the fault detection is to identify an anomaly in the PV

array’s operation. The approach taken to detect the occurrence of a fault
is based on the generation of fault indicator signals called residuals. The
residual generation is governed by the string current measurements and
pre-determined threshold values. In order to formulate the proposed
residual-based fault detection approach Calculate the array current(Ia)., let
us denote the string current measurement of the Ii string as Ii and the
array current as Ia. Therefore, Ia can be written as:

Ia = 𝐼𝑖
𝑖=0

𝐼𝑎
Step 1: Calculate the mean of string current :𝐼¯a =
𝑛

Where I¯a is the mean of all string currents and n is the number of
parallel strings

Measurement Calculate the Calculate

Begi
mean the residual
n string
𝑛
curren Ia = 𝐼𝑖
𝑖=0
t
Ii tss≥trt

Fault in the system=alarm

Fault location
L=f(Solar irradiation, current
of string)
 2. Fault location:

If ri>εTh, i∈ [1, n], then our next objective is to estimate the likely
location of the occurrence of the fault within the ith string. It is expected
that the location of a fault along with irradiance, the number of modules in
a string, the number of strings in an array and temperatures collectively
govern the level of fault current (Ii) through the faulty string. Consequently,
it is safe to say that an expression to estimate fault location within a string
can be expressed in the functional form as follows:
L=f(Solar irradiation, current of string)

3. Measuring and analyzing :

By using a simulation model developed in MATLAB/Simulink. the
expected result .

Time Table:

1. First year:
Literature review of the topic related to the research and preparation
the materials and equipment’s and studying some of the properties
the material underuse.
2. Second year:
Continuing the experimental part of my research focusing on
publishing thesis related to the topic.
3. Third year:
Studying the Results and analysis then Writing the thesis.
References:

1. Kaplani, E., 2012. Detection of degradation effects in field-aged c-Si solar

cells through IR thermograph and digital image processing. International
Journal of Photo energy, Vol. 2012, Article ID 396792, pp.1-11

2. Josh Haney Adam Burstein, Next Phase Solar. Inc.PV System Operations
and Maintenance Fundamentals,pp.22-42.

3. DL King, TD Hund, WE Boyson… - Conference Record of …, 2002 -

ieeexplore.ieee.org

4. T Kirchartz, K Taretto, U Rau - The Journal of Physical Chemistry …, 2009 -

ACS Publications

5. (Balaguer-Alvarez and Ortiz-Rivera, 2010, IEEE Latin Americ Transaction

s ( Volume:8 , Issue: 5 , Sept. 2010 ).pp 565 – 570.

6. Vergura, S., Acciani, G., Amoruso, V., Patrono, G.E., Vacca, F., 2009.
Descriptive and inferential statistics for supervising and monitoring the
operation of PV plants. IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron. 56 (11), 4456–4464.

7. Alam, M.K., Khan, F., Johnson, J., Flicker, J., 2015. A comprehensive
review of catastrophic faults in PV arrays: types, detection, and mitigation
techniques. Photovoltaic’s, IEEE J. 5, 982–997.

8. Zhao, Y., 2011. Line-line fault analysis and protection in PV arrays.

Technical Report, Photovoltaic Protection, Note 2, Mersen, Newburyport,
MA, USA, Issue 1.
9. Alam, M.K., Khan, F., Johnson, J., Flicker, J., 2015. A comprehensive
review of catastrophic faults in PV arrays: types, detection, and mitigation
techniques. Photovoltaic, IEEE J. 5, 982–997.

10. Zhao, Y., Palma, J., Mosesian, J., Lyons, R., Lehman, B., 2013. Line-line
fault analysis and protection challenges in solar photovoltaic arrays. IEEE
Trans. Ind. Electron. 60,3784–3795.