Electric Power Systems Research

A Comprehensive review on DC Microgrid Protection schemes.

--Manuscript Draft--

Manuscript Number: EPSR-D-21-03231

Article Type: Review Article

Keywords: DC microgrid, Protection schemes, Challenges with protection schemes, Protection

devices, Research gaps

Abstract: The attractiveness towards the DC Microgrid is mounting rapidly due to self-sustained
arrangement that consist of distributed energy resources (DERs) which can also work
in an islanded mode at the time of grid failures. DC Microgrid provides significant
benefits, such as cost-effectiveness, reliability, safety, simplicity, better energy
efficiency etc but at the protection aspect, DC Microgrid has to face some severe
issues. Hence this paper tries to focus on the challenges related to the protection
schemes for DC Microgrid along with the loopholes of present schemes. The paper
mainly focused on the traditional protection schemes and Special Techniques based
Protection Schemes of dc Microgrid. Thus, the current study first reviews different DC
Microgrid protection scheme  and  challenges and then overviews various technical
and common issues  presented in literature, all carried out in a comprehensive
manner. Finally, this paper offers a scenario of the current state of DC Microgrid
protection, and discovers research gaps along with the suggestions for future research
directions.

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Title: A Comprehensive review on DC Microgrid Protection schemes.

Authors: 1Sanghita Baidya and 2Champa Nandi

Affiliations: 1,2Tripura University

Abstract:

The attractiveness towards the DC Microgrid is mounting rapidly due to self-sustained

arrangement that consist of distributed energy resources (DERs) which can also work in an

islanded mode at the time of grid failures. DC Microgrid provides significant benefits, such as

cost-effectiveness, reliability, safety, simplicity, better energy efficiency etc but at the protection

aspect, DC Microgrid has to face some severe issues. Hence this paper tries to focus on the

challenges related to the protection schemes for DC Microgrid along with the loopholes of

present schemes. The paper mainly focused on the traditional protection schemes and Special

Techniques based Protection Schemes of dc Microgrid. Thus, the current study first reviews

different DC Microgrid protection scheme and challenges and then overviews various technical

and common issues presented in literature, all carried out in a comprehensive manner. Finally,

this paper offers a scenario of the current state of DC Microgrid protection, and discovers

research gaps along with the suggestions for future research directions.

Key words: DC microgrid, Protection schemes, Challenges with protection schemes,

Protection devices, Research gaps.

1. Introduction:

DC microgrids have high efficiency, better reliability and compatibility and simple controlling

strategy [1, 2]. The use of DC microgrid for direct feeding of DC loads eliminates the utilization

of inverters in power grids that prevent approximately 7%-15% of power loss of intact system
[1]. Dc microgrids are robust, resilient and having very simple control design with higher

efficiency. Thus the applicable area of dc framework is extended on shipboard power system and

aircraft technology [2]. It is providing a suitable, efficient and affordable platform for faster

growth of power generation using renewable energy sources, storing of energy and use of

electronic loads [3]. The DC microgrid structure also provides a reduced per capita cost in

energy market compared with AC counterparts when renewable energy generation and energy

storage system both are present [4]. The implementation of DC microgrid in the power system is

beneficial as it can provide better power density and efficient power flow between renewable

energy sources comparing to the conventional AC power grids. In addition use of DC microgrids

can make progressive development into the system efficiency and it can shrink the cost of

electrical communications network compared to the AC microgrid. It is seen from the studies

that DC microgrids can provide better out comes than AC microgrids [4]. The power loss is also

decreased while using DC system and this system allows approximately 1.414 times more flow

of power compared to the AC system, as AC system suffers from reactive power drop and skin

effect issues [5].

Implementation of DC microgrid in the power system increases the use of electronic loads,

electrical vehicles and energy storage system for modernization of energy market [6]. Thus for

ensuring a secure and reliable power supply DC microgrid protection is very essential. On the

other hand the converters, made by power electronic devices also having capacitive filters, are

caused for tremendous increase of transient current. This current of high value probably

sufficient enough to damage the converters and also it may have faulty situation in the micro grid

system. Hence a standard DC microgrid protection scheme which will take the lowest time to

operate is important to design [7]. The main challenging part is to maintain the stability of the
system during faulty circumstance and integration of the DC microgrid with conventional grids

(i.e. AC distribution system). Hence, developing a protection scheme for DC microgrid is a key

area for research [1].

Though the use of DC micro grids for reliable power supply is in trend, several issues are

accumulated with the technology. As there is no zero crossing waveform in the dc current, DC

microgrids always faces a risk of arc faults. The regular used circuit breakers are unable to

overcome the arc faults. The DC microgrids also faced other protection issues like quick rising of

fault current, lack of standards, practical experiences, information and guidelines [8]. Besides,

the amplitude of fault current and its direction at the faulty condition varies due to presence of

distributed generators. A high-speed differential protection scheme is obtained to deal with the

situation in DC microgrids. However, when the magnitude of short circuit current is extremely

transient and the synchronization error lasts for few microseconds only, the mention protection

scheme faced problems regarding stability issues and mal-functioning of the relays are observed

[3].

The distributed energy generation develops its interest with the integration of large solar

photovoltaic (PV) plants to the conventional utility grids that enhance the DC power generation

infrastructures such as DC micro-grids. The DC microgrids can restrict the power losses. It also

beneficial because of low operation and maintenance cost of microgrids. Besides, DC microgrids

are suitable for direct supply on DC loads that eradicate the requirement of more power

electronic inverters [9]. Microgrids are acting as an eventual framework that interconnects RESs,

loads and energy storage structures. Microgrids can perform as local distribution system as they

have distributed generators. Moreover they can improve the efficiency, reliability and quality of

power in both islanded and grid connected mode separately. But the implementation of the
system to the existing power network faces several challenges including severe protection issues

[10].

Though the implementation of DC micro grid can provide several significant advantages, the

main obstacle is lack of in depth analysis of the issues and certain challenges related to the

protection schemes [11]. Thus a dynamic protection model is needed to be design that can offer

better security, sufficient redundancy, selectivity and sensitivity. But to design this type of

protection model, some important factors need to consider, such as: 1. Arc fault analysis, 2.

Proper grounding system, 3. Better sensitivity of converters especially during faulty situations, 4.

Changing of fault current (short-circuit current) while the microgrid is operating on different

modes, 5. Lack of standardization, and 6. Quick increase of current peak during transient fault

condition [12].

1.1 Review of Previous works:

Chunpeng Li et. al. in [3] proposed a novel solution to deal with the protection instability issues

due to the error in time synchronization with differential relays (high speed) in dc microgrid. The

faults current of dc short-circuit are extremely transient. Thus a delay of few microseconds due

to synchronization error may introduce instability in the protection model. A multi-sample

differential (MSD) protection scheme is used here to deal with the external faults and internal

faults. Badrinarayan Sahu et al. [9] present a new scheme for real time monitoring of micro-grid

phasors by implementing firefly algorithm which uses time-frequency responses (TFR) helps in

power management and coordination of the micro-grid. For achieving least time in micro-grid

monitoring this new approach is very suitable as it uses selective frequency scaling. It reduces

the tracking time of different harmonic disturbances that appeared in DG (distributed generator)
integrated operations. Vaibhav Nougain et al. [13] proposed a centralized protection for micro

grids based on percentage differential current approach. A local Running Autoregressive

Smoothing Average (RASA) algorithm is used as backup protection. The approach of percentage

differential current based technique reduces the need of any RSG (restrictive signal generator)

unit. The proposed scheme is useful for avoiding any mal-operation in the system in case of CT

saturation. This proposed work provides a feasible protection of a MVDC radial microgrid and

uses an amalgamation of the two types of intelligent electronics (IEDs) devices in a topology of

sub-microgrid (SMGs) in the radial microgrid. The scheme represents reliable, secure and

selective approach that can effectively reinstate the microgrid function ensuring its normal action

within 100ms. Snehamoy Dhar et al. [14] present a new fault detection scheme for DC micro

grid depending on differential current-based approach. It can calculate the fault distance

accurately with very fast response. The scheme also able to measure the distance using non-

iterative calculation that provides fast computation. Additionally, this proposed scheme of fault

detection is effectively designed for detecting arc faults (like as series, ground arc fault) in PV

system. Patrick T. Manditereza et al. [15] proposes a microgrid protection approach based on the

application of voltage relay. Analysis of sensitivity and active power differential calculations

depending on the data collected from measuring voltage in a specific protection zone of the

micro-grid system is utilized here for making relay algorithm to build the protection scheme. The

performance of this protection relay is explored under different fault conditions. The relay is

operated efficiently and accurately while detecting and identifying various faults in both meshed

and radial topology in the microgrid system. Swetalina Sarangi et al. [16] make a detail review of

conventional and existing protection schemes of solar PV system. The review also includes

different grid-connected algorithms of the PV system in various operational modes. The major
loop holes and limitations along with the future possibilities of solar grid protection system are

listed here. It also provides an idea for making an efficient, reliable and secure hybrid grid in

future courses of action. O.A. Gashtero odkhani et al. [17] designed smart scheme to detect and

classify fault for a microgrid (MG) system that have numerous distributed generations (DGs).

The scheme is based on the sensitivity analysis of the differential power. The performance of this

scheme is compared to the different data-mining models, conventional relays used in other

microgrid protection purpose and radial-loop topology. The robustness, quick response and

accuracy of this protection scheme confirmed by 25kV IEC standard MG. Siavash Beheshtaein

et al. [18] investigated the issues related to DC microgrid protection from different features, such

as various protective devices, characteristics of dc fault current, fault location methods ground

systems and different fault detection methods. Future trends for making protection schemes of

DC microgrids are discussed briefly at the last. Kuang-Hsiung Tan et al. [19] proposed a master-

slave control scheme for microgrid protection with virtual inertia. The scheme is useful for

overcoming the downsides of conventional inverter-based distributed generator systems that

have lack of inertia. The traditional controllers (such as Proportional-integral controller) is

replaced by recurrent probabilistic wavelet fuzzy neural network (RPWFNN) for improving the

controlling capacity of reactive power in both transient response mode and grid connected mode

of micro-grids at the time of switching either islanding or grid-connected condition or between

both of them. The RPWFNN based control strategy is also improving the steady-state and

transient responses of controlling voltage in the microgrids. Morteza Shamsoddini et. al. [20]

designed a protection scheme for Low Voltage DC microgrids that uses only simplified equation

of fault current to make estimation of equivalent inductance. By implementing artificial line

inductance (ALI) at the both ends of each line, the end equivalent inductance estimation is
improved. The main advantage of this approach is that the performance of the protection scheme

is not hindered with the changing topology of microgrids. This protection model is able to detect

any type of faulty situation in less than 0.2 ms while the sampling frequency is 8000 Hz. This

scheme also provides back-up protection. Tarik Hubana et.al [21] designed a station protection

algorithm with the help of artificial neural network and discrete wavelets transform method. The

protection scheme is designed in MATLAB Simulink and real data are used to demonstrate its

operation. This scheme also includes isolation of defected feeder after proper detection,

identification and classification of fault location.

1.2 Contribution: The main purpose of the paper is to make an analysis of the recent research

developments to aware and assist the researchers about the problems related to the protection

schemes of DC microgrid and to make better protection designs that can overcome those issues.

At present a lot of studies and reviews are completed that are focused on different sections of the

microgrids, such as energy management, structural analysis, topologies, and control methods.

But the protection scheme designing does not draw adequate attention. This paper tries to find

out those specific issues, which are linked with interconnection of DC microgrid among the

different systems and devices. This work also focuses to exhume the protection challenges of DC

microgrid, improve the protection algorithm, and shows a translucent way to move forward.

Thus, this paper makes a comprehensive review of all the DC microgrid protection techniques

related research works completed in recent years. This review discovers that the major features

that need to take care of during designing a protection scheme are sensitivity, speed, reliability,

selectivity and dependability. Before implementing any protection strategy, it is crucial to verify

the performance of that strategy. The advantages and limitations of existing protection schemes

are highlighted in this paper to foresight the future scope for designing the smart and advanced
protection schemes for DC microgrid systems. This content of the paper will significantly help

the researchers to improve the inadequacy and exhume new methods to enhance the DC

microgrid protection scheme with advance technology in the future.

1.3 Structure of the Paper:

The paper is arranged as follows. Section 2 presents the methodology of the review presented in

this paper. In Section 3, the DC microgrid architecture is presented. The section 4 discussed

about the available microgrid protection schemes. Challenges regarding the existing DC

microgrid protection schemes are discussed in Section 5. Section 6 deals with the protection

devices in DC microgrids. The research gaps and future research directions are represented on

section 7 and 8 respectively. Finally, Section 9 draws the conclusions part.

2. Methodology of review:

Microgrids are acting as an eventual framework that interconnects RESs, loads and energy

storage structures. Microgrids can perform as local distribution system as they have distributed

generators. Moreover they can improve the efficiency, reliability and quality of power in both

islanded and grid connected mode separately [22]. To explore the benefits and analyze the

sequential improvement of DC microgrid protection schemes, a deep analysis is prepared here

with last few years of research works. To reveal the challenges and explore future possibilities,

this paper considered some approaches, such as:

(i) Chronological development of DC microgrid, (ii) Existing problems, their possible solutions

and types of issues (i.e. common and specific), (iii) Issues with conventional protection schemes,

(iv) Modern protection approaches, and (v) Future research directions.

The paper mainly focused on the issues related to the dc microgrid protection schemes that are

already exist. It tries to find out possible solutions for those issues with advanced protection

schemes. On the other hand this paper also tries to provide future work directions that can

enhance the advance protection schemes of dc microgrids. Hence maximum research works

related to this domain are tried to cover in this paper and reviewed thoroughly.

The selection of the papers are based on the define area, i.e. DC-microgrid protection schemes.

Different types of research articles are available in the internet about this region. Here we

selected some significant research papers from the sources of IEEE Xplore, ELSEVIRE, MDPI,

etc. Initially a good number of papers are selected. The criteria analysis was performed on those

papers. After a deep analysis 45 papers are selected for executing the paper work. Around 7

papers are added according to the need related to the research work in this paper. Hence total 52

research papers are selected to complete the review on this paper. The figure-1 shows the

methodology part in the form of flowchart.

 Figure-1 Methodology of Review work

3. Architecture of DC microgrid:

A sufficient knowledge about the DC microgrid architecture is very important to deal with the

predicted and certain challenges associated with the grid. The DC microgrid can operate in grid

connected mode and islanded mode according to the need. The main challenging part of

protection scheme is the interconnected of dc microgrid with the ac grid, as several topologies

are there for interconnection [11].

Thus a detailed overview of DC microgrid skeleton is required for better understanding. The dc

microgrids have to deal with sudden load change, change of operational mode, multiple

generating units etc. Hence different types of topologies are implemented in it, such as single

buses system (suitable for voltage regulation), and multiple buses system (for reliable power
sharing). Different types of reconfigurations are also present here to interface the dc microgrids

with ac microgrids and utility system [16]. The architecture of DC microgrid is shown in the

figure-2.

Figure-2 Physical Architecture of DC-Microgrid [50].

4. Available DC microgrid protection schemes:

The section of this paper mainly highlighted the issues and challenges of the existing protection

schemes for dc microgrids. A good number of research papers are reviewed and presented in this

section to find out the present scenario of the traditional protection schemes as well as the

advance protection schemes. Some of the concerning features for making a better protection

strategy are selectivity, reliability, speed and sensitivity of the system [16]. In this section the

reviewed protection methods, their advantages and limitations are presented in tabular form.
4.1 Traditional protection schemes:

In this section traditional dc microgrid protection schemes are reviewed and the findings are

presented in Table-1. All the methods used to make protection schemes are mentioned here with

their advantages and limitations.

Table-1.

Ref. Developed schemes Strengths limitations

no.

3 A multi-sample differential • To deal with the issues related • The MSD protection

protection (MSD) method. to instability due to the time strategy may be used to

synchronization error in a high- ensure that the operation of

speed differential relay based relays do not confused for a

protection model for DC sudden change in motor

distribution system in DC power.

microgrids.

• It can deal with both external

and internal faults.

9 Real time monitoring of • Less tracking time of different • Only frequency

micro-grid based on firefly harmonic disturbances. components are consider

algorithm. • Least microgrid monitoring

time.
13 Microgrid protection scheme • Very fast response. •It is a centralized

based on percentage Reduces the need of RSG unit. protection scheme. Thus

differential current approach. • Avoided mal functioning in any problem on central zone

the system when CT is can cause to collapse the

saturated. whole system.

• Different types of power

electronic devices are used,

which may increase power

loss during power

conversion.

• Only nodal voltage and

segment current magnitude

is used for centralized

communication.

14 Fault detection scheme based • Higher accuracy on • Worst case is seen during

on differential current. calculation of fault distance. DC arc fault condition when

• Very fast response. proper grounding is absent.

• Distance of fault is calculated

using non-iterative method.

15 Voltage relay based Micro • Accurate and efficient • Voltage of the system is

grid protection scheme. detection and identification of only used for measurement

faults. of the relay.

• It is suitable for both meshed • For each node one relay is

 and radial topology based micro required.

grids.

17 Differential power based • Robustness, quick response • Misdetection of fault

sensitivity analysis for fault and accuracy are the main which causes false alarm at

detection and classification benefits of the scheme. no fault condition in the

of faults in DC micro grid. islanded mode of microgrid.

• Machine learning can be

implemented for making a

better protection scheme.

19 Micro grid protection • Improve the drawbacks of • Main focus is given only

scheme based on Master lack of inertia in conventional voltage control and reactive

slave control with virtual inverter based distributed power control.

inertia. generator systems.

• Improving the steady state and

transient responses of controlled

voltage in micro grids.

20 An efficient and advanced • Very less detection time (<0.2 • The system is operated on

protection system is designed ms). fault resistance 0.6 ohm and

based on estimation of • Fast response and better 2 ohm.

equivalent inductance for selectivity. • The response time of the

Low Voltage DC microgrids. • The threshold value is model is less than 0.2 ms in

Independent of any changing both cases. But further

 microgrid topology. modification may require.

• Probability of back-up

protection and communication

less operation.

23 A new protection scheme of •Commanding capability of • Seven inputs are

anti-islanding protection classification for SVMs. monitored by the sensor.

strategy based on support • Independent of power quality • Detection and

vector machines (SVMs) for (PQ). discrimination of different

low-voltage-sourced • Better performance on types of faults in grids are

microgrid. accuracy, authenticity, precision not considered here.

effectiveness, and selectivity.

24 An islanded microgrid •It can operate at high power •To deal with the sudden

protection strategy with penetration of wind/PV with mal-operation of the system

coordination of LFC, OUFR robust frequency stability. the setting of OUFR is need

and VIC based on a new to be readjusted for

swarm intelligence optimal traditional VIC and LFC.

PID controller. Thus modified VIC is

LFC-Load Frequency required.

Control,

VIC-Virtual inertia control,

OUFR- Digital Over/Under

Frequency Relay.
25 A protection scheme for DC • Threshold values of voltage • Classification of faults and

microgrid of low voltage is and current are used to identify the transients is unable to

designed based on adaptive the fault. obtain by this scheme.

droop algorithm. The fault clearing time is 60 μs.

26 Time-Time (TT) transforms •The protection scheme has • The application of this

protection strategy based on high accuracy, better robustness scheme is restricted up to

the value of current of for any to changing faulty only two cycles between the

synchronized measurement conditions, and shows good signals of two ends.

for each line end. performance even in highly The tripping signals are

noisy conditions. sometimes delayed due to

larger time difference.

27 An inverter-dominated •The scheme is suitable for •The performance is better

microgrid protection scheme dealing with the changing up to noise level 30 dB

that designed by making operating modes of microgrid at (SNR).

interconnection between different topologies.

iterative filtering-based •It also provides protection for

empirical mode both arcing and non-arcing

decomposition (IFEMD) and faults.

extreme learning machine. •Higher accuracy (98.667%).

28 A microgrid protection •At lower solar irradiance, the •The trip signal produced by

strategy depending on sine- system can provide good the relay is at 4.511s.

cosine optimization (SCA)- protection and the time required •And with ANN integrated

based MPPT algorithm for for tripping signal is 11ms. protection scheme the time

detection and classification required for trip signal is

of distribution line faults at 16.67ms. Thus the work can

both islanding and grid- be extended to minimize the

connected condition. tripping signal time.

29 Low Voltage (LV) DC •Fault detection time is very •The performance of the

microgrid protection scheme low (less than 250μs. model is obtained with 8

is designed based on the •This protection scheme has kHz sampling

natural characteristics of the quick fault detection ability, Frequency.

fault current. To select the adaptivity, and independent •Only fault current is

threshold value artificial line from different microgrid considered here.

inductance (ALI) technology topology and communication.

is used here. •No extra exclusive apparatus

or high-speed microprocessor is

required. Thus it is also a cost

efficient protection scheme.

4.2 Special Techniques based Protection Schemes:

In table 2 the developed special techniques for microgrid protection are highlighted with their

advantages and limitations.

Table-2.

Reference Developed schemes Strengths limitations

no.

20 Inductance based fault •Only local measuring •Communication system

detection approach. data is used. is not considered.

•Doesn’t affect with the

change of microgrid

topology.

21 ANN based microgrid station •Identification and •False fault tripping time.

protection scheme. detection of fault,

isolation of faulty unit

30 Sensor based energy fault •Sensor data is easily • Can’t used for different

detection. available. PV based faults

•A Virtual sensor is identification.

created to reduce

manual works.

31. Deep belief network (DBN) •Can provide an • Load type is ignored

based on machine learning accurate classification • Three-phase voltage and

approach by learning the current waveform is

microgrid non-linear required.

features.

•Can identify short

 circuit fault from

effected line.

32 Deep recurrent Artificial •Significant prediction •There is no direct method

Neural Network based accuracy and to incorporate future data.

strategy. computation loads • Intermediate layer is

restricted at two numbers.

33 Unsupervised approach based •Anomaly detection of • Fault free environment

PV protection system. PV system, increasing is required for training the

system efficacy and data, about its normal

less maintenance. behavior.

• Experiment with real

faulty condition yet to be

done.

34 A machine learning (ML) •Better accuracy •The scheme has

based intelligent technique for performance (greater considered only low

fault detection (FD) in than 95.7%). impedance faults for

microgrids using the local •Implementation cost detection.

measurements. reduction. •There is no device

coordination process.

The scheme doesn’t deal

with the microgrids

stability issues.
35 A constant power load based •The location of fault is •The margin of error for

localized protection strategy determined accurately. the developed scheme is

for DC microgrids having •The scheme also maximum 3.2% during

radial configuration. provides quick practical situation.

response and robust

behavior.

•The scheme is

impervious

against system

configuration

disturbances

36 DC microgrid protection •The requirement of •At the time of fault

scheme based on bidirectional component is low. interruptions an amount of

Z-source circuit breaker that •The efficiency of fault current is reflected in

has an O-shaped impedance operating power is the feeding source.

network. increased. •The MOV snubber

•The scheme also should operate

offers automatic bidirectional with Z-

interruption of fault, source circuit breakers

less reflection of fault (ZSCB).

 current, common

ground for all loads and

power sources etc.

37 Blockchain based differential •To protect the DC •The time taken to detect

microgrid protection scheme. microgrid from cyber- the cyber-attacks is less

attacks and than 2.5ms, which can be

communication failure. improved.

38 It is a non-unit line protection •The sensitivity and •Only current derivatives

model that includes the reliability is very high are used for determining

voltage traveling waves with good accuracy. the forward faults.

(ILVTWs) of initial line-mode •The threshold value of •The sampling frequency

operation. the protection model is is considered based on

independent of critical frequency.

simulation.

39 A microgrid protection •Synchronisation of •This scheme is mainly

scheme based on the positive data is not necessary at focused on minimizing

sequence currents. the time of exchanging the communication cost

information between during the microgrid

the lines of the relays. protection strategy using

•This scheme provides the differential relay.

immunity to
 harmonics,

communication at

lower bandwidth and

flexibility.

40 Kernel Extreme Learning •Superior security, •Line-Line (LL) faults are

Machine (KELM) based robustness, considered as more

Hilbert–Huang Transform dependability, critical for identification

(HHT) protection scheme for reliability and accuracy at different topologies.

distributed generation (DG) for detection of fault

integrated microgrid system. conditions.

41 Artificial Neural Network The scheme provides The Artificial Neural

based decentralized back-up protection. Network enables each

communication-less DC It has more than 96% classifier to detect faults

microgrid protection scheme accuracy values and with only local voltage

that uses cuckoo search dependability of 99%. and current measurement.

metaheuristic.

5. Challenges of DC microgrid protection:

The protection strategies of DC microgrids are facing several types of challenges due to

insufficient standards. To design a protection scheme for better performance, proper attention is
required on the common and technical challenges related to the existing protection schemes. The

section tries to investigate the main issues with DC microgrid protections. Those issues are

categorized in two section i.e. (i) Technical issues, and (ii) common issues, represented on table-

3.

Table-3.

Technical issues Common issues

 Communication failure [37].  Load types are ignored for better

 Cyber-attacks [37]. accuracy [31].

 Low tolerance of the microgrid converters  False positive rate of detection

during high fault current [37]. [45].

 Blockchain based energy marketing strategy  Difficulties to find out exact fault

of microgrids are hindered because of recent locations [17].

regulations that are not allowing for running  Different types of shading faults

local peer-to-peer energy markets in most of [46].

the countries [42].  Presence of harmonics due to

 Different types of protection configurations power electronic converters

and settings for different microgrid switching [9].

topologies [43].  Inverter noise, very low fault

 Lack of controlling configurations current, zero current crossing etc.

specifically designed for managing grid- [11].

connected condition of DC microgrids [44].

6. Protection devices in DCMG:

To isolate the faulty section from the healthy section in the DC microgrids several protection

devices are used. In figure-3 the protection devices used in DC grids are presented with their

advantages and limitations [11, 16].

Figure-3 Over view of Protection Devices.

7. Research gaps:

It is very necessary for a protection model to react with a very small disturbance on the system.

Any unfix smaller disturbance in the system may cause major faults in future. Thus to design a

reliable and secure protection model this factor should consider. Here some research gaps are

listed out from the literature review of DC microgrid protection.

a. As the DC systems have no zero crossings point the protection schemes should sensitive

enough about this while making connection with traditional AC networks [8].
b. The protection scheme should be designed in such a way that it can accommodate with the

configuration of the microgrid, changing polarity and topology of the DC microgrid [11].

c. The designed protection approach must have the ability to cope with the different natures of

fault current in the microgrid system, such as bidirectional nature and variable short-circuit levels

of current [11].

d. Use of power converters in protection subroutine may beneficial in some situations, as they

can control the severity of fault at a certain range [12].

e. Signal based methods may implement in the protection strategy for efficient detection and

identification of faults [12].

f. The designing of protection system, can include interconnection of DC/DC converters [12].

g. Implementation of the AI-based approaches in the protection scheme required a significant

attention on the data collection process, normalization methods, and processing of data [21].

h. The advance microgrid architectures are needed to deal with the disturbances appeared on the

communication unit as well as multilevel converters [37].

i. The handshaking algorithms are more beneficial for making adjustment of ACCBs (AC circuit

breakers) in DC system [50].

j. To make a smart distance and differential based protection scheme some important factors

should consider, such as calculation of fault resistance, main and back up link synchronization,

proper maintenance of power quality etc [50].

8. Future directions:

Several protection strategies are reviewed in this paper to highlight the present status of DC

microgrid protection schemes. But most of the concepts are not implemented on the practical

basis. Therefore, some important factors are considered here to make robust protection scheme in

future:

 A multi-terminal based DC (MTDC) structure is suggested for increasing the reliability

of the protection system [11].

 A scheduled frame of time for DCCBs (DC circuit breakers) is required to avoid sudden

faults and damage of equipments [11].

 The ability of DCCBs has to increase to handle the high value of fault current along with

the minimum conduction loss during on-state mode. But the size of DCCBs may increase

as well as the cost [11].

 Internet of Things (IoT) concept can be utilized to make designs for microgrid protection

schemes, which may also take care of the safety issues of consumers during fault

situations [12].
  Integration of AC and DC grids for making hybrid decoupling modules needs to provide

enough attention for satisfying necessary conditions related to protection and controlling

of the system. The manual involvement should be less [12].

 To maintain good level of accuracy and selectivity in a protection model, the dependency

on impedance should decrease. The time required for detection of fault should also

reduce by using advance technology [12].

 Flexibility of the protection system should be high enough to deal with the different

system configurations and fault conditions [12].

 The security structure of the protection scheme must be strong enough to prevent cyber-

attacks and communication failure. So that a robust, reliable, fast and advance protection

model can be built [22].

 The use of energy storage system should increase to evaluate novel adaptive protection

model [22].

 The protection schemes have to coordinate with the control strategies of microgrids for

more efficient performance [47].

 As all the components in the microgrid system are connected with each other, any sudden

fault may cause adverse damage of those components all together. Thus a robust fault

identification unit should be present in the microgrid protection scheme [48].

 Implementation of DC circuit breakers and relays with higher accuracy, efficiency and

faster response [49].

.
9. Conclusions:

The paper mainly studied about the present research status of the DC microgrid protection

schemes that are already exist. A proper investigation is carried out on the recent research

articles related to the protection schemes of DC microgrid to identify the limitations of the

existing works, as it confines the promotion and improvement of DC microgrids. From the

review several key lines are come out related to the protection strategies for DC microgrid. It is

shown that to develop a novel protection scheme continuous study is required on this domain,

because the demand of novel protection scheme includes accuracy, sensitivity and faster

response while detecting the faults and isolate the faulty unit from the main system. The

management of upstream and downstream devices with protection units is also a significant

research topic for future. As the DC microgrids have a large amount of electronic devices, the

research on protection area could be extended towards this. This paper includes a comprehensive

review of recent protection schemes (traditional and special) that helps to point out the pros and

cons of the developed protection schemes. The important findings are also presented precisely in

this paper in tabulated form. More effort is still required to overcome the boundaries of existing

protection schemes in all circumstances and scenarios.

Declaration of Competing Interest:

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgements

This study is based on an independent research work from the Tripura University, “Research on

the DC microgrid protection”.

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