EEE812: ADVANCED POWER

SYSTEM PROTECTION
Distributed Generation: Impact on
Protection
Content prepared by Dr Campbell Booth
University of Strathclyde
Overview

 Conventional distribution networks and protection -

summary
 How distribution network are changing (active distribution
networks, DG, potential for islanded operation)
 Potential issues for future networks
– Protection “blinding”, false tripping/coordination problems (several examples)
– DG ride-through

– Converter-interfaced sources
– Use of DC for distribution?

– Fault current limitation

 Protection solutions?
Distributed Generation Basics

 Technologies
 Small and Large scale combined heat and power units
 Energy from waste units
 Wind Farms
 Tidal and wave energy units
 Stand-by generators (diesel)

 Types of generating units

 Self-excited asynchronous generator
 Mains-excited asynchronous generator
 Power factor corrected asynchronous generator
 Doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)
 Synchronous generator
 Inverter connected Synchronous Generator (Wind)
 Inverter connected DC source (fuel cell, PV)
Distributed Generation Basics

 Main reasons for Distributed Generation

 Reduction of gaseous emissions (mainly CO2)

 Diversification of energy sources
 Ease of finding sites for smaller generators
 Short construction times
 Potentially reduced transmission losses
 Increased efficiency with combined Heat and Power
(CHP) units
Conventional distribution networks

 Operated radially
 Designed for unidirectional power flow
 Protected with over-current protection relays, reclosers
and fuses

11 kV

POWER FLOW DIRECTION

How distribution networks are changing

– Increase of distributed generation:

– Wind
– Hydro
– Biomass
– Photovoltaic
– Wave/Tidal
– others

– Connection of energy storage

– Introduction of network automation
Active distribution networks

Fault current magnitudes and directions becomes unpredictable,

potentially causing problems:
– false tripping of feeders;
– lack of coordination between protection devices;
– other problems.

11 kV
Islanding operation

– Reduced fault levels

– Changed fault current direction
– System control?

11 kV
Protection of Distribution Networks
 132/33kV
 Distance, differential (some), overcurrent
 11kV/415V
 Overcurrent, reclosers, sectionalisers, fuses, RCDs
 Remember, majority of faults transient – fuses should only operate if
fault is permanent
 Typically, faults are isolated very quickly by reclosers, multiple
reclose attempts are attempted, and if fault is permanent and
downstream of fuses, fuses ultimately melt while system is in
reclosed state
 Reclose is then successful
 If permanent fault between recloser and fuse, then recloser will lock-
out after pre-defined number of attempts
 Automatic sectionalisers/smart links sometimes used
Protection of Distribution Networks
(HV/MV)
t t
Relay 1 Relay 2
tF2 Fault 2
tF1 Fault 1 tF2 Fault 2
I I

Source

A Fault 1 B Fault 2

Decreasing Fault Current

Protection of distribution networks
(MV/LV)
 Distribution network protection is
CBT1-33 CBT2-33
B33kV based on overcurrent protection,
reclosers and fuses (and
sectionalisers)
CBT1-11 CBT2-11
B11kV
R-A R-B  In rural overhead distribution
Feeder B
Feeder A

SpurA1 networks, >80% of faults are

SpurB1
SpurA2 temporary and auto reclosure
SpurA3 SpurB2 automation is adopted.
SpurA4
PMAR-B
SpurA5
SpurB3
PMAR-A
SpurA1
SpurA6
SpurB4
SpurA7

SpurA8 SpurB5

SpurA9

SpurA10
Protection of distribution networks
(MV/LV)
Gers and Holmes
“Protection of
 Transient fault
Electricity
Distribution
 Recloser will
Networks”,
IEE Power & successfully reclose
Energy Series 47
 Permanent fault
 Recloser will reclose
multiple times (with
variable delays before
re-opening) and fuse will
melt before max
reclosures attempted
 Sectionalisers/“smart
links” may be used
instead of, or to “save”
fuses
Protection of distribution networks
(MV/LV)

Gers and Holmes

“Protection of Electricity
Distribution Networks”,
IEE Power & Energy Series 47
Protection of distribution networks
(MV/LV) PMAR Sectionaliser
IDMT (fast/delayed (counts number of
(with auto-reclose) interruptions overcurrents/interruptions
and reclosures) - opens after certain number)

2
1
0
Fuse
A B C
Permanent Fault

IDMT Start Reset Reset Start Reset Reset Reset

PMAR Open Open Close Open Open Close Close
Sectionaliser Count 1 Count 1 Count 1 Count 2 Count 2 Count 2 Reset
Fuse 1 “shot” 1 “shot” 2 “shots” 2 “shots” 2 “shots” melt melted

Fault inception t
Protection of distribution networks
(MV/LV)
IDMT

PMAR Sectionaliser

Fuse
A B C
Transient Fault

IDMT Start Reset Reset Reset

PMAR Open Open Close Close
Sectionaliser
Fuse

Fault inception t
Protection of distribution networks
(MV/LV)

 Sectionalisers may be used instead of or in

conjunction with fuses (“fuse savers”)

http://www.hubbellpowersystems.com/catalogs/switching/10D-Elec_Sect.pdf
Fault Behaviour – no DG
11kV 30MVA Source (Zsource= j4.03W) j1W impedance to fault (ZAB=j0.2W)

Operate
Operate (quickly) Don’t operate
(after a delay)
Source
(Grid)

A B C

V=IZ
Fault Behaviour – with DG
11kV 30MVA Source (Zsource= j4.03W) j1W impedance to fault (ZAB=j0.2W)

Operate
Operate (quickly) Don’t operate
(after a delay)
Source
(Grid)

DG fault
A contribution B C
14MVA

V
With DG at B

V=IZ No DG
Equivalent circuit – no DG

Grid

j4.03W
If Z from source to fault = j1W
(j0.2W for first feeder + j0.8 W for second
VA = 1263x1=1263V A feeder):

j0.2W Ifault= Igrid = Vph/Z = 6351/5.03 = 1263A

VB = 1263x0.8=1010V B V
With DG at B

V=I/Z No DG
j0.8W
Equivalent circuit – with DG

Grid DG
Z from sources to fault =
j4.23//j8.64 + j0.8 = j3.64W

Ifault = Vph/Z = 6351/3.64 = 1745A

j4.03W j8.64W Igrid = (8.64)/(4.23+8.64) x1745

= 1171A
VA = VB + (1171x0.2) =1630V A
IDG = (4.23)/(4.23+8.64) x1745
j0.2W = 574A

VB = 1745x0.8=1396V B

V
With DG at B
0.8W
V=I/Z No DG
Protection issues - “blinding”
Fault current as measured at
upstream relay with no
downstream DG

If
Protection issues - “blinding”
Fault current as measured at Fault current as measured at
upstream relay with no upstream relay with significant
downstream DG downstream DG

t t

If If
Under very high DG penetrations and very low grid infeed, infeed from
grid could be markedly reduced, therefore increasing risk of feeder
protection “blinding” (slow or non-operation of relay at A for backup
scenario in this case).

Problem? Probably not significant in interconnected system – but in

islanded mode?
Protection issues – generator tripping
on undervoltage
Source
(Grid)
0.6W
Infeed=
4500A Infeed=5000A
(4500+500)A
A B C
V=0

0.8W
Infeed=500A

D
E
G59 – DG interface protection settings
Protection issues – generator tripping
on undervoltage
Source
(Grid)
Z=0.6W
Infeed=
4500A Fault current=5000A
(4500+500)A
A B C
VA=VD=5000x0.6=3000V
V=0 (less than 50% nominal)
VED=500x0.8=400V, therefore
VE=3400V

So if protection at A does not operate

Z=0.8W within 0.4-0.5s, chance of DG at E
tripping, unnecessarily, on
Infeed=500A undervoltage – also slight chance of
D relay at D operating if threshold
E violated
Protection issues – feeder protection
maloperation
Source
(Grid)
Z=0.6W
Infeed=
4500A Fault current=5000A
(4500+500)A
A B C
If protection at D is non-directional
V=0 overcurrent, then if contribution from
DG at E exceeds setting on D,
potential for mal-operation

In this case, if Ithreshold<500A at D,

Z=0.8W potential for D to trip unnecessarily

Infeed=500A

D
E
Protection issues - DG impact on
instantaneous (“high set”) protection
Protection issues - DG impact on
instantaneous (“high set”) protection
Operate? Operate (time delay) Operate (instant)

1 2 3
If
Protection issues - DG impact on
instantaneous (“high set”) protection

1 DG 2 3
If(at 2 and 3)
Protection issues - DG impact on
directional protection
Sensitive and fast acting Looks “up”
directional protection here into line
(Ithreshold=10% of rated – prevents R2
line current) operating
for this fault

Use of directional relays

to provide correct protection
operation on parallel feeders
From NPAG: - chapter 9
Protection issues - DG impact on
directional protection DG on load
side – R’2
(and possibly
R2) might
maloperate?
Protection issues - DG impact on
directional protection

DG on load side – R’1 R’2 (and possibly R1 and R2) might maloperate?
Even under load conditions – back-feed if DG>local load?
 Protection
issues - DG
impact on
directional
protection Fault as shown:
R5’ operates after 1.7
(R6’ after 2.1)
R2 after 0.5
(R3 after 0.9)

Use of overcurrent
relays for protection
of ring mains
From NPAG: -
chapter 9
 Protection
issues - DG
impact on
directional
protection

Additional DG
contribution may
result in
coordination
Use of overcurrent problems?
relays for protection R1’ will operate
of ring mains for this scenario?
From NPAG: -
chapter 9
Impact on section
switches/fuses/…?
IDMT

PMAR Sectionaliser

Fuse
A B C

 Blinding/maloperation/impact on automation/auto-
reclose/sectionaliser logic?
 Possible problems if DG penetration/fault contribution
is high?
 Performance in islanded mode – if permitted?