A Comprehensive Method for Fault Detection in AC/DC Hybrid Microgrid

Abstract

The present paper proposes a comprehensive protection plan for hybrid microgrids. In response to the structural uncertainty of microgrids, the system relies on adaptive protection using the modules installed on the two ends of network lines. Both AC and DC modules analyze network voltage and current signals permanently. AC modules detect network faults based on the energy and the standard deviation of voltage and current signals. Similarly, DC modules use the current differential and the amplitude of voltage and current signals to do the same. When a fault is detected in the AC or DC microgrid, the proposed algorithms activate to pinpoint the fault and determine its type in the faulty microgrid. The adaptive protection approach implemented in the proposed plan makes it independent from the variable structure of the hybrid microgrid. The proposed plan was implemented on a test hybrid microgrid using DIgSILENT Power Factory software for evaluation with various types of faults. The results indicate that, contrary to previous studies, the protection systems in the proposed plan are robust to faults in the neighboring microgrid. This scheme also has the ability to distinguish transient states from permanent network faults well.

Keywords:

• power distribution protection
• microgrid
• fault location
• fault detection

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Reza Eslami

Reza Eslami received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Amirkabir University of technology in 2010, 2012 and 2017 respectively. He is currently an Assistant Professor of faculty of Electrical Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Iran. His research is focused on smart grids and the operation and protection of power systems.

Seyed Amir Hosseini

Seyed Amir Hosseini received his Ph.D. degree from Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, in 2017 in electrical engineering. He was a Research Assistant for Niroo Research Institute (NRI), from 2014 to 2015. He is currently an Assistant Professor of electrical engineering with Golpayegan College of Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Golpayegan, Iran. Dr. Hosseini is currently the Associate-Editor of the AUT Journal of Electrical Engineering. His research interests include power system protection, power system analysis, and smart grids.