An efficient and fast fault recovery algorithm for a resilient grid under extreme events

ABSTRACT

Fast restoration of power systems is a major concern following a severe outage. Power utilities around the globe aimed at providing reliable and resilient electricity at the consumer end. This paper proposes an efficient and fast fault recovery algorithm for power systems affected by a severe weather condition. The algorithm is developed based on the concept of a proposed recovery index obtained from the resilience curve of the system. The value of the index gives the slope of the resilience curve, which accounts for load restored after the impact of an extreme event. A case study on a typical utility distribution system is conducted to validate the effectiveness of the developed approach. The obtained results are compared with the existing methods reported in the literature. The comparison shows that the performance parameters, viz. computational time and number of switching operations, are least for the proposed algorithm compared to other reported works. The total restoration time for the considered case study has been reduced to 165 h for the proposed optimal fault recovery algorithm from 232 h for the conventional utility approach to completely restore the system back to steady state.

KEYWORDS:

• Distributed generation
• microgrids
• fault recovery
• recovery index
• resilience
• power system restoration

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rohit K. Mathew

Rohit K. Mathew received the B.Tech degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from University of Calicut, Kerala, India and M.Tech degree in Power Systems from Rajasthan Technical University, India in 2009 and 2013 respectively. He is currently pursuing Ph.D. degree in the department of Electrical Engineering at National Institute of Technology Calicut, Kerala, India. His research interests includes microgrids, distribution automation, power grid resilience, smart grids and optimization techniques.

Ashok Sankar

Ashok Sankar received B.Sc(Engg.) degree in Electrical Engineering from Regional Engineering College Calicut, University of Calicut,  M.Tech degree in Power & Energy Systems from IIT Delhi and Ph.D. degree in Energy Systems Engineering from IIT Bombay, India in 1982, 1995 and 2002 respectively. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at National Institute of Technology Calicut. His research interest includes smart grids, power system protection, peak load management, microgrids and power system optimization.

Kumaravel Sundaramoorthy

Kumaravel Sundaramoorthy received the B.E. degree in E.E.E from Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, M.Tech. degree in power systems from the National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli, and Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from National Institute of Technology Calicut. He has completed his Post-Doctoral research at University College Dublin, Ireland. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at National Institute of Technology Calicut. His research interest includes microgrids, application of artificial techniques, power converter applications in power systems.