Protection Strategies for AC and DC Microgrid – A Review of Protection Methods Adopted in Recent Decade

Abstract

In last few decades, microgrid has emerged an interesting and intelligent approach by containing its prospective framework using smart grid protocols. One of the technical issues in implementing microgrid in smart grid environment is to design a distinct protection scheme with the ability to meet the protection requirement in all modes of operation. The motive for this study is to address a technical outlook in protection strategies of microgrid and the challenges to achieve them. Initially, the currently existing protection techniques of AC microgrid followed by DC microgrid are discussed. Since the conventional protection technique cannot be used in DC microgrid directly as there’s no zero crossing in DC systems and bidirectional power flow, it needs more attention in proposing a protection strategy for DC. Therefore, this leads to the innovation of adaptive protection in microgrid where the implementation of communication infrastructure makes the system smart. Thus, this paper focuses on detailed literature on protection scheme for AC and DC microgrid.

KEYWORDS:

• Adaptive protection
• Central protection unit
• Distributed energy resources
• Fault detection
• Multi-microgrid
• Relays

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

S. Faazila Fathima

S Faazila Fathima received a BE degree in electrical and electronics engineering from SRR Engineering College, Chennai, India, 2012 and MTech degree in power system engineering from B S Abdur Rahman University, Chennai, India 2014. Currently pursuing PhD degree in VIT University, Chennai, India. Working as a research associate while pursuing research. Her research interests include microgrid protection,machine learning techniques and optimization algorithm. E-mail: [email protected]

L. Premalatha

L Premalatha received both her BE electrical and electronics and ME power systems from Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai, India 1995 and 1997 respectively. Then she received her PhD degree in electrical engineering from Anna University, Chennai, India in 2009. She received post-doctoral fellowship from University of Malaya, Kualalumpur in 2013 and was associated with University of Malaya during 2013-14. She has more than 23 years of teaching experience at UG and PG level, with more than 15 years of research experience. She has published more than 60 papers in various international journals and conferences. She is a reviewer for various journals and conferences. She has completed few governments funded projects and published one patent recently. Currently, she is working as professor in the School of Electrical Engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai, India. Her research interest includes application of power electronics in power systems, RES integration to grid and power quality issues, application of IoT and MI to power systems.