Adaptive protection solutions for future active power distribution networks

Power distribution networks are undergoing a continuous evolution from being passive to active in nature, with increasing penetration of distributed generation and the introduction of active network management schemes to facilitate increased distributed generation connections, automatically manage and reconfigure the network, optimise voltages and power losses and improve power supply reliability. The purpose of the research presented in this dissertation is to investigate the protection challenges that this evolution will introduce to the functions of protecting distribution networks, to develop new solutions and implement and demonstrate them in the laboratory. To analyse the potential problems that may be introduced to traditional protection systems, a detailed analysis of the impact of distributed generation, network automation and islanded operation has been undertaken using a hardware in the loop simulation of a network model representative of typical UK rural distribution networks. This analysis has demonstrated certain protection challenges (and disproved others) associated with overcurrent and loss of mains protection of future active power distribution networks. Two solutions to the demonstrated challenges have been developed: a new adaptive overcurrent protection system with automatic settings calculation, which overcomes the demonstrated sensitivity, selectivity and coordination problems associated with overcurrent protection; and a novel adaptive inter-tripping scheme with back-up passive loss of mains protection, which overcomes the demonstrated sensitivity and stability problems associated with loss of mains protection. The developed protection solutions have been implemented on commercially available hardware and tested using an hardware in the loop simulation environment. The performance of both solutions has been compared to traditional overcurrent and loss of mains protection systems, which are configured in accordance with UK distribution network operator protection policy. The results of this comparison have shown the effectiveness of the developed solutions in overcoming the demonstrated protection problems associated with future active power distribution networks.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral-pg

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Strathclyde

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Coffele, Federico

DOI

10.48730/3htw-9x92

Identifier

T13344

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:strathclyde:m613mx59x