Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays in Microgrids Considering European and North American Curves
Protecting AC microgrids (MGs) is a challenging task due to their dual operating modes—grid-connected and islanded—which cause sudden variations in fault currents. Traditional protection methods may no longer ensure network security. This paper presents a novel approach to protection coordination in...
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2024-11-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/23/5887 |
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| author | León F. Serna-Montoya Sergio D. Saldarriaga-Zuluaga Jesús M. López-Lezama Nicolás Muñoz-Galeano |
| author_facet | León F. Serna-Montoya Sergio D. Saldarriaga-Zuluaga Jesús M. López-Lezama Nicolás Muñoz-Galeano |
| author_sort | León F. Serna-Montoya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Protecting AC microgrids (MGs) is a challenging task due to their dual operating modes—grid-connected and islanded—which cause sudden variations in fault currents. Traditional protection methods may no longer ensure network security. This paper presents a novel approach to protection coordination in AC MGs using non-standard features of directional over-current relays (DOCRs). Three key optimization variables are considered: Time Multiplier Setting (TMS), the plug setting multiplier’s (PSM) maximum limit, and the standard characteristic curve (SCC). The proposed model is formulated as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem and solved using four metaheuristic techniques: the genetic algorithm (GA), Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA), Harmonic Search (HS), and Firefly Algorithm (FA). Tests on a benchmark IEC MG with distributed generation and various operating modes demonstrate that this approach reduces coordination times compared to existing methods. This paper’s main contributions are threefold: (1) introducing a methodology for assessing the optimal performance of different standard curves in MG protection; (2) utilizing non-standard characteristics for optimal coordination of DOCRs; and (3) enabling the selection of curves from both North American and European standards. This approach improves trip time performance across multiple operating modes and topologies, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of MG protection systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0249fb34eef0447ea611a63961d38e24 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-0249fb34eef0447ea611a63961d38e242024-12-13T16:25:15ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732024-11-011723588710.3390/en17235887Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays in Microgrids Considering European and North American CurvesLeón F. Serna-Montoya0Sergio D. Saldarriaga-Zuluaga1Jesús M. López-Lezama2Nicolás Muñoz-Galeano3Research Group on Efficient Energy Management (GIMEL), Department of Electrical Engineering, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), Medellín 050010, ColombiaDepartamento de Eléctrica, Facultad de Ingenieria, Institución Universitaria Pascual Bravo, Calle 73 No. 73A-226, Medellín 050036, ColombiaResearch Group on Efficient Energy Management (GIMEL), Department of Electrical Engineering, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), Medellín 050010, ColombiaResearch Group on Efficient Energy Management (GIMEL), Department of Electrical Engineering, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), Medellín 050010, ColombiaProtecting AC microgrids (MGs) is a challenging task due to their dual operating modes—grid-connected and islanded—which cause sudden variations in fault currents. Traditional protection methods may no longer ensure network security. This paper presents a novel approach to protection coordination in AC MGs using non-standard features of directional over-current relays (DOCRs). Three key optimization variables are considered: Time Multiplier Setting (TMS), the plug setting multiplier’s (PSM) maximum limit, and the standard characteristic curve (SCC). The proposed model is formulated as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem and solved using four metaheuristic techniques: the genetic algorithm (GA), Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA), Harmonic Search (HS), and Firefly Algorithm (FA). Tests on a benchmark IEC MG with distributed generation and various operating modes demonstrate that this approach reduces coordination times compared to existing methods. This paper’s main contributions are threefold: (1) introducing a methodology for assessing the optimal performance of different standard curves in MG protection; (2) utilizing non-standard characteristics for optimal coordination of DOCRs; and (3) enabling the selection of curves from both North American and European standards. This approach improves trip time performance across multiple operating modes and topologies, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of MG protection systems.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/23/5887distributed generationmicrogridpower system protectionover-current relay coordinationdirectional over-current relaymetaheuristic techniques |
| spellingShingle | León F. Serna-Montoya Sergio D. Saldarriaga-Zuluaga Jesús M. López-Lezama Nicolás Muñoz-Galeano Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays in Microgrids Considering European and North American Curves Energies distributed generation microgrid power system protection over-current relay coordination directional over-current relay metaheuristic techniques |
| title | Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays in Microgrids Considering European and North American Curves |
| title_full | Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays in Microgrids Considering European and North American Curves |
| title_fullStr | Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays in Microgrids Considering European and North American Curves |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays in Microgrids Considering European and North American Curves |
| title_short | Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays in Microgrids Considering European and North American Curves |
| title_sort | optimal coordination of directional overcurrent relays in microgrids considering european and north american curves |
| topic | distributed generation microgrid power system protection over-current relay coordination directional over-current relay metaheuristic techniques |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/23/5887 |
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