Design of an adaptive over current protection system for microgrids

Abstract

Microgrids have been popularized in the past decade due to their ability to add distributed generation into the classic distribution systems. Protection problems are among several other problems that need solutions in order to extract the full capability of these novel networks. This research follows the branches of two major solutions, namely Adaptive protection, and Protection Optimization. Adaptive protection implementation with a novel concept of clustering is studied and protection setting optimization is done using a novel hybrid nature-inspired algorithm. Two test system models are used to test the performance of the proposing method as final outcome being the operating time of relays due to different faults. The selected algorithm proven to be effective than most other algorithms and the clustering approach for adaptive protection was able to reduce the number of adaptive groups.