Analysis of relay protection systems of regional distribution networks with distributed generation sources
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31548/energiya3(79).2025.005Abstract
The article presents a comparative review and analysis of modern methods of functioning of relay protection systems of medium-voltage distribution networks with distributed generation sources (DGR). The analysis touched upon the main technical challenges associated with the active introduction of DGR, primarily renewable sources, into regional networks, which leads to a change in the directions of flows and currents in the network, violation of the conditions for ensuring selectivity, sensitivity and technically perfect coordination between protective devices. Special attention is paid to the features of relay protection of micro-power systems during the transition from network to island mode.
The purpose of the study is to review and analyze modern methods and systems of relay protection of distribution regional networks with DRG, taking into account the features of their operation.
The article studies traditional and innovative (adaptive, combined, based on sequential components, using phasor measuring devices and artificial intelligence) protection methods, their efficiency and ability to operate in characteristic modes. The comparative analysis was carried out taking into account known modern platforms, their advantages, complexity of implementation, requirements for communication channels, settings and tests, possible risks due to the complexity of relay protection systems. The key advantages and limitations of modern approaches to implementing relay protection, as well as current trends in the development of protection systems for active networks with a high share of DRG, are identified.
It is shown that to ensure the reliability and safety of power supply in modern conditions, it is necessary to implement adaptive, intelligent and hybrid protection systems with the possibility of operating regional microgrids in island mode.
As a rule, in distribution regional networks, protection systems based on current measurement are used, less often - based on voltage measurement or combined protection systems (based on current and voltage measurement). However, the change in the structure of power supply from centralized (with one-way current flow) to decentralized (with different DRGs) creates a serious threat to network protection systems in terms of reliability of operation, sensitivity and coordination of various protection elements.
It is established that innovative methods demonstrate higher flexibility, accuracy and ability to self-organize. At the same time, they require more complex technical and software implementation, communication setup and relevant implementation experience. The reliability of protection in the future will be determined by the system's ability to adapt to rapid changes in operating mode, dynamic connection and change of DRG parameters, requirements for power supply of critical consumers even in the event of a transition to islanding modes when disconnected from the main grid.
Key words: distributed generation, transient stability, protection coordination, islanding, distribution networ.
References
1. Wang, J., Ganguly, S., & Kroposki, B. (2023). Study of Seamless Microgrid Transition Operation Using Grid-Forming Inverters. Preprint, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL/CP-5D00-86102). Presented at the 49th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IECON), Singapore, October 16–19, 2023.
2. Harag Margossian, Geert Deconinck, and Juergen Sachau (2015). "Distribution network protection considering grid code requirements for distributed generation", IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution, vol. 9, no. 12, pp. 1377–1381, Sept. 2015. DOI: 10.1049/iet-gtd.2014.0987R.
3. Baumgarten, K., Wachter, J., Wiegel, F., Jumar, R., & Hagenmeyer, V. (2023). The gap between experiment and simulation: Grid-forming inverter control during islanding transition. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.
4. Jain, D. L. Lubkeman, and S. M. Lukic. (2019). "Dynamic Adaptive Protection for Distribution Systems in Grid-Connected and Islanded Modes," IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 714-723, April 2019, doi: 10.1109/TPWRD.2018.2875642.
5. M. Meskin, P. Iyer, and A. Domijan. (2017). "Impact of PV sources on the overcurrent relays in medium voltage distribution networks," in Proc. IEEE Green Technologies Conf. (GreenTech), Mar. 2017, pp. 1–6. doi: 10.1109/GreenTech.2017.46.
6. L. N. H. Pham, V. Rosero-Morillo, and F. Gonzalez-Longatt. (2024). "Directional overcurrent protection design for distribution network: CIGRE European medium-voltage benchmark network," Eng. Proc., vol. 77, p. 26, 2024. doi: 10.3390/engproc2024077026
7. Mulenga and N. Etherden. (2023). "Multiple Distribution Networks Hosting Capacity Assessment Using a Stochastic Approach," Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks, vol. 36, pp. 101170, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.segan.2023.101170.
8. H. Zahid, A. Zulfiqar, M. Adnan, S. Iqbal, and S. E. G. Mohamed. (2025). "A Review on Socio-Technical Transition Pathway to European Super Smart Grid: Trends, Challenges and Way Forward via Enabling Technologies," Results in Engineering, vol. 25, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.104155.
9. A.Vafadar, M. A. Hejazi, H. Hashemi-Dezaki, and N. Mohagheghi. (2024). "Optimal Protection Coordination of Active Distribution Networks Using Smart Selection of Short Circuit Voltage-Based Relay Characteristics," Energies, vol. 16, no. 14, p. 5301, Jul. 2023. doi: 10.3390/en16145301 S. Piskunov and A. Mokeev, "Improving Protection of Medium Voltage Networks," E3S Web of Conferences, vol. 584, 2024, doi: 10.1051/e3sconf/202458401031.
10. Tran The Hoang, Quoc Tuan Tran, and Yvon Besanger. (2022). "An Advanced Protection Scheme for Medium-Voltage Distribution Networks Containing Low-Voltage Microgrids With High Penetration of Photovoltaic Systems," International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, vol. 139, p. 107988, July 2022. doi: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2022.107988.
11. B. Wang and L. Jing. (2020). "A protection method for inverter-based microgrid using current-only polarity comparison," J. Mod. Power Syst. Clean Energy, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 446–453, May 2020. doi: 10.35833/MPCE.2018.000722
12. H. Fayazi, B. Fani, M. Moazzami, and G. Shahgholian. (2021)."An offline three-level protection coordination scheme for distribution systems considering transient stability of synchronous distributed generation," International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, vol. 131, p. 107069, 2021. doi: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2021.107069.
13. F. M. Abo-Shady, M. A. Alaam, and A. M. Azmy. (2013). "Impedance-Based Fault Location Technique for Distribution Systems in Presence of Distributed Generation," in Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Smart Energy Grid Engineering (SEGE), Oshawa, Canada, 28–30 Aug. 2013, pp. 1–6.
doi: 10.1109/SEGE.2013.6707931.
14. F. Coffele, C. Booth, and A. Dyśko. (2013). "An Adaptive Overcurrent Protection Scheme for Distribution Networks," in Proceedings of the IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting, 2013, pp. 1–8.
15. H. Laaksonen. (2015). "Protection Scheme for Island Operated Medium-Voltage Microgrid," International Review of Electrical Engineering (IREE), vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 540–552, July–August 2015. doi: 10.15866/iree.v10i4.7131.
16. L. Wang, X. Song, and W. Jiang. (2024). "Differential Protection Scheme for Distribution Network With Distributed Generation Based on Improved Feature Mode Decomposition and Derivative Dynamic Time Warping," Frontiers in Energy Research, vol. 12, Art. no. 1369880, Mar. 2024. doi: 10.3389/fenrg.2024.1369880.
17. M. Meskin, P. Iyer, and A. Domijan. (2017). "Impact of PV Sources on the Overcurrent Relays in Medium Voltage Distribution Networks," in Proceedings of the IEEE Green Technologies Conference (GreenTech), Denver, CO, USA, Mar. 2017, pp. 46–52. doi: 10.1109/GreenTech.2017.4.
18. C. Yu, Z. Gao, Z. Liu, and Z. Tao. (2023). “Current differential protection for active distribution networks based on adaptive phase angle compensation coefficient,” Applied Sciences, vol. 13, no. 8, p. 4723, Apr. 2023, doi: 10.3390/app13084723.
19. S. Nikolovski, M. Vukobratović, and L. Majdandžić. (2016). "Protection Coordination and Anti-Islanding Protection Solution for Biomass Power Plant Connected on Distribution Network," International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering (IJECE), vol. 6, no. 6, pp. 2526–2537, Dec. 2016. doi: 10.11591/ijece.v6i6.11418.
20. V. Rosero-Morillo, S. Salazar-Pérez, F. Gonzalez-Longatt, and A. Rodríguez-García. (2022). "Impact of Distributed Generation Integration on Protection Devices: A Case Study in the CIGRE European Medium Voltage Network," Energies, vol. 15, no. 4, p. 1450, Feb. 2022. doi: 10.3390/en15041450.
21. S. Piskunov and A. Mokeev, "Improving Protection of Medium Voltage Networks," E3S Web of Conferences, vol. 584, p. 01031, 2024. doi: 10.1051/e3sconf/202458401031.
22. A.Neves, B. Almeida, M. Louro, J. F. Martins, and J. G. Pinto. (2019). "Protection Scheme for Energy Storage Systems Operating in Island or Grid-Connected Modes," in Proceedings of the 54th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC), Bucharest, Romania, Sept. 2019, pp. 1–6.
doi: 10.1109/UPEC.2019.8893400
23. C. Yu, Z. Gao, Z. Liu and Z. Tao. (2023). "Current Differential Protection for Active Distribution Networks Based on Adaptive Phase Angle Compensation Coefficient," Applied Sciences, vol. 13, no. 8, p. 4723, Apr. 2023, doi: 10.3390/app13084723.
24. Wang, B., & Jing, L. (2020). A Protection Method for Inverter-Based Microgrid Using Current-Only Polarity Comparison. Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy, 8(3), 446–453.
25. Candelaria Utrilla, C., Sigrist, L., Rouco, L., Barroso, A., Ballesteros, F. J., & Santamaria, A. (2020). Islanding tests in medium-voltage distribution systems with synchronous and non-synchronous generation. CIRED – Open Access Proceedings Journal, 2020(1), 493–496.
26. Roos, M. H., Nguyen, P. H., Morren, J., & Slootweg, J. G. (2020). Modeling and experimental validation of power electronic loads and DERs for microgrid islanding simulations. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 35(3), 2279–2288.
27. Tsimtsios, A. M., & Nikolaidis, V. C. (2021). Plug-and-Play Protection: A Solution Against Protection Scheme Design Complexity in Modern Active Distribution Systems. In CIRED 2021 - The 26th International Conference and Exhibition on Electricity Distribution, Paper 58. DOI: 10.1049/icp.2021.1800.
28. G. Frigo, A. Derviškadić, Y. Zuo, and M. Paolone. (2019). "PMU-Based ROCOF Measurements: Uncertainty Limits and Metrological Significance in Power System Applications," IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, vol. 68, no. 7, pp. 2617–2627, July 2019, doi: 10.1109/TIM.2018.2877102.
29. A. Sarhan, M. Barczentewicz, and F. Lerch. (2024). "Hybrid islanding detection method using PMU-ANN approach for inverter-based distributed generation systems," IET Renewable Power Generation, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 142–151, 2024, doi: 10.1049/rpg2.12957.
30. Apoorva Shukla, Soham Dutta, Pradip Kumar Sadhu. (2021). "An island detection approach by μ-PMU with reduced chances of cyber attack," International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, vol. 126, Part A, March 2021, Article 106599. doi: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2020.106599.
Published
Issue
Section
License
Relationship between right holders and users shall be governed by the terms of the license Creative Commons Attribution – non-commercial – Distribution On Same Conditions 4.0 international (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0):https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.uk
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
