Impact of Distributed Generation Grid Code Requirements on Islanding Detection in LV Networks

Fabio Bignucolo, Alberto Cerretti, Massimiliano Coppo, Andrea Savio and Roberto Turri
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Fabio Bignucolo: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
Alberto Cerretti: e-distribuzione Società per azioni (S.p.A.), Via Ombrone 2, 00198 Roma, Italy
Massimiliano Coppo: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
Andrea Savio: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
Roberto Turri: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy

Energies, 2017, vol. 10, issue 2, 1-16

Abstract: The recent growing diffusion of dispersed generation in low voltage (LV) distribution networks is entailing new rules to make local generators participate in network stability. Consequently, national and international grid codes, which define the connection rules for stability and safety of electrical power systems, have been updated requiring distributed generators and electrical storage systems to supply stabilizing contributions. In this scenario, specific attention to the uncontrolled islanding issue has to be addressed since currently required anti-islanding protection systems, based on relays locally measuring voltage and frequency, could no longer be suitable. In this paper, the effects on the interface protection performance of different LV generators’ stabilizing functions are analysed. The study takes into account existing requirements, such as the generators’ active power regulation (according to the measured frequency) and reactive power regulation (depending on the local measured voltage). In addition, the paper focuses on other stabilizing features under discussion, derived from the medium voltage (MV) distribution network grid codes or proposed in the literature, such as fast voltage support (FVS) and inertia emulation. Stabilizing functions have been reproduced in the DIgSILENT PowerFactory 2016 software environment, making use of its native programming language. Later, they are tested both alone and together, aiming to obtain a comprehensive analysis on their impact on the anti-islanding protection effectiveness. Through dynamic simulations in several network scenarios the paper demonstrates the detrimental impact that such stabilizing regulations may have on loss-of-main protection effectiveness, leading to an increased risk of unintentional islanding.

Keywords: distributed generation (DG); power regulation; fast voltage support (FVS); inertia emulation; interface protection system (IPS); islanding detection; unintentional islanding (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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