Review of Methods for Addressing Challenging Issues in the Operation of Protection Devices in Microgrids with Voltages of up to 1 kV That Integrates Distributed Energy Resources

Pavel Ilyushin (), Vladislav Volnyi, Konstantin Suslov and Sergey Filippov
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Pavel Ilyushin: Department of Research on the Relationship between Energy and the Economy, Energy Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117186 Moscow, Russia
Vladislav Volnyi: Department of Hydropower and Renewable Energy, National Research University “Moscow Power Engineering Institute”, 111250 Moscow, Russia
Konstantin Suslov: Department of Hydropower and Renewable Energy, National Research University “Moscow Power Engineering Institute”, 111250 Moscow, Russia
Sergey Filippov: Department of Research on the Relationship between Energy and the Economy, Energy Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117186 Moscow, Russia

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 23, 1-22

Abstract: With the large-scale integration of distributed energy resources (DER) into passive distribution networks with voltages of up to 1 kV, these networks are being converted into microgrids. When the topology and operating conditions change, several challenging issues arise related to the functioning of the protection devices (PD) that are in operation. Most DERs, including renewable generators, are integrated into microgrids by means of inverters. In the event of short circuits (SC) in microgrids, these DERs provide a fault current contribution of no more than 1.2–2.0 I rated at the fault location. This makes it difficult to identify the fault location and to carry out the selective disconnection of the faulty element by means of conventional PDs. This article provides an overview of engineering solutions for improving conventional protection schemes that have been historically used in passive distribution networks, as well as for creating modern protection schemes based on innovative principles and new methods. The use of adaptive protections built on decentralized and centralized principles in most cases ensures the reliable protection of microgrids. Modern intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), where protection functions are implemented, rank higher with respect to their technical perfection in terms of reliability, sensitivity, selectivity, and speed performance. The use of multi-agent systems in the implementation of modern protection schemes requires the availability of broadband communication channels, which hinders their use because of the high cost. The combined use of fault current limiters (FCL) and energy storage systems (ESS) allows for the reliable operation of microgrid protections. The use of modern PDs ensures the reliable operation of DERs and power supply to consumers in microgrids, both in the case of grid-connected and islanded operation modes. Since there is no unified concept of designing protection schemes for microgrids with DERs, the choice of specific approaches to the design of protection schemes should be based on the results of a comparative technical and economic analysis of different options.

Keywords: microgrid; distributed energy sources; inverter; protection device; intelligent electronic device; islanded mode; fault current limiter; energy storage system (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: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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