Wide-Area Backup Protection Against Asymmetrical Faults Using Available Phasor Measurements

This paper proposes a robust and computationally efficient wide-area backup protection (WABP) scheme against asymmetrical faults on transmission systems using available synchronized/unsynchronized phasor measurements. Based on the substitution theorem, the proposed scheme replaces the faulted line with two suitable current sources. This results in a linear system of equations for WABP, with no need of full system observability by measurement devices. The identification of the faulted line is attributed to the sum of squared residuals (SoSR) of the developed system of equations. To preserve accuracy, the scheme limits the calculations to the assessment of the negative-sequence circuit of the gird. Relevant practical aspects that have not been properly addressed in the literature, namely the non-simultaneous opening of circuit breakers (CBs) and their single-pole tripping for single-phase to ground faults are investigated. The linearity of the formulations derived removes concerns over convergence speed and potential time-synchronization challenges. The proposed scheme is able to identify the faulted line and retain this capability for hundreds of milliseconds following the fault inception. More than 20 000 simulations conducted on the IEEE 39-bus test system verify the effectiveness of the proposed WABP scheme

ESTIMATION OF TRANSMISSION LINE PARAMETERS USING LINEAR METHOD WITH SYNCHRONIZED AND UNSYNCHRONIZED DATA

Accurate value of transmission line parameters is important for power system protection applications, especially for distance relays whose zone settings are based on positive sequence line impedance. The research is devoted to estimating transmission line positive-sequence parameters from synchronized or unsynchronized measurements of voltage and current phasors that are obtained at both terminals of the line. The positive sequence parameters including series impedance and shunt admittance can be linearly estimated. The linear least square algorithm has been derived in this dissertation for different transmission line configurations. The algorithm is able to handle both synchronized and unsynchronized measurements and deal with potential synchronization errors by explicitly modeling the synchronization angle. Sample results are reported to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Three types of transmission line models depending on line length (long, medium and short) are studied in this dissertation. Chapter 3 uses unsynchronized data for the long transmission line. The derived method can detect the unsynchronized angle and estimate the positive sequence of long line parameters. The proposed method is examined with negative impacts such as errors on currents and voltages data. These errors are added randomly to one set each time to test the robustness of the developed algorithm. The medium transmission line algorithm derivation is presented in chapter 4. This chapter uses a linear least square to estimate the lumped parameters of a medium transmission line. The two different transmission line circuits are used to model the medium line. The first circuit is a single transmission line with two nodes and is used to evaluate the developed algorithm. The second circuit is a double transmission line. These two lines can have the same or different line parameters or line length. The developed algorithm shows that the proposed method achieves highly accurate results for the estimation of positive sequence line parameters. The short transmission line is studied in chapter 5. The short transmission line uses less data than the long or medium lines because in this model the shunt capacitance is omitted. Thus, the linear estimation yields highly accurate results. Case studies are considered to test the robustness of this developed method. The line temperature mainly affects the series resistance, and the developed algorithms in previous three chapters can accurately estimate the transmission line parameters. To simplify the real-time estimation of line resistance and temperature, the series inductance, and shunt capacitance can be treated as constant and known values. Chapter 6 provides such studies of estimating resistance by treating inductance and capacitance as known values

Estimation of Overhead Transmission Line Fault Distance Using Unsynchronized Two-Terminal Method

This paper presents the estimation of transmission line fault distance using unsynchronized two-terminal method. In operation, high or extra-high overhead voltage transmission lines can be interrupted. The disturbance can come from internal or external interference, which is permanent or temporary. For permanent interference, the network operator must visit the location of the disturbance in order to fix it. Because the transmission line is very long, while it takes quick time to find out the location of the disturbance so that it can be repaired immediately, then a method is needed to find out the location of the disturbance. This research proposes a method for determining the location of faults based on voltage and current data at the time of interference from both ends of the transmission line. The interference voltage and current data need not be synchronized. The use of this data makes this method very simple and easy to use. However, the accuracy of the estimation results can still be relied upon. In this study, a simulation was carried out on a two-end transmission line. The transmission line has a phase disturbance to the ground. The noise resistance applied in the simulation is 0 ohms, 10 ohms, 50 ohms, and 100 ohms. The results showed that the highest estimated error was 0.3%, which indicates that this method has a high degree of accuracy

Fault Location in Transmission Systems Using Synchronized Measurements

Compared with conventional measurements from supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, phasor measurement units (PMUs) provide time-synchronized and direct measurements of phasors. The availability of synchronized phasor measurements can significantly improve power system protection and analysis. This dissertation is specifically committed to using synchronized measurements for estimation of fault locations in transmission systems. Transmission lines are prone to various short-circuit faults. Accurate fault location is critical for rapid power recovery. Chapter 2 proposes a new fault location method based on sparse wide area measurements. One distinguishing feature of this method is its applicability to both transposed and untransposed transmission lines. In addition, the method is developed based on sparse-wide area measurement that may be taken far away from the faulted line. Shunt capacitances of transmission lines are also fully considered by the algorithm. Moreover, when synchronized measurements from multiple buses are available, an optimal estimator can be used to make the most use of measurements, and to detect and identify potential bad measurements. Most of the existing fault location literatures discuss common shunt faults, including single line-to-ground faults, line-to-line faults, line-to-line-to-ground faults, and three-phase faults. However, in addition to common shunt faults, some complex faults may also occur in power systems. Among these complex faults, evolving fault and inter-circuit fault are two typical examples. Chapter 3 extends the method developed in Chapter 2 to deal with evolving faults. The proposed wide-area fault location methods are immune to fault type evolution, and are applicable to both transposed and untransposed lines. Chapter 4 discusses location of inter-circuit faults. Inter-circuit fault is a type of simultaneous fault, and it is the most common simultaneous fault type. Inter-circuit faults between each circuit in a double-circuit line is the most common inter-circuit fault. A fault location method for inter-circuit faults on double-circuit lines are developed and evaluated in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 puts forward a fault location algorithm, which does not require line parameters information, for series-compensated transmission lines. Two-end synchronized voltage and current measurements are utilized. The proposed method is independent of source impedance and fully considers shunt capacitances of transmission lines

Enhanced two-terminal impedance-based fault location using sequence values

Fault at transmission line system may lead to major impacts such as power quality problems and cascading failure in the grid system. Thus, it is very important to locate it fast so that suitable solution can be taken to ensure power system stability can be retained. The complexity of the transmission line however makes the fault point identification a challenging task. This paper proposes an enhanced fault detection and location method using positive and negative-sequence values of current and voltage, taken at both local and remote terminals. The fault detection is based on comparison between the total fault current with currents combination during the pre-fault time. While the fault location algorithm was developed using an impedance-based method and the estimated fault location was taken at two cycles after fault detection. Various fault types, fault resistances and fault locations have been tested in order to verify the performance of the proposed method. The developed algorithms have successfully detected all faults within high accuracy. Based on the obtained results, the estimated fault locations are not affected by fault resistance and line charging current. Furthermore, the proposed method able to detect fault location without the needs to know the fault type

An Accurate Offline Phasor Estimation Technique For Fault Location In Series Compensated Lines

In series compensated transmission lines, current and voltage signals measured by the line protection system include considerable sub-synchronous frequency components (SSFCs) which are not sufficiently damped within a typical fault clearing time of line protection system. This does not allow accurate phasor estimation and thereby phasor-based fault location. This paper presents an accurate algorithm which effectively filters out the unwanted frequency components and noise to perform accurate phasor estimation for fault location in series compensated transmission lines. Phasor estimation of a theoretical signal is first evaluated using the proposed method, Direct-Prony analysis and 4-cycle discrete Fourier transform algorithm. Then, various fault locations of a 500 kV series compensated transmission line simulated in PSCAD/EMTDC are used to comprehensively evaluate the performance of the proposed technique. It is shown that the proposed method can effectively attenuate SSFCs and other unwanted frequency components in current and voltage signals allowing accurate phasor estimation

Fault location and analysis in transmission and distribution networks

Short-circuit faults are inevitable on transmission and distribution networks. In an effort to provide system operators with an accurate location estimate and reduce service restoration times, several impedance-based fault location algorithms have been developed for transmission and distribution networks. Each algorithm has specific input data requirements and make certain assumptions that may or may not hold true in a particular scenario. Identifying the best fault location approach, therefore, requires a thorough understanding of the working principle behind each algorithm. Moreover, impedance-based fault location algorithms require voltage and current phasors, captured by intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), to estimate the fault location. Unfortunately, voltage phasors are not always available due to operational constraints or equipment failure. Furthermore, impedance-based fault location algorithms assume a radial distribution feeder. With increased interconnection of distributed generators (DGs) to the feeder, this assumption is violated. DGs also contribute to the fault and severely compromise the accuracy of location estimates. In addition, the variability of certain DGs such as the fixed-speed wind turbine can alter fault current levels and result in relay misoperations. Finally, data recorded by IEDs during a fault contain a wealth of information and are prime for use in other applications that improve power system reliability. Based on the above background, the first objective of this dissertation is to present a comprehensive theory of impedance-based fault location algorithms. The contributions lie in clearly specifying the input data requirement of each algorithm and identifying their strengths and weaknesses. The following criteria are recommended for selecting the most suitable fault location algorithm: (a) data availability and (b) application scenario. The second objective is to develop fault location algorithms that use only the current to estimate the fault location. The simple but powerful algorithms allow system operators to locate faults even in the absence of voltage data. The third objective is to investigate the shortcomings of existing fault location algorithms when DGs are interconnected to the distribution feeder and develop an improved solution. A novel algorithm is proposed that require only the voltage and current phasors at the substation, is straightforward to implement, and is capable of locating all fault types. The fourth objective is to examine the effects of wind speed variation on the maximum and minimum fault current levels of a wind turbine and investigate the impact on relay settings. Contributions include developing an accurate time-domain model of a fixed-speed wind turbine with tower shadow and wind shear and verifying that the variation in wind speed does not violate relay settings calculated using the IEC 60909-0 Standard. The final objective is to exploit intelligent electronic device data for improving power system reliability. Contributions include validating the zero-sequence impedance of multi-terminal transmission lines with unsynchronized measurements, reconstructing the sequence of events, assessing relay performance, estimating the fault resistance, and verifying the accuracy of the system model. Overall, the research presented in this dissertation aims to describe the theory of impedance-based fault location, identify the sources of fault location error, propose solutions to overcome those error sources, and share lessons learned from analyzing intelligent electronic device data. The research is expected to reduce service downtime, prevent protection system misoperations, and improve power quality.Electrical and Computer Engineerin

Integration of conventional and unconventional Instrument Transformers in Smart Grids

In this thesis the reader will be guided towards the role of Instrument Transformers inside the always evolving Smart Grid scenario. In particular, even non-experts or non-metrologists will have the chance to follow the main concepts presented; this, because the basic principles are always presented before moving to in-deep discussions. The chapter including the results of the work is preceded by three introductive chapters. These, contain the basic principles and the state of the art necessary to provide the reader the tools to approach the results chapter. The first three chapters describe: Instrument Transformers, Standards, and Metrology. In the first chapter, the studied Instrument Transformers are described and compared with particular attention to their accuracy parameters. In the second chapter instead, two fundamental international documents, concerning Instrument Transformers, are analysed: the IEC 61869 series and the EN 50160. This has been done to be completely aware of how transformers are standardized and regulated. Finally, the last introductive chapter presents one of the pillars of this work: metrology and the role of uncertainty. In the core of the work Instrument Transformers integration in Smart Grid is distinguished in two main topics. The first assesses the transformers behaviour, in terms of accuracy, when their normal operation is affected by external quantities. The second exploits the current and voltage measurements obtained from the transformers to develop new algorithm and techniques to face typical and new issue affecting Smart Grids. In the overall, this thesis has a bifold aim. On one hand it provides a quite-detailed overview on Instrument Transformers technology and state of the art. On the other hand, it describes issues and novelties concerning the use of the transformers among Smart Grids, focusing on the role of uncertainty when their measurements are used for common and critical applications

ADVANCED FAULT AREA IDENTIFICATION AND FAULT LOCATION FOR TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

Fault location reveals the exact information needed for utility crews to timely and promptly perform maintenance and system restoration. Therefore, accurate fault location is a key function in reducing outage time and enhancing power system reliability. Modern power systems are witnessing a trend of integrating more distributed generations (DG) into the grid. DG power outputs may be intermittent and can no longer be treated as constants in fault location method development. DG modeling is also difficult for fault location purpose. Moreover, most existing fault location methods are not applicable to simultaneous faults. To solve the challenges, this dissertation proposes three impedance-based fault location algorithms to pinpoint simultaneous faults for power transmission systems and distribution systems with high penetration of DGs. The proposed fault location algorithms utilize the voltage and/or current phasors that are captured by phasor measurement units. Bus impedance matrix technique is harnessed to establish the relationship between the measurements and unknown simultaneous fault locations. The distinct features of the proposed algorithms are that no fault types and fault resistances are needed to determine the fault locations. In particular, Type I and Type III algorithms do not need the information of source impedances and prefault measurements to locate the faults. Moreover, the effects of shunt capacitance are fully considered to improve fault location accuracy. The proposed algorithms for distribution systems are validated by evaluation studies using Matlab and Simulink SimPowerSystems on a 21 bus distribution system and the modified IEEE 34 node test system. Type II fault location algorithm for transmission systems is applicable to untransposed lines and is validated by simulation studies using EMTP on a 27 bus transmission system. Fault area identification method is proposed to reduce the number of line segments to be examined for fault location. In addition, an optimal fault location method that can identify possible bad measurement is proposed for enhanced fault location estimate. Evaluation studies show that the optimal fault location method is accurate and effective. The proposed algorithms can be integrated into the existing energy management system for enhanced fault management capability for power systems