Analysis Of Distance Based Fault Location Methods For Smart Grids With Distributed Generation

This paper shows analyses of the performance of fault location methods in power distribution systems with and without distributed generation (DG). These analyses are based on the investigation of the impact of DGs on the efficiency of important fault location methods. The fault location is assessed by the impedance, calculated at the substation using a distance (or impedance) relay. The impedance based fault location methods need few information, are simple and relatively accurate. However, most of the existing fault location methods were not developed/tested taking into account the new characteristics of distribution networks, such as the inclusion of DGs. Due to the increase in DG penetration and the high incidence of faults in distribution systems, it is necessary to study fault location techniques in the presence of DGs. The results will support the choice of suitable fault location methods to be implemented in smart grids with distributed generation. © 2013 IEEE.Warrington, A., (1968) Protective Relays, Their Theory and Practice, 2. , London: Chapman and HallDas, R., (1998) Determining the Locations of Fault in Distribution Systems, , Ph.D. dissertation, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, CanadaMorales-España, G., Mora-Flórez, J., Vargas-Torres, H., Fault location method based on the determination of the minimum fault reactance for uncertainty loaded and unbalanced power distribution systems (2010) IEEE/PES T&D-LA, pp. 803-809. , NovGirgis, A., Fallon, C., Lubkerman, D., A fault location technique for rural distribution feeders (1993) IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., 26 (6), pp. 1170-1175Novosel, D., Hart, D., Myllymaki, J., (1998) System for Locating Faults and Estimating fault resistance in distribution networks with tapped loads, , US Patent number 5,839,093Yang, L., Springs, C., (1998) One Terminal Fault Location System that Corrects for Fault Resistance Effects, , US Patent number 5,773,980Saha, M., Rosolowski, E., (2002) Method and Device of Fault Location for Distribution Networks, , US Patent number 6,483,435Aggarwal, R.K., Aslan, Y., Johns, A.T., An interactive approach to fault location on overhead distribution lines with load taps (1997) IEEE Developments in Power System Protection, pp. 184-187. , Conference Publication No. 434(2013) Generation Capacity of the Brazilian State Mato Grosso, , http://www.aneel.gov.br/aplicacoes/ResumoEstadual/GeracaoTipoFase.asp? tipo=5&fase=3&UF=MT:MATO%20GROSSO, [in Portuguese]. Accessed: JunMora-Florez, J., Melendez, J., Carrillo-Caicedo, G., Comparison of impedance based fault location methods for power distribution systems (2008) Electric Power Systems Research, 78 (4), pp. 657-666. , DOI 10.1016/j.epsr.2007.05.010, PII S037877960700123