Sensitivity analysis of a PLC-based anti-islanding solution using DSSS

Distributed generation (DG) units are widely used in modern power grids. The sub-grid islanding condition associated with a loss of mains (LoM) in such grids is a topical safety issue. In this paper, we discuss potential anti-islanding solutions, analyze the physical constraints, propose a power line communication (PLC) based concept, and perform its sensitivity analysis. The concept description covers a system topology, a signalling mechanism, communication hardware, and a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) based software signalling algorithm. The designed concept is evaluated in the laboratory environment using software-defined radios (SDR), a medium/low-voltage (MV/LV) distribution transformer, and a white noise generator. Test results and their analysis are presented. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the carrier frequency, the spreading code (SC) length, and the synchronization key (SK) length are analyzed as sensitivity factors, and operational results of the concept are discussed.

[1]  Xin Ding,et al.  A Comparison Study of Three Power-Line Communication Techniques in Low Signal-to-Noise Ratio Conditions , 2007, 2007 IEEE International Symposium on Power Line Communications and Its Applications.

[2]  Matthias Götz,et al.  Power line channel characteristics and their effect on communication system design , 2004, IEEE Communications Magazine.

[3]  Anna Scaglione,et al.  For the Grid and Through the Grid: The Role of Power Line Communications in the Smart Grid , 2010, Proceedings of the IEEE.

[4]  Julian Meng,et al.  Effective Communication Strategies for Noise-Limited Power-Line Channels , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.

[5]  Antti Pinomaa,et al.  PLC Concept for LVDC Distribution Systems , 2011, IEEE Communications Magazine.

[6]  Jukka Lassila,et al.  Comparison of Reliability Indices From the Perspective of Network Automation Devices , 2010, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.

[7]  A. Poluektov,et al.  Designing a power-line-communication-based LoM protection concept with application of software-defined radios , 2016, 2016 International Symposium on Power Line Communications and its Applications (ISPLC).

[8]  Aldo W. Morales,et al.  Performance of OFDM-based power line communication under asynchronous noise , 2014, 2014 IEEE International Conference on Consumer Electronics (ICCE).

[9]  Antonio Cataliotti,et al.  Hybrid passive and communications-based methods for islanding detection in medium and low voltage smart grids , 2013, 4th International Conference on Power Engineering, Energy and Electrical Drives.

[10]  Mike Ropp,et al.  Using power line carrier communications to prevent islanding [of PV power systems] , 2000, Conference Record of the Twenty-Eighth IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference - 2000 (Cat. No.00CH37036).

[11]  Liuchen Chang,et al.  Recent developments in islanding detection for distributed power generation , 2004, 2004 Large Engineering Systems Conference on Power Engineering (IEEE Cat. No.04EX819).