Impact of Distributed Generators on Protective Devices in Radial Distribution Systems

Proper protection of distribution systems is essential to ensure high reliability and power quality. With the proposed migration to the inclusion of distributed generation in distribution systems, it is critical that the protection schemes be adapted to address these new and very different system characteristics. The authors of this paper have studied the impact of the integration of DGs in radial distribution systems on the selectivity and coordination of existing overcurrent protection schemes. Studies were conducted using the IEEE 34 node test feeder. Protective devices and distributed generators were added to the test feeder. Normal and short circuit characteristics of the feeder with and without distributed generators were analyzed. The analysis is being used to determine how overcurrent protection must be modified to properly protect distribution systems with DGs. This presentation discusses the findings of these studies

[1]  A. Girgis,et al.  Effect of distributed generation on protective device coordination in distribution system , 2001, LESCOPE 01. 2001 Large Engineering Systems Conference on Power Engineering. Conference Proceedings. Theme: Powering Beyond 2001 (Cat. No.01ex490).

[2]  P.P. Barker,et al.  Determining the impact of distributed generation on power systems. I. Radial distribution systems , 2000, 2000 Power Engineering Society Summer Meeting (Cat. No.00CH37134).

[3]  Behruz Fardanesh,et al.  Distribution System Protection with Decentralized Generation Introduced into the System , 1984, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

[4]  W. H. Kersting.  Radial distribution test feeders , 1991 .

[5]  W. H. Kersting,et al.  Radial distribution test feeders , 1991, 2001 IEEE Power Engineering Society Winter Meeting. Conference Proceedings (Cat. No.01CH37194).

[6]  Roger C. Dugan,et al.  Electric Distribution Protection Problems Associated with the Interconnection of Small Dispersed Generation Devices , 1984, IEEE Power Engineering Review.

[7]  Roger C. Dugan,et al.  Operating conflicts for distributed generation on distribution systems , 2001, 2001 Rural Electric Power Conference. Papers Presented at the 45th Annual Conference (Cat. No.01CH37214).

[8]  JAMES PATTON,et al.  Analysis of Utility Protection Problems Associated with Small Wind Turbine Interconnections , 1982, IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems.