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Application of Firefly Algorithm for Optimal Directional Overcurrent Relays

Coordination in the Presence of IFCL

Article · February 2014

DOI: 10.5815/ijisa.2014.02.06

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I.J. Intelligent Systems and Applications, 2014, 02, 44-53
Published Online January 2014 in MECS (http://www.mecs-press.org/)
DOI: 10.5815/ijisa.2014.02.06

Application of Firefly Algorithm for Optimal

Directional Overcurrent Relays Coordination in
the Presence of IFCL
Rabah Benabid
Department of Electrical Engineering, CRNB, Djelfa, Algeria
E-mail: [email protected]

Mohamed Zellagui, Abdelaziz Chaghi

LSP-IE, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Batna, Algeria
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Mohamed Boudour
LSEI, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene, Algeria
E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract — This paper considers the impact of the emphasized. Today, options available for utility
Inductive Fault Current Limiter (IFCL) on directional companies to reduce fault currents of a power grid are
overcurrent relays coordination. The coordination not many. More unfortunate, there are some significant
problem is formulated as a non-linear constrained drawbacks for this small number of options. For
mono-objective optimization problem. The objective instance, using high impedance transformers and
function of this optimization problem is the earthing reactors will compromise the efficiency and
minimization of the operation time of the associated increase the cost of the power system. Another option is
relays in the systems, and the decision variables are: the to split existing networks, which allows fault currents to
time dial setting (TDS) and the pickup current setting (IP) be reduced, but to the detriment of the stability and
of each relay. To solve this complex non linear efficiency of the grid [3]. A fault current limiter (FCL)
optimization problem, a variant of optimization is one of the promising fault current limiting
algorithms named Firefly Algorithm (FA) is used. The technologies that are expected to find greater use for
proposed method is tested on 8-bus power transmission limiting fault currents in power systems in the near
systems test systems considering the influences of future. A FCL is a device placed in electric network to
current relay under three-phases short-circuit with and limit the peak fault current. Basically, the FCL is
without IFCL for different locality. The results show the variable impedance that is installed in series with a
effectiveness of the solution. circuit breaker. In case of a fault, the impedance rises to
a value at which the fault current is correspondingly
reduced to a lower level that the circuit breaker can
Index Terms — Inductive Fault Current Limiter, Fault cope with [4, 5]. The FCL can offer cost-effective
Current, Directional Overcurrent Relay, Optimal means to limit the high level fault currents to lower
Coordination Time, Setting Relay, Firefly Algorithm levels which allow circuit breakers contact to open
quickly and safely. Application of the FCL in electric
power systems is expected not only to suppress the
amplitudes of the fault currents but also to enhance the
I. Introduction power system stability and quality [6].
As an electrical power system continues to expand in To insure reliability of the protective system, the
size, generation capacity and transmission network back-up scheme shouldn’t come in to action unless the
expansion may be restricted by the fault current limit. primary fails to take the appropriate action. In other
Such restrictions on generation capacity and words, it should operate after a certain time delay
transmission network can particularly affect the known as coordination time interval (CTI), giving the
reliabilities of the power system adversely [1, 2]. chance for the primary protection to operate. The fore
Therefore, to deal with the fault problem, an approach mentioned situation leads to the formulation of the well-
to limit the value of fault currents when a short circuit known protective relay setting coordination, that
takes place seems more desirable. The reliability and consists of the selection of a suitable setting of each
efficiency of the fault current limiting approach must be relay such that their fundamental protective function is

Copyright © 2014 MECS I.J. Intelligent Systems and Applications, 2014, 02, 44-53
 Application of Firefly Algorithm for 45
Optimal Directional Overcurrent Relays Coordination in the Presence of IFCL

met under the desirable qualities of protective relaying, be classified into three main groups depending on their
namely sensitivity, selectivity, reliability, and speed [7]. fundamental technology: 1) superconducting FCLs [5,
6], [17], magnetic FCLs [18], and solid-state FCLs [19].
In recent years, many research efforts have been
Alternatively, classification by impedance is possible,
made to achieve optimum protection coordination
in which case the main classes are inductive FCLs and
(optimum solution for relay settings) without SC using
resistive FCLs. Due to less heat dissipation and lower
different techniques and methodologies, including
requirements on cooling systems, we have considered
Interval Linear Programming (ILP) in [8], and
only inductive FCLs, not resistive FCLs, in this paper.
Nonlinear Programming (NLP) techniques environment
by Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) method in In order to investigate the influence of IFCLs on
[9], and as well as the Simplex Method (SM) in [10] system performance, a “physics-independent” dynamic
and Two Phase Simplex Method (TPSM) in [11]. model is developed here. It should be noted that this
However a new objective function approach is physics independent model and the related analysis in
presented to solve the optimization problem of this paper are suitable for the inductive fault current
coordination with the Continuous Genetic Algorithm limiters which have linearly-changing inductance within
(CGA) in [12], Evolutionary Algorithms (EA) is a certain time, not for the devices with non-linearly
presented in [13], Seeker Algorithm (SA) is presented changing-inductance devices.
in [14], and Teaching Learning-Based Optimization
The IFCL is modeled as a changing-inductance
(TLBO) in [15].
device with its control logic, to reflect the external
In this paper we present the solution of the dynamic performance in electric power systems. The
coordination problem of directional overcurrent relays model can be used to analyze system performance of a
using firefly algorithm in the presence IFLC for wide range of implementations of inductive FCLs by
minimized short-circuit current. This optimization is changing the model parameters, such as maximum
used to find an optimal setting of Time TDS and Ip of impedance, minimum impedance, activation time, and
each relay that minimizes the operating time of overall recovery time. The IFCL model is connected in series
relays. The new idea presented in this paper is taking with one control circuit to decide its inductance. The
into account the variation of the effective impedance of control signal initiates an irrevocable change in the
the line caused by the action of IFCL devices. Three device’s inductance which has two steady state values:
simulation scenarios are considered in this paper, one Lmin and Lmax. After a transition is commanded, L
without IFCL and two considering the location of IFCL changes continuously from one of these limits to the
devices. other, along a trajectory that can have several
mathematical forms.
The four user-adjustable parameters of this model are:
II. Inductive Fault Current Limiter activation time (τincrease) recovery time (τdecrease),
minimum inductance (Lmin) and maximum inductance
An FCL is a variable-impedance device that is (Lmax), as shown in figure 1. The system voltage crosses
connected in series with a power circuit to limit the zero at point A, a fault occurs at point B, and an FCL is
system current under fault conditions. It has low triggered and its inductance starts to increase at point C
impedance (ideally negligible impedance) under normal [20].
operating conditions and high impedance (not infinite)
under fault conditions. Many kinds of FCLs have been
developed over the past several decades [16]. These can

Fig. 1: Changing inductance of inductive FCL and system voltage

Copyright © 2014 MECS I.J. Intelligent Systems and Applications, 2014, 02, 44-53
46 Application of Firefly Algorithm for
Optimal Directional Overcurrent Relays Coordination in the Presence of IFCL

Consider the circuit shown in Figure 2, the inductive By varying the inductance of the IFCL, a better
FCL to be tested is placed in series with the load and current limitation can be achieved. From simulation
immediately after the main substation (circuit-breaker). studies, a linear relationship exists between the value of
A bolted three phase to ground fault is inserted right at IFCL impedance and how much current is limited. Also,
the terminals of the FCL for 500 ms with a fault we observe that the time constant is about 9 cycles after
resistance (RF) is the 10 Ω. the steady state faulted current is achieved.

III. Optimal Overcurrent Relay Coordination

The coordination of IDMT directional overcurrent
relays in a multi-loop system is formulated as an
optimization problem. The coordination problem,
including objective function and constraints, should
satisfy three requirements.
Fig. 2: A typical radial distribution system used for IFCL simulation

3.1 Objective Function

Figure 3 is show the current waveform and RMS with
and without FCL respectively. We note that by inserting The aim of this function (f) is to minimize the total
the IFCL with an Lmax = 0,23 mH for a voltage 12,5 kV operating time of all overcurrent protection relays in the
and 5,8 MVA system the current can be limited by at system with respect to the coordination time constraint
least 18,73% to 16 kA rms. between the backup and primary relays.

N 
f  Min  Ti  (1)
 i 1 

Where, Ti represents the operating time of the ith relay,

N represents the number of relays in the power system.
For each protective relay the operating time T is defined
as follows [10-15]:

K
Ti  TDS  S
(2)
 IM   L
 I 
 P

Where, T is relay operating time (sec), TDS is time

(a) dial setting (sec), IM is the fault current measured by
relay (A), IP is pickup current (A), KCT is ratio of the
current transformer. The constant K, L, and S depend on
the characteristic curve for IDMT directional
overcurrent relay. The current IM is defined by:

IF
IM  (3)
KCT

3.2 Constraints
The coordination problem has two types of
constraints, including the constraints of the relay
characteristic and coordination constraints. Relay
constraints include limits of relay operating time and
(b) settings. Coordination constraints are related to the
coordination of primary and backup relays.
Fig. 3: Phase A current for with/without IFCL.
a). Current waveform, b). Current RMS

Copyright © 2014 MECS I.J. Intelligent Systems and Applications, 2014, 02, 44-53
 Application of Firefly Algorithm for 47
Optimal Directional Overcurrent Relays Coordination in the Presence of IFCL

3.2.1 Relay Operating Time The algorithm was based on the idealized behavior of
the flashing characteristics of fireflies. Although FA
The operating time of a relay is a function of the
has many similarities with other algorithms which are
pickup current setting and the fault current seen by the
based on the so-called swarm intelligence; it is indeed
relay. Based on the type of relay, the operating time is
much simpler both in concept and implementation [21-
determined via standard characteristic curves or analytic
23]. Furthermore, this proposed technique is very
formula. The bounds on operating time are expressed by:
efficient and can outperform other conventional
algorithms, for solving many optimization problems;
Ti min  Ti  Ti max (4) where the statistical performance of the firefly
algorithm was measured against other well-known
optimization algorithms using various standard
Where, Ti min and Ti max are the minimum and maximum
stochastic test functions [21]. The pseudo code of the
operating times of the ith overcurrent relay. firefly-inspired algorithm was developed using these
three idealized rules [21-23]:

3.2.2 Coordination Time Interval 1). All fireflies are unisex and are attracted to other
fireflies regardless of their sex,
During the optimization procedure, the coordination
between the primary and the backup relays must be 2). The degree of the attractiveness of a firefly is
verified. In this paper, the chronometric coordination proportional to its brightness, and thus for any two
between the primary and the backup relays is used as flashing fireflies, the one that is less bright will move
follows equation: towards the brighter one. More brightness means less
distance between two fireflies. However, if any two
flashing fireflies have the same brightness, then they
Tbackup  Tprimary  CTI (5) move randomly,
3). Finally, the brightness of a firefly is determined
Where, Tbackup and Tprimary are the operating time of
by the value of the objective function. For a
the backup relay and the primary relay respectively, CTI
maximization problem, the brightness of each firefly is
is the minimum coordination time interval. For the
proportional to the value of the objective function and
electromechanical relays, the CTI is varied between
vice versa.
0.30 to 0.40 sec, while for the numerical relays it’s
varied between 0.10 to 0.20 sec [14, 15]. As light intensity and thus attractiveness decreases as
the distance from the source increases, the variations of
light intensity and attractiveness should be
3.3 Time Dial and Pickup Current Settings monotonically decreasing functions. In most
applications, the combined effect of both the inverse
The time dial setting (TDS) adjusts the time delay
square law and absorption can be approximated using
before the relay operates when the fault current reaches
the following Gaussian form:
a value equal to, or greater than, the pickup current (IP)
setting [12-15].
I ( r )  I 0 e  .r
2
(8)
TDS i
min
 TDSi  TDS i
max
(6)
Where, r is the distance between any two fireflies, I0
is the original light intensity and γ is the light absorption
I min
Pi  I Pi  I max
Pi (7) coefficient which controls the decrease of light intensity
and can be taken as a constant. As a firefly’s
Where, TDSimin and TDSimax are the minimum and the attractiveness is proportional to the light intensity seen
by adjacent fireflies.
maximum limits of TDS for the ith relay.
I Pimin and I Pimax are the minimum and the maximum
limits of IP for the ith relay. 4.1 Degree of the Attractiveness of a Firefly
In the FA, the main form of attractiveness function β
can be any of the monotonically decreasing functions as
IV. Firefly Optimization Algorithm given in:
Nature-inspired methodologies are among the most  .rpq
n

powerful algorithms for optimization problems. The

 (r )   0 e n≥1 (9)
Firefly Algorithm (FA) is a novel nature-inspired
algorithm inspired by the social behavior of fireflies, Where, β0 is the attractiveness at r = 0 [24] and also
was induced by Yang in 2008 [21, 22]. the movement of a firefly (i) is attracted to another
more attractive (brighter) firefly (j).

Copyright © 2014 MECS I.J. Intelligent Systems and Applications, 2014, 02, 44-53
48 Application of Firefly Algorithm for
Optimal Directional Overcurrent Relays Coordination in the Presence of IFCL

4.2 Distance Scenario A (SC A): optimal relays coordination

without IFCL.
The attractiveness can be achieved by tuning the
parameters β0 and γ. The distance rij between two Scenario B (SC B): optimal relays coordination with
fireflies is given in [22]: IFCL installed at midline line between bus 1 and 6.
Scenario C (SC C): optimal relays coordination

 x  x j ,k 
d
2 considering IFCL installed at midline line between bus
rij  xi  x j  i ,k (10) 1 and 6, and after two power source (G.1 and G.2).
k 1
As we mentioned before, the line series
th
Where, xi,k is the k component of the spatial compensation will modify the effective impedance of
coordinate of the jth firefly and d is the number of the line as well as the short circuit current seen by the
dimensions. The j  {1, 2, ... , m} is a randomly chosen relays. For this reasons, the three phase short circuit
index. Although j is determined randomly, it has to be currents are developed and computed for each
different from i. Here, m is the number of fireflies. For simulation scenario.
other applications such as scheduling, the distance can In the three scenarios A, B and C, the CTI is fixed to
be any of the suitable forms, and not necessarily the 0, 20 second and the TDS is limited (0.1  TDS  1.1)
Cartesian distance (equation 10). and Ip is limited (0.5  Ip  2.5). Furthermore, the
In general, β0  [0, 1], and this when β0 = 0, only a numerical overcurrent relays characteristic is considered
non-cooperative distributed random search is applied. as normal inverse according to the IEC standard and for
When β0 = 1, the scheme of a cooperative local search is the IDMT directional overcurrent relays, the constant K,
performed such that the brightest firefly strongly L, and S are defined as follows: K = 0.14, S = 0.02, and
determines the other fireflies’ position, especially in its L = -1.
neighborhood [21, 22]. When γ = 0, there is no variation Figure 4, represents the second case study of a
or the fireflies have constant attractiveness. When γ = ∞, transmission network fed by two generators and with
it results in attractiveness being close to zero, which six bus, seventh lines and fourth load. The power
again is equivalent to the complete random search. In system study is compensated with IFCL located at
general, the value of γ is between 0 and 10 [21, 22], middle of the transmission line 1-6 and two IFCL for
which guarantees a quick convergence of the algorithm power sources (G.1 and G.2) as well. The 8-bus system
to the optimal solution. has a link to another network, modelled by a short
circuit power of 400 MVA. The transmission network
consists of 14 numerical DOCRs relays [14].
4.3 Movement
The movement of a firefly i, when attracted to
another more attractive (brighter) firefly j, is determined
by [22]:

 1
xi'  xi   (r )   xi  x j     rand   (11)
 2

Where, x’i is the firefly position of the next

generation. xi and xj are the current position of the
fireflies and x’i is the ith firefly position of the next
generation. The second term in equation 15 is due to
attraction. The third term introduces randomization,
with  being the randomization parameter and “rand” is
a random number generated uniformly but distributed
between 0 and 1. The convergence of the algorithm is
obtained when m ≥ n for any large number of fireflies
(m), where n is the number of local optima of an
optimization problem [21].
Fig. 4: Diagram of the 8-bus transmission study with IFCL

V. Case Study and Simylation Resultas 5.1 Impact IFCL on Fault Current
The proposed optimization algorithm is validated and Figure 5 presents the impact of IFCL on the fault
tested on IEEE 8 bus transmission test system that has current values. From this figure, it is well shown that
two power sources, seven lines and 14 relays. For each the IFCL reduces the fault current seen by the relays
case, the following three scenarios are considered: that confirms the main purpose of this device.

Copyright © 2014 MECS I.J. Intelligent Systems and Applications, 2014, 02, 44-53
 Application of Firefly Algorithm for 49
Optimal Directional Overcurrent Relays Coordination in the Presence of IFCL

Furthermore, we can observe also, that the placement

of the IFLC in the power system has a great influence
on its efficiency. The fault current is well reduced in SC
C compared with SC B. From these results, we can
conclude that the placement of the IFLC in the power
system must be chosen wisely.

Fig. 6: Convergence characteristic of FA for SC A

Table 1: Optimal relays coordination solution for SC A

(a) Control variables

IDMT Relay No.
TDS IP

1 0.1000 1.8307

2 0.2455 1.7843

3 0.2247 1.8407

4 0.2282 0.9286

5 0.1000 2.2071

6 0.1542 1.9299

7 0.2220 1.9113

(b) 8 0.3393 0.6784

Fig. 5: Fault current for all scenarios
9 0.2139 1.2261
a). Primary relays, b).Backup relays
10 0.1533 2.3653

5.2 Impact of IFCL on CTI 11 0.2344 1.1702

In order to show the impact of IFCL on the 12 0.3789 0.7010

directional overcurrent relays coordination, we use the
following relays setting presented in table 1. The 13 0.1075 1.8142
convergence characteristics of the FA for the scenarios
SC A (without IFCL) are depicted in figure 6. 14 0.3630 0.7889

Table 2 presents, the CTI with and without IFCL. f (sec) 7.7207
From this table we can see the relays are well
coordinated in scenario SC A. Unfortunately we remark
that the pairs of the overcurrent relays (5 and 4) are not From these results we can conclude that the
coordinated for the two scenarios SC B and SC C (as installation of IFCL in the power system has a great
shown in bold). impact of the CTI and thus a new setting of the relays is
required.

Copyright © 2014 MECS I.J. Intelligent Systems and Applications, 2014, 02, 44-53
50 Application of Firefly Algorithm for
Optimal Directional Overcurrent Relays Coordination in the Presence of IFCL

Table 2: Impact of IFCL on CTI value

Primary Backup CTI value (sec)

Relay Relay SC A SC B SC C
1 6 0.2001 0.2137 0.2393
2 1 0.2138 0.3241 0.6204
2 7 0.2060 0.2343 0.2913
3 2 0.2005 0.2204 0.2594
4 3 0.2000 0.2216 0.2634
5 4 0.2000 0.1960 0.1825
6 5 0.5971 0.7822 1.3188
6 14 0.5300 0.5548 0.5988
7 5 0.4049 0.5569 0.9847
7 13 0.6187 0.8493 1.5551
(b)
8 7 0.2068 0.2435 0.3164
Fig. 7: Convergence characteristics of the FA with IFCL.
8 9 0.2109 0.2505 0.3302 a). SC B, b). SC C.
9 10 0.2001 0.2497 0.3605
10 11 0.2004 0.2083 0.2215
Table 3: Optimal relays coordination solution for SC B
11 12 0.2101 0.2137 0.2189
12 13 0.2001 0.3283 0.6670 Control variables
IDMT Relay No.
12 14 0.2239 0.2435 0.2799
TDS IP
13 8 0.4085 0.4174 0.4304
14 1 0.3815 0.5798 1.1821 1 0.1000 1.6403

14 9 0.2002 0.2421 0.3267 2 0.2372 1.5395

3 0.1907 2.0280
5.3 Optimal New Setting and Coordination
4 0.1681 1.4742
To overcome the Lack of the CTI resulted by the
insertion of the IFCL in the power system, we propose 5 0.1000 1.8731
the formulation of this problem as a constrained mono-
objective problem and solve it using the FA. The 6 0.1445 1.9437
convergence characteristics of the method for the
scenarios SC B and SC C are depicted in figures 7.a and 7 0.2209 1.6985
7.b respectively. The new relays setting for two
8 0.1892 1.3738
scenarios SC B and SC C are presented in table 3 and 4
respectively. From this table, we can notice that the FA 9 0.3026 0.6438
provides different relays setting of each scenario.
10 0.1591 2.2950

11 0.2156 1.4324

12 0.5075 0.5877

13 0.1082 1.8887

14 0.2881 1.7714

f (sec) 7.8948

(a)

Copyright © 2014 MECS I.J. Intelligent Systems and Applications, 2014, 02, 44-53
 Application of Firefly Algorithm for 51
Optimal Directional Overcurrent Relays Coordination in the Presence of IFCL

Table 4: Optimal relays coordination solution for SC C VI. Conclusion

Control variables This paper presents an optimal setting and
IDMT Relay No.
TDS IP coordination of the overcurrent relays in the presence of
1 0.1000 1.2675 IFCL device. The obtained results show that this device
effectively reduces the fault current and therefore
2 0.1667 2.1464
protects the different power systems components. We
3 0.1712 1.8483 are concluding also, that the placement of the IFCL
4 0.1532 1.2595 devices in power system has a great impact on its
5 0.1000 1.2943 efficiency.
6 0.1288 1.8942 In term of relay coordination, it is well shown that the
7 0.1476 2.1755 IFCL engender a miss of coordination of the relays. To
8 0.1695 1.4703 overcome this technical problem, we propose the
9 0.2875 0.5038
formulation of this problem as a constrained mono-
objective optimization problem and solve it using the
10 0.1333 2.1839
firefly optimization algorithm. The new obtained
11 0.1972 1.1872 settings provide a well relays coordination in the
12 0.3299 1.2556 presence of IFLC devices.
13 0.1000 1.8821
14 0.2743 1.3448
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[22] X.S. Yang, Firefly Algorithm for Multimodal
Directional Overcurrent Relays in Meshed
Optimization, Stochastic Algorithms: Foundations
Networks using the Simplex Method, IEEE
and Applications, SAGA, Lecture Notes in
Mediterranean on Electrotechnical Conference
Computer Sciences, Springer, 2009, 5792:
(MELECON), Bari, Italy, 13-16 May, 1996.
169~178.
[11] P.P. Bedekar, S.R. Bhide & V.S. Kale, Optimum
[23] X.S. Yang, Firefly Algorithm, Stochastic Test
Time Coordination of Overcurrent Relays using
Functions and Design Optimisation, International
Two Phase Simplex Method, World Academy of
Journal of Bio-Inspired Computation (IJBIC),
Science, Engineering and Technology, 2009, 28:
2010, 2(2): 78~84.
1110~1114.
[24] A.H. Gandomi, X.S. Yang & A.H. Alavi, Mixed
[12] P.P. Bedekar & S.R. Bhide, Optimum
Variable Structural Optimization using Firefly
Coordination of Overcurrent Relay Timing using
Algorithm, Computers & Structures, 2011, 89(23-
Continuous Genetic Algorithm, Expert Systems
24): 2325~2336.
with Applications, Elsevier, 2011, 38:
11286~11292.
[13] J.A. Sueiro, E. Diaz-Dorado, E. Mí guez & J.
Cidrás, Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Authors’ Profiles
Relay using Evolutionary Algorithm and Linear Dr. Rabah Benabid was born in Jijel, Algeria, in 1977.
Programming, International Journal of Electrical Received his B. Sc. Degree (2001), his M.Sc. degree
Power and Energy Systems, 2012, 42: 299~305. (2007), and his Ph.D. degree (2012), all in Electrical
[14] T. Amraee, Coordination of Directional Engineering from University of Jijel, Algeria,
Overcurrent Relays Using Seeker Algorithm, IEEE University of Laghouat, Algeria, and University of
Transactions on Power Delivery, 2012, 27(3): Sciences & Technology Houari Boumediene
1415~1422. (U.S.T.H.B), Algiers, Algeria, respectively. His research
interests include: secondary voltage regulation,
[15] M. Singh, B.K. Panigrahi & A.R. Abhyankar, Application of evolutionary algorithms and intelligent
Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent methods in power systems, voltage stability analysis of
Relays using Teaching Learning-Based power system, optimal reactive power dispatch, FACTS
Optimization (TLBO) Algorithm, International devices modeling and control, power quality, and power
Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, system protection.
2013, 50: 33~41.
[16] N.K. Fall and B. Marchionini, Fault Current
Limiter - R&D Status and Testing Issues, Dr. Mohamed Zellagui was born in Constantine,
IEEE/PES Power Systems Conference and Algeria, 1984. He received the engineer (Honors with
Exposition, Seattle, 15-18 March 2009. first class) and M.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering
(Power System) from department of Electrical
[17] L. Sung-Hun, K. Jin-Seok, and K. Jae-Chul, Study Engineering at University of Constantine, Algeria in
on Correction of Protective Devices for 2007 and 2010 respectively. He is a PhD Student in
Application of a SFCL in a Power Distribution Power Systems from department of Electrical
System with a Dispersed Generation, IEEE Engineering at University of Batna, Algeria. Member
Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, 2013, LSP-IE research laboratory at Batna University, Algeria,
23(3): 1~8. During 2008-2013 he was a electrical engineering at
Algerian Company of Electrical and Gas (Group
[18] J.L. Rasolonjanahary, J. Sturgess, and E. Chong,
Sonelgaz), Constantine, Algeria. Membership at
Design and Construction of a Magnetic Fault
International Association of Engineers (IAENG), and
Current Limiter, UK Magnetics Society Meeting,
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Senior
Stamford - UK, 12 October 2005.
Member of Universal Association of Computer and
[19] G.A. Putrus, N. Jenkins, and C.B. Cooper, A Static Electronics Engineers (UACEE) and International
Fault Current Limiting and Interrupting Devices, Scientific Academy of Engineering & Technology

Copyright © 2014 MECS I.J. Intelligent Systems and Applications, 2014, 02, 44-53
 Application of Firefly Algorithm for 53
Optimal Directional Overcurrent Relays Coordination in the Presence of IFCL

(ISAET). Obtained the national award for best PhD

student (science and technology) in the year 2012. Her
research interests include power system protection,
distance protection, directional overcurrent relay,
optimization algorithm, renewable energy, and FACTS
devices.

Prof. Abdelaziz Chaghi was born in Batna, Algeria,

1954. He received his engineer degree from the
University of Oran, Algeria, in 1980, and M.Sc. from
the Manchester University, UK, in 1984, and received
his PhD from Batna University, Algeria 2004. He is
currently a Professor at department of electrical
engineering at University of Batna, Algeria. He is also
the responsible of the research team at LSP-IE research
laboratory, University of Batna. Pr. Chaghi has
published more than 50 papers in reputable international
journals and conferences. Pr. Chaghi research interests
include power systems optimization, power system
protection, renewable energy, harmonic and power
quality, voltage stability, and FACTS devices.

Prof. Mohamed Boudour received the B.Sc., M.Sc.

and the Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the
Polytechnic Institute of Algiers, Algeria in 1991, 1994
and 2004 respectively. Since January 1993, he has been
with the University of Sciences and Technology Houari
Boumediene (U.S.T.H.B) of Algiers, Algeria as a
teacher and researcher and a Fulbright Fellowship
during 2005-2006 in the University of Washington
(Seattle, USA). He is now an associate professor in
U.S.T.H.B. and the Director of the Industrial and
Electrical Systems Research Laboratory (LSEI) since
2007. Pr. Boudour is senior member of Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), USA, and
president of PES chapter in IEEE Algeria subsection.
His main interests are power systems stability, security
assessment, control, optimization, protection,
application of intelligent and metaheuristic in electrical
engineering.

Copyright © 2014 MECS I.J. Intelligent Systems and Applications, 2014, 02, 44-53

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