Optimal Directional Relay Placement in Microgrids Considering

Coordination Constraints

Bahare Salehi Mahdi Tadayon Hamid Reza Karshenas

Department of Electrical and Distribution Network Department of Electrical and
Computer Engineering Department Computer Engineering
Isfahan University of Technology Behrad Consulting Engineers Isfahan University of Technology
Isfahan, Iran Isfahan, Iran Isfahan, Iran
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Abstract: — This paper is concerned with the optimal recompense for electric distribution companies, which
placement of protection devices in a microgrid (MG) using persuades them to seek methods to reduce power outages.
genetic algorithms. The occurrence of power outages in
For instance, optimized placement of devices such as
distribution networks is higher than that of other parts of
the grid. This phenomenon may impose substantial damage monitoring and protective equipment and remote
on customers with sensitive loads. The new concepts of controllable breakers can enhance system operation and
distributed generation (DG) and microgrid (MG) in modern improve reliability and power quality indices of the
distribution systems can reduce the number of outages and system [2]. This optimization, however, is considered a
associated damages by supplying a feeder from multiple very difficult task because it is a combinatorial
sources. However, microgrids and distribution networks constrained problem described by a nonlinear and
with DG require significant effort for the coordination of
DGs and their protection devices. Therefore, the placement
nondifferential objective function [3].
of protective equipment in order to limit the scope of the Using distributed generation (DG) to improve system
fault is one of the important issues which power engineers reliability is a known concept these days. An important
face. Adding DGs to a distribution system creates different aspect of distribution networks with DG is that the power
sets of operating conditions such as reverse power flow and flow can be bidirectional and thus the traditional
increased fault levels. In this paper, using the graph theory, protection strategies should be properly modified in order
various branches of a feeder are identified and the
to rectify the operation of protective equipment. In other
constraints for using genetic algorithm to optimize the
location of protective equipment are derived. In the words, a branch on which the fault has occurred may be
proposed algorithm, the location, type and direction of fed from two sides and protective equipment should be
relays are optimized simultaneously. The results of able to cover such faults completely [4]. Consequently,
implementing the proposed approach on a 33-bus test relay placement in distribution systems with DG is
network confirm the performance and accuracy of this always a challenge.
method.
One of the most important stages of relay placement is
its coordination with other relays in the grid. Based on
Keywords: Microgrid, Genetic Algorithm, Protection
factors such as short circuit level, the type of relay and
Coordination, Graph theory.
the type of circuit breakers, the number of series relays
I. INTRODUCTION which can be coordinated is limited. By series relays, we
Power outages (also known as interruptions and mean those relays that can see the same faults occurred at
blackouts) are one of the most damaging power quality the end of each branch. Identifying series relays seen by
problems if properly is not taken care of. The amount of each source needs special algorithms.
damage depends on the number and duration of outages The fault current seen by a particular relay in forward
and the sensitivity of customer loads. High-tech direction (i.e. when a fault occurs downstream to the
industries, hospitals and information technology (IT) relay) is much higher than that of seen in the reverse
sectors are usually affected more than others and are direction. Therefore the relays must have the ability to
more likely to suffer from such losses. In some countries distinguish between forward and reverse fault currents
such losses are being reimbursed after an assessment of [4]. In other words, it necessitates different relay settings
clients' contracts and duration and numbers of imposed in forward and reverse directions. Therefore directional
outages [1]. overcurrent relays are proposed to isolate the faulted
The reimbursement of such damages, in addition to sections.
significant loss of sales, results in considerable

978-1-4673-5634-3/13/$31.00 ©2013 IEEE

 Preliminary studies have already shown that Graph In the situations where the fault current does not
theory can simplify the representation of switching significantly vary relative to fault location, i.e. the
procedures in a complex power system [5]. This method impedance between the relay and the power source is
is also used in this paper in order to identify series relays. large; the advantages of IDMT characteristics are not
In doing so, all directions and sources are considered to fully utilized. In such cases, definite time overcurrent
find the candidate locations for various series protection is applied. The operating time can be constant
configurations. irrespective of the magnitude of the fault current [10].
Some papers have proposed the multi-objective Every primary protection needs a backup for
optimization for design problems of power distribution guaranteeing a dependable protective system. The two
system protection planning. Reference [6] has proposed a protective schemes should be coordinated together, i.e. a
Genetic Algorithm for finding optimal location of predefined coordination time interval (CTI) should
Recloses on the feeder equipped with power constrained collapse before the backup scheme comes into action.
DGs. In [7], risk analysis is used to optimize the location This CTI depends on the type of the relays
of circuit breakers on the distribution feeders. In [9], the (electromechanical or microprocessor based), speed of
reactive tabu search algorithm is proposed to optimally the circuit breakers and other system parameters.
place both control and protective devices in the same Typically, the CTI used for electromechanical relays is
optimization process on radial distribution feeders. 0.3 to 0.4 s, while a CTI in the order of 0.1 to 0.2 s is
In this paper, Graph Theory and Genetic Algorithm are used in the case of microprocessor based protective relays
used to optimize the location, type and direction of relays [11]. In summary, protection coordination between
in a microgrid and distribution network with DG. The primary and backup relays can be described by
objective function used in this optimization is energy not
supplied (ENS) and the constraints are based on relays (2)
coordination and islanding operation of distributed
generations. The results of implementing the proposed
where
approach on a 33 bus test network are described and
Tbackup : operating time of the backup relay
discussed.
Tprimary : operating time of the primary relay
II. MATHEMATICAL FORMULATION Therefore if the time delay for the circuit breaker at the
Mathematical formulation consists of optimization beginning of the line is set at 0.5 second, we can
constraints and defining objective function. coordinate 5 series relays in the best condition. We
should coordinate series relays for best performance and
A. Optimization constraints reduce energy not supplied.
Based on this fact, a new constraint for optimal
Relays coordination and islanding operation in the protection device placement is developed and formulated
optimized plan are considered as optimization constraints. by
• Relays coordination
When a fault occurs, it should be cleared as fast as i=1,2,…,n (3)
possible with minimal affected area in the rest of system.
In addition, time coordination among protective devices where
are also essential. Primary devices, which are close to the : Number of series relays in each branch of graph
fault location, should take action before backup devices n: Number of branch in the graph
which are located farther. The direction in which the fault : Maximum number of relays that can be
occurs is detected by measuring the direction of current coordinated together
flow, which can be recognized by the phase displacement
between the current and voltage. • Islanding operation conditions
The inverse definite minimum time (IDMT)
One of the technical issues to be solved in an islanded
characteristics defined by:
zone of distribution network is generation and load
balancing. The fluctuations in both these quantities
depend on customer needs and the type of generation.
(1) Demand side management (DSM) is a well-established
1 technique to control the levels of electricity consumption,
both in island and grid-connected networks [12]. DSM
where:
has been used for controlling network operators to
t = operating time for constant current I (seconds),
maintain power system frequency and voltage and
I = energizing current (amps),
stability in the islanded zone. For each islanded zone, this
Is = overcurrent setting (amps),
constraint is formulated as
TMS = time multiplier setting,
k, a, c = constants of defining curve.
 various operators on some of genes in each generation.
(4) Fig. 2 demonstrates the proposeed algorithm.
The objective function is caalculated for each of these
chromosomes, and the best of them is determined. If the
where conditions are met, the algoriithm terminates; otherwise
n: Number of loads in each zone the genetic operators are appplied again and the next
: Loads in each zone generation is created. Genetic operators are described as
: Distributed Generator capacity inn each zone follows:
These constraints have been checkeed for each source B. Selection
including main source and DGs. This function transfers bestt chromosomes from each
Objective function generation into the next. The number of chromosomes
In this paper, minimizing ENS is the objective that are selected is proportionnal to the total number of
function which is defined as chromosomes.

(5)

where
NIL: Number of isolated load points due to
contingency j;
NC: Number of contingencies;
Lkj: Curtailed load at load point due to
t contingency j;
rj :Average outage time due to continngency j;
λj :Average failure rate of contingenccy j;
III. PROPOSED METTHOD
The proposed algorithm was impllemented using a
hybrid MATLAB-DIgSILENT code utilizing
DIgSILENT Programing Language (D DPL) feature. This
combination of DPL and MATLAB has h been used for
writing scripts to use advantages of DIIgSILENT in load
flow and reliability calculations and ease of Genetic
Algorithm and Graph Theory coding in MATLAB.
In order to reduce the complexity and run-time, the
possible locations for placing protectiive equipment are
first refined by an expert to find best caandidate locations.
Consequently, by forming approppriate trees, the
impossible combinations for the coordination of
protective equipment are determined ussing Graph-theory.
These combinations have been defineed based on short
circuit levels and the length of lines annd will be checked
continuously throughout the execution of o the algorithm.
The method used for eliminaating impossible
candidates of the trees is illustratedd in Fig 1. This
algorithm is implemented using a self-calling subroutine.
The next step is to find the best locaation for protective
equipment using genetic algorithm. In this t regard, a gene
in each chromosome signifies a candidaate location. Genes
can pick up integer values 0, 1, 2 or 3. 3 “0” is used for
candidate locations that is not selectedd for placement of
protective equipment, “1, 2 and 3” are usedu for candidate
locations that are selected for placem ment of protective
equipment as a forward relay, reverse relay and both of
them respectively. These chromosomees are filtered by
graph theory output to satisfy the coorddination constraint. Figure 1. Flowchart of series relays determination
To produce a new generation, this algorithm applies
 C. Perturbation Test network specificatioons corresponding to 8
This function makes a small changee in a near perfect conditions are considered in thhis paper. These conditions
chromosome. In other words, it's a muutation with a very are shown by letters A to H in Table 2. The optimal
low probability [13]. locations of nondirectional or forward-reverse relays for
each condition is named by nuumber and shown in Table
3. If a DG is connected in this test network, relays
between DG and main sourcee will sense different short
circuit currents for downstreeam and upstream faults.
Therefore directional relays aree placed in these candidate
Figure 2. Perturbation operaator locations.

D. Mutation
This function changes the genes in a chromosome. The
number of mutated points and thee probability for
mutation are flexible. If the number off mutated genes is
high versus to total number of geness, each generation
inherits fewer properties from their prrevious generation
and instead more chromosomes are being b studied. To
increase the speed of this method, The T number of
mutated points and the probability for mutation are
reduced as it approaches to the stoppingg criterion [13].

Figure 3. Mutation operatoor

E. Crossover
This function operates on two chromosomes
c and
randomly exchanges some of their genes.g The result
chromosomes inherit most of their parennt's qualities.

Figure 4. Crossover operatoor

IV. RESULTS AND DISC

CUSSIONS
The proposed algorithm has been tessted on several real
distribution networks in Iran. In this papper, the 33Bus test
network[14] is used to demonstrate and verify the optimal
locations of protective equipment. In this system, one DG
has been considered in several conditioons and reliability
data such as failure rate and repair duuration are defined
equally for all contingencies on the linees. Failure rate is 1
for each kilometre in one year and the t corresponding
repair duration is 10 hours. The test neetwork along with
the name of nodes and branches aree shown in Fig6.
Several conditions are considered foor evaluating the
performance of proposed algorithm andd the effect of load
priorities and distributed generation on the optimal Figure 5. Flowchart of proposed algorithm
locations, types and directions of relays.
 TABLE I. STUDIED CONDITIONS locations for expanding the islanded zone of DG. The
Description
probability of fault in the expanded zone will be
increased and the positive effect of DG decreased. As can
Condition

Location of Capacity be seen, if the priority of loads is considered in the

Loads importance
DG of DG optimal protection device placement, optimal locations
will be changed to decrease the outages in the important
A All equal Busbar 12 0 customers’ zone by allocating relays near to these
B All equal Busbar 12 1 customers in the upstream and downstream of the feeder.
C All equal Busbar 12 2 main

D All equal Busbar 12 3

01

Importance of Load

19

20

21

22
001
E 15 is 10 times more Busbar 12 1
02
018 019 020 021
than others

002

23

24

25
F All equal Busbar 6 3 03
022 023 024

003
G All equal Busbar 6 2
04

Importance of Load

004
H 13 is 10 times more Busbar 12 1 05

27
than others

26

28

29

30

31

32

33
005
06
025 026 027 028 029 030 031 032

The optimal location of relays in each condition is

006

tested on other conditions and ENS has been calculated 07

and presented in Table 3. These results in a 3D view have

007

been shown in Fig 7. 08

008

TABLE II. RESULTS OF OPTIMAL PLACEMENT OF RELAYS 09

009
arrangement
Number of

Condition

10

Number of lines on which relays are installed

010

11
011

13

14

15

16

17

18
12
1 3 6 8 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 30 A,G 012 013 014 015 016 017

2 3 7 11 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 30 B,E

3 3 6 11 18 20 21 22 23 24 27 31 C,D Figure 6. 33Bus test network

4 5 6 8 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 30 F

5 7 11 14 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 28 31 H

TABLE III. ENS IN EACH CONDITION FOR OPTIMUM PLANS

Condition ENS for different number of arrangement

1 2 3 4 5
A 365.40 370.94 388.94 392.15 411.01
B 351.87 311.93 358.64 378.99 334.93
C 320.42 311.93 306.22 368.50 334.93
D 276.83 268.34 262.63 288.34 334.93
E 351.87 311.93 358.64 378.99 334.93
F 321.45 327.30 344.90 311.99 411.01
Figure 7. ENS in each condition for optimum plans
G 365.04 370.94 388.49 392.15 411.01
H 351.87 311.93 358.64 378.99 334.93 Figure 8 shows the normalized load points
corresponding to energy not supplied (NLPENS) for
By comparing the results of B to D conditions, the several load points. The normalization is performed based
effect of DG’s capacity can be observed. Increasing in the on the results of condition A. By comparing these results,
size of DG leads to a small displacement in relays it can be seen that primary branches are not affected by
DG’s locations, because relays on thesee branches are not of other directional relays betw
ween the main source and
displaced and these branches are not islanded in each DG.
outage. Also we find that NLPEN NS of important
customer is decreased by optimizing rellay’s locations. 5. Conclusion

30
This paper presents a methhod for optimal placement
and coordination of protectivee equipment in distribution
29 H F networks with distributed geneeration. It was shown how
to identify the branches of the network with series relays
and to find the tentative locatioons for them. The proposed
25
D B algorithm in this paper use a Graph Theory based
algorithm for this purpose and a robust Genetic
20
Algorithm with dynamic muutation for optimizing the
type, direction and location of relays. The criteria used
12
for optimization is the energyy not supplied (ENS). The
results on a test network shhows that load priorities,
11
location and direction of relaays between sources have
impact effect on ENS.
6
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