A fault detection and location algorithm for the LVDC interconnection network in rural area

Liu, Chengwei and Rodriguez-Bernuz, Joan Marc and Liu, Di and Yang, Saizhao and Li, Yitong and Hong, Qiteng and Junyent-Ferré, Adrià (2024) A fault detection and location algorithm for the LVDC interconnection network in rural area. IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution. ISSN 1751-8695 (https://doi.org/10.1049/gtd2.13293)

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Abstract

Low voltage DC (LVDC) microgrids (MGs) can be linked together through an interconnection network to enhance the utilization of their energy resources in remote locations, particularly in rural low-income areas. However, the identification of the fault is challenging due to the fast fault transients and equipment limitations, where there are no sensors and DC circuit breakers (DCCBs) in the lines. To solve this problem, this article proposes a fault detection and location algorithm without requiring extra sensors and DCCBs in lines. The proposed algorithm uses the sensors of the interface converters to detect the fault. Following this, a coordinated current injection method is used to identify the faulty element by coordinating converters with disconnectors. This process employs two strategies “weight check” and “scope check” to minimize the time and the number of actions. The algorithm is robust to various fault impedance, fault types and network topology modifications. The effectiveness of the algorithm is validated through a series of simulation case studies.

ORCID iDs

Liu, Chengwei, Rodriguez-Bernuz, Joan Marc, Liu, Di ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1180-5248, Yang, Saizhao, Li, Yitong, Hong, Qiteng ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9122-1981 and Junyent-Ferré, Adrià;
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