Research status of microgrid relay protection

Can a microgrid provide a fault analysis for different relay types?

This paper presents such analysis for different relay types by considering various fault and generation conditions in a microgrid. Time-domain simulations are used to identify the scenarios where the relays function correctly as well as the problematic conditions, on which future research should focus.

Do microgrid relays perform well in macrogrids?

Although years of operation in macrogrids support these relays, their performance for microgrids is yet to be analyzed. This paper presents such analysis for different relay types by considering various fault and generation conditions in a microgrid.

Can a single setting relay protect microgrids operating in dual mode?

In addition, single setting traditional over current relays will not be able to protect the microgrids operating in dual mode because there is signification variation in the short circuit current value in both the modes (i.e., islanded and grid-tied mode) [, , ].

What are the barriers to implementing a dc microgrid?

Although many efforts have been made to develop standards to facilitate implementation of DC microgrid, there is still a lack of practical standardisation on grounding systems for different voltage levels, cyber-security, and protection system. Proper protection of AC and DC microgrids is one of the last barriers for implementing microgrids.

How reliable is microgrid protection?

As a result, the existing options for reliable microgrid protection remain effectively the subtransmission and transmission system protective devices, e.g., directional overcurrent, distance, and differential relays. Although years of operation in macrogrids support these relays, their performance for microgrids is yet to be analyzed.

Can distribution protective devices protect microgrids?

Distribution protective devices cannot reliably protect microgrids due to the variable and often limited short-circuit capacities of microgrids. Moreover, the research on microgrid protection has not led to a commercially available microgrid relay to date and has little prospect of reaching that level in the near future.