2014 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference - South Asia Satellite (GHTC-SAS) | September 26-27, 2014 | Trivandrum
Protection of Microgrid through Coordinated
Directional Over-current Relays
Ashwin Kumar Sahoo
EEE Department, SSN College of Engineering, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
Email: ashwinsahoo@ssn.edu.in
Abstract Microgrids integrate distributed energy resources to
provide reliable, environment friendly and economic power to
small/medium sized urban communities or to large rural areas.
Due to the existence of generators at all levels of the distribution
system and two distinct operating modes, i.e. grid connected and
islanded modes, the fault currents in a system vary substantially.
With appropriate relay coordination they gain the ability to
island generators and loads together. This has a potential to
provide a higher local reliability than that provided by the power
system as a whole. The protection scheme implemented addresses
the existing protection challenges encountered due to the
presence of both distributed generators and inverter interfaced
distributed generators in the same system. The proposed
protection scheme equipped with directional overcurrent relays
is tested using ETAP on a microgrid that consists of distributed
energy resources like photovoltaic arrays, wind, diesel generator
and micro hydro turbine for various fault locations.
KeywordsMicrogrid; Protection; PV source; wind energy;
over current relay; distributed energy source
I. INTRODUCTION
In order to decrease the impact of fossil fuel based
generation on the environment, the new vision is to generate
electricity from cleaner energy sources, closer to the
consumption areas [2]. Consequently, the power industry is
moving towards modern, small-scale versions of the
centralized electricity system called microgrids. Like the bulk
power grid, microgrids generate, distribute and regulate the
flow of electricity to consumers, but do so locally with
advanced monitoring, control and automation systems.
Microgrids consist of many distributed generators (DGs)
which are used to integrate renewable energy resources into
the main grid. They are capable of operating in grid connected
mode (connected to the main grid) and also in islanded mode
(disconnected from the main grid). The microgrid approach
focuses on creating a design and plan for local energy (both
electrical and thermal) delivery that meets the exact needs of
the constituents being served. At the local level, microgrids
most efficiently and economically integrate consumers and
buildings with electricity distribution and generation.
Coordination of numerous microsources is complex as it is
affected by weather conditions, resource availability and
demand [10]. The protection scheme used in a microgrid must
be functional for both grid connected and islanded modes of
978-1-4799-4097-4/14/$31.00 2014 IEEE
operation. Fault current levels for these two modes are
different. Faults also cause problems like overcurrents,
unintentional islanding and reduction in reach of impedance
relays. Depending upon the location of faults, problems like
bidirectional power flow and change in voltage profile occurs.
Additionally, inverter interfaced DGs contribute fault currents
of low magnitude that may go undetected by the protection
schemes [1].
The objective of this paper is to understand the various
issues concerned with the protection of microgrids and to
implement a suitable protection scheme using ETAP [5]. The
specific objectives are:
To model a microgrid system consisting of various
types of distributed generation sources in ETAP.
To use directional overcurrent relays for protection of
the modelled system.
To provide appropriate relay settings in order to
achieve effective relay coordination in the system.
The organization of the paper is as follows: Section II
deals with the basic concepts of microgrids. The advantages of
microgrids and its various protection issues have been
discussed in detail. The basic concepts of relay coordination,
time and current grading are dealt with in section III. The
outputs and results of the microgrid systems shown in section
IV are obtained after implementation of relay coordination in
ETAP. The coordination is achieved by setting the
characteristics of the relay. Finally, the main findings of the
paper are summarized in section V.
II. PROTECTION ISSUES IN MICROGRIDS
A fully-developed microgrid has the capability of
automatically disconnecting and operating independently from
the main grid. When the main grid is back online, the
microgrid will automatically reconnect, recharge energy
storage, and ramp down on-site generation as appropriate. In a
microgrid, most of the sources are connected through power
electronic converters. For example, DC power is generated by
using sources such as fuel cells, micro turbines, or
photovoltaic cells, converters are utilized to alter the DC
power into AC power etc.. These converters do not supply
sufficient currents to operate overcurrent based protective
devices in islanded mode because they have been designed to
limit the fault current. Therefore protecting a converter
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dominated microgrid is a challenging techhnical issue [11].
Some of the DGs connected to a microgrid are intermittent in
. .
nature (e.g., solar photovoltaic based DGs). Therefore
different fault current levels can be exxperienced in the
C. Time Setting
microgrid depending on the active DG connections.
c As a
result, implementation of protection schem mes based on fault
The operating time of the relay
r can be set to alter the time
current level will be further difficult [4,7,8].
at which the relay picks up.TMMS of an IDMT relay is given by
III. RELAY COORDINATIO
ON the ratio of Operating time to the
t time obtained from the relay
characteristic curve at TMS S=1 and the PSM at which
Relays are coordinated to operate accordding to the criteria maximum fault occurs. The TM MS can be varied from 0.1 to 1
of selection based on current or other parrameters so as to in steps of 0.1. Time multiplierr setting is also called Time Dial
ensure that the device closest to the fault operates
o first. The setting (TDS).
basic criteria that should be employed are a that the main
protection should clear a permanent or tempporary fault failing
1
which the backup protection operates and the t loss of supply
caused by permanent faults should be restriccted to the smallest
part of the system for the shortest tim me possible [6]. We determine the value of thee TMS by plotting a current Vs
Overcurrent protection schemes get initiatedd when the current time curve. This project impleements time as well as current
through the protective device (relay) exceedds a pre-set value. grading for setting the relay chaaracteristics [7].
Overcurrent relays are used for thee protection of
subtransmission and distribution lines, largge motors, power
equipment and industrial systems. An overcurrent relay is IV. RESULTS AND
A ANALYSIS
made to respond for faults in a particular direection by adding a
directional element to it [9].
A. Complex System-CESI
A. Time Current Characteristics

The time current characteristic curvees determine the

response of the relay for a given setting. There are various
types of time current characteristics available
a for the
directional overcurrent relay. Some of theem being definite
time, instantaneous, Inverse Definite Minimmum Time (IDMT)
etc.. This project incorporates IDMT typpe as it provides
improved selectivity. IDMT relays give invverse time current
characteristics at lower fault levels annd definite time
characteristics at higher fault levels. It is widely used for
protection of distribution lines.
B. Current Setting

The current above which the relay operrates is called the

pickup current. This current is calculated by b considering the
maximum load current flowing through thee element and the
minimum fault through it. The pickup valuee can be altered by
changing the number of turns of the current coil
c by means of a
plug. The plug setting can be given in termss of current setting
or in percentages of the rated current. For phhase to phase fault
protection, the overcurrent relay is set at 500% to 200% of the
rated current in steps of 25%. The usual cuurrent rating of the
relay is 1 or 5 Amps. In time current curvees current is taken
along the X-axis and Time is taken along thhe Y-axis. But this
results in multiple curves for each relays. ToT avoid this Plug
Setting Multiplier is taken along the X-aaxis. Plug Setting
Multiplier is expressed as a multiple of the pickup
p current and
the actual RMS current flowing through the relay.
r adopted in this system. Accorddingly relays and circuit breakers
Fig. 1. Schematic of a coomplex microgrid system
Fig. 1 shows the schematicc of a typical complex system -
CESI, an existing system implemented in Milan[2]. It is a test
system to evaluate the performmance of Distributed Generation
technology. The study charactterises the use of varied type of
Distributed generation and local
l control in the onset of
network disturbances and the performance evaluation during
islanded mode of operation. Thhe various types of sources that
are integrated in this microgrrid are synchronous generators,
photovoltaic source, wind ennergy, micro turbine, sterling
engine etc.. Directional overcuurrent relay protection scheme is
are positioned [3]. All the simmulation and relay coordination
are carried out in ETAP environment.

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 respectively. Relay1 acts in less than 61.2ms for a fault current
1) Load flow of 25.603kA, thereby tripping CB29 after a delay of 83.3ms.
The fault is cleared in 145m ms. Relay1 that is connected to
Bus1 acts within 0.03s, therebyy tripping CB29.

Fig. 2. Load flow analysis for the complexx system

Load flow is performed on this complex syystem to determine

the current drawn by the various loads pressent in the system.
The kVA contributions are also shown in Figg. 2.

B. Fault at the utility

Fig. 3 shows for a fault near the utilityy, the HVCB CB1 Fig. 5. TCC for fault insertion at the utility for the complex system
opens thereby disconnecting the utility and microgrid
m from the
C. Fault at the service end (at the generator)
fault. This results in islanded mode of operation of the
microgrid.

Fig.6. Fault at the service end generator

g for the complex system

Fig. 3. Fault insertion at the utility for the com

mplex system

Fig. 4. Sequence of operation for fault insertion at the utility

u for the complex
system

Sequence of operation and Time Current Currve(TCC) for fault Fig. 7. Sequence of operation for fauult at the service end generator for the
insertion at the utility side are shown in fig. 4 and fig. 5 complex system

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 Fig. 6 shows a three-phase to ground fauult near one of the
generators in the microgrid. In this case Relay17
R which is
closest to the fault detects the fault currennt first. Backup is
provided by Relay25 and the circuit breakerrs trip in sequence
as CB26, CB33 and CB5 as instructed by b the respective
relays. Sequence of operation and time curreent curve for fault
at the service end generator are shown in fig. 7 and fig. 8
respectively.

Fig. 9. Fault insertion at the servicce end load for the complex system

Fig. 10. Sequence of operation forr fault at the service end load for the
complex system

Fig. 8. TCC for fault at the service end generator for the complex system

Relay17 comes across the highest current of value

54.732kA and trips within 32.5ms. This corrrespondingly trips
CB26 and CB33 after a delay of 50ms. Initiial backup for this
relay is given by Relay25 within 36.9ms whhich would initiate
the tripping of CB5 and CB38. Secondary backup
b is provided
by Relay23, CB4 and CB39. The next sttage of backup is
carried out through Relay20, Relay22, CB20, C and CB21;
failing which Relay1, CB29 act to island thhe microgrid. The
least fault clearing time is 82.5ms. Withinn 0.0325s Relay17
trips, within 0.0369s Relay25 trips and so onn. Along the y-axis
the operating time for the relays increasees. The TCC for
Relay20 and Relay22 overlap because theey have the same
setting, similarly for Relay19 and Relay21, shown
s in fig. 8.
D. Fault at the load
Insertion of fault near Load2 (service endd), shown in fig. 9
causes the tripping of CB27, CB5 and CB388 corresponding to
primary protection, first backup protection and
a second backup
protection respectively. The highest curreent of magnitude
56.104kA flows through Relay18 thereby tripping it within
32.5ms. This correspondingly trips CB27 after a delay of
50ms. Initial backup for this relay is given by
b Relay25 within
Fig. 11. TCC for fault at the servicce end load for the complex system
36.9ms which would initiate the tripping of CB5
C and CB38.

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Secondary backup is provided by Relay23, CB4 and CB39.
The next stage of backup is carried out through Relay20,
Relay22, CB20, and CB21; failing which Reelay1, CB29 act to
island the microgrid. Fault is cleared at the eaarliest in 82.5ms.

Sequence of operation and time currentt curve for fault at

the service end generator are shown in figg. 10 and fig. 11
respectively. Relay18 picks up first within 0.0325s followed
by Relay25 within 0.0369s and so on. As we w move along the
y-axis the operating time for the relays increases. The TCC for
Relay20 and Relay22 overlap because theey have the same
setting, similarly for Relay19 and Relay21.

E. Fault between the feeders

Insertion of fault between the buses, shown in fig. 12

causes the tripping of CB5 and CB38 corresponding to
primary protection and CB4 for backup proteection.

Fig. 14. TCC for fault between thhe feeders for the complex system

The highest current of maggnitude 48.829kA flows through

Fig. 12. Fault insertion between the feeders for thee complex system
Sequence of operation and time current currve for fault at the
service end generator are shown in fig. 13 and fig. 14
respectively.
Relay25 thereby tripping it within 36.9ms. This
correspondingly trips CB5 andd CB38 after a delay of 50ms.
Initial backup for this relay is given
g by Relay23 within 41.5ms
which would initiate the trippinng of CB4and CB39. Secondary
backup is provided by Relay220 and Relay22 which triggers
CB20 and CB21; failing whichh Relay1, CB29 act to island the
microgrid. Fault is cleared at the
t earliest in 86.9ms. Relay25
picks up first within 0.0369ss followed by Relay23 within
0.0415s and so on. As we movve along the y-axis the operating
time for the relays increasess. The TCC for Relay20 and
Relay22 overlap because they have the same setting, similarly
for Relay19 and Relay21.
F. Fault at inverter interfacedd DG

Fig. 13. Sequence of operation for fault between the feeders for the complex
system Fig. 15. Fault insertion at thee IIDG for the complex system

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 Insertion of fault at inverter interfaced DG (PV2) shown
in fig. 15 causes the tripping of CB11 and CB44
corresponding to primary protection and CB20 for backup
protection. Sequence of operation and time current curve for
fault at the service end generator are shown in fig. 16 and fig.
17 respectively.
Fig. 16. Sequence of operation for fault at the Inverter Interface DG for the
complex system
Fig. 17. TCC for fault at the Inverter Interface DG for the complex system
Relay17 comes across the highest current of value
56.104kA and trips within 28.2ms. This correspondingly trips
CB11 and CB44 after a delay of 50ms. Initial backup for this
relay is given by Relay20 and Relay22 within 62.2ms which
would initiate the tripping of CB20 and CB21 respectively;
failing which Relay1, CB29 act to island the microgrid. The
least fault clearing time is 78.2ms. Relay8 picks up first within
0.0282s followed by Relay20 within 0.0622s and so on. As we
move along the y-axis the operating time for the relays
increases. The TCC for Relay20 and Relay22 overlap because
they have the same setting, similarly for Relay19 and Relay21.
V. CONCLUSION
A practical test system was modelled using ETAP with
suitable settings for the relays. An extensive procedure was
carried out to ascertain optimal coordination of relays in the
protection scheme implemented. Case studies were performed
to test the effective functioning of the scheme in various
instances where faults are likely to occur. Also, special
emphasis was given to ensure that for a particular faulty
condition, minimum number of relays respond with minimum
possible fault clearance time. Appropriate back-up protection
was designed to provide a second line of defence such that
suitable time delay is given to warrant that simultaneous
tripping of relays do not arise in overlapping protection zones.
The simulation outcome also validates the protection scheme
for DGs involving inverter interfaces.
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