Protection Coordination Study of a Grid Connected Solar PV Plant
Sachidananda Prasad
Abstract:
Distributed generation is playing an increasingly vital role in supporting utility
grids by balancing power demand and maintaining power quality. The primary
contributors to distributed generation are renewable energy resources such as
wind and photovoltaics (PV). However, the growing penetration of these
intermittent resources poses technical challenges, including issues related to
power quality and protection coordination. This paper focuses on the challenges
of protection coordination arising from higher levels of renewable energy
penetration into the power grid. A detailed model of the solar PV plant and its
connection to the grid which includes all relevant components such as inverters,
transformers, and interconnecting lines has been considered in this paper. A
practical case study has been considered to study the impact of intermittent
resources such as solar PV system interconnected to the power grid on relay
protection for ensuring the reliability and safety of power systems. Simulations
are performed at various PV penetration levels using E-TAP software to assess
the effects on relay coordination by introducing faults at different locations within
the distribution network.
1. Introduction:
The modern power system is indeed becoming increasingly complex and
dynamic in nature due to the large-scale integration of renewable energy
resources. This transformation introduces several challenges and opportunities,
reshaping how the power system is designed, operated, and protected. The
increasingly integration of renewable energy resources directly impacting the
protection coordination system of a power system. This will disrupt the existing
protection coordination which needs to be taken case for reliable operation of
power system. To maintain the smooth and reliable operation of relays and circuit
breakers appropriate settings must be placed. All relays and breakers must work
in a coordinated manner to protect the unhealthy part of the power network
without disturbing the healthy section of the network. The basic operating
principle states that the primary protection relay must operate to isolate the fault.
If it fails to operate then the backup protection shall be operated to isolate the
faulty section of the network from the healthy part.
The integration of an increasing number of Distributed Generations (DGs) into the
utility grid presents several challenges that necessitate the development of new
and more rigorous standards. These challenges primarily revolve around power
quality, safe operation, and islanding protection. This article primarily focuses
protection coordination studies of a PV grid-connected system in the event of an
unintentional fault. This study has shown that higher penetration level of the PV
grid-connected systems results in higher fault current which unavoidably has
effects on the protective devices. This observation introduces the possibility of
selecting and/or upgrading protective devices in a distribution system.
1.1 What is Protection Coordination
Protection coordination refers to the strategic design and management of
protective devices like circuit breakers, relays, and fuses in electrical systems to
ensure that faults or abnormal conditions are detected in an electrical power
system and isolated effectively, without causing unnecessary disruption to the
healthy part of the system. The primary goal is to isolate only the faulted part of
the system, allowing the rest of the system to continue operating normally.
1.2 Importance of Protection Coordination in Solar PV Plants
Protection coordination in solar photovoltaic (PV) plants is critical for ensuring the
safety, reliability, and efficiency of the power system. The importance of
protection coordination in solar PV plant is summarized as follows:
To reduce the risk of fire, equipment damage, and hazards to personnel.
By coordinating the protection devices, only the faulted section of the plant
is disconnected, while the rest of the system continues to operate
normally.
It helps in minimizing the impact of electrical faults on equipment like
inverters, transformers, and switchgear. This extends the life of the
equipment and reduces maintenance costs.
It ensures the stability and reliability of the grid to which it is integrated.
2. Methodology and Basis for Protection Coordination
Protection coordination in solar PV plants involves a systematic approach to
ensure that protection devices operate in a manner that minimizes disruption
while maximizing safety and equipment protection. The methodology and basis
for protection coordination typically involve several key steps:
System Study and Data Collection
Selection of Protection Devices
Protection Scheme Design
Coordination Studies
Simulation and Validation
Implementation and Commissioning
Using the network basis primary and backup relays are recognized, which should
account both directional, non-directional relays, fuses and release in subsequent
feeders. For Unit protection for equipment’s such as Transformers, elements are
selected based on their ratings. All unit protections are the primary protection.
Primary side of the transformer is also provided with the backup protection of the
secondary side of the transformer. All the fault currents are simulated and
determined from Short circuit results.
2.1 Important terms used for relay setting
In this section the important terms used for relay protection study are described
as follows:
2.2 .1 Pick Up current
The minimum operating current for which the relay initiates its operation is called
pick up current of relay.
2.1.2 Plug setting multiplier (PSM)
Plug setting multiplier of relay is referred as ratio of fault current in the relay to its
pick up current.
Fault current in relay coil
PSM =
Pick up current
Fault current in relay coil
=
Rated CT secondary current x Current setting
2.1.3 Time/PSM Curve
For a relay, a curve showing relation between time and plug-setting multiplier is
provided which is called time/P.S.M. curve. A typical curve for a relay is shown in
the Figure 2-1.
Figure 2-1: Time/PSM Curve
2.1.4 Time setting multiplier (TSM)
It is related to the operating time of the relay during faults. It is calculated as
follows:
Top = To + Td
Where,
Top = Desired operating time in second.
To = Downstream relay/release tripping time in second.
Td = Discrimination in time in second.
Desired relay operating time (Top)
Desired TMS Setting =
Relay operating time at TMS=1.0
Standard IDMT Curve for calculating trip time is calculated using below formula:
(( ) )
β
t=TMS
I α
−1
Is
Where,
Is = Pick up current setting in relay.
I = Fault current.
t = Trip time of relay at TMS=1.
α and β are the curve constant and selected as per Table 2-1.
Table 2-1: IEC 60255 Equation Constants
Curve type β α
IEC standard inverse (SI) curve 0.140 0.020
IEC very inverse (VI) curve 13.5 1
Curve type β α
IEC extremely inverse (EI) curve 80 2
IEC long time standard inverse curve 120 1
2.2 Protection Device Coordination:
Review the settings of all protective devices to ensure they operate in the
correct sequence.
Adjust settings to ensure that the device closest to the fault operates first,
minimizing the impact on the rest of the system.
Consider time-current characteristics (TCC) curves to coordinate overcurrent
protection devices.
3 Practical Case Study and Simulation Results
A practical case study has been considered to demonstrate the protection
scheme of a grid integrated solar PV plant. The joint venture between Belelectric
Gulf Limited and CTM Batiment (JV) plans to construct a photovoltaic power plant
with a nominal capacity of 12MWp, named ZOUERATE PV plant in Mauritania.
The solar power plant is connected to the 33kV private distribution network of
SNIM (National Company of Industrial and Mining Distribution Network). The
results herein presents the design basis considered for the grid integrated solar
PV plant in protection coordination study using Electrical Transient Analyser
Program (ETAP) software that is considered to be a globally acceptable tool for
electrical power system studies. The single line diagram of the grid connected
solar PV plant is shown in Figure-1.
Present relay settings review has been carried out considering a minimum time
interval as specified in Table-3-1, which is in line with IEEE 242 Table 15-3 and
industry practise. The Protection coordination time interval has been considered
at the minimum fault current values, which in turn ensure better coordination at
maximum fault level as well.
Plant electrical system implies two different paths to ensure complete
coordination of overcurrent protection provided in this system. The overcurrent
coordination calculations are shown for longest path as mentioned below. This
path is the longest and worst case to decide the overcurrent settings. Figure 2 to
11, shows the TCC curve of path-1 for various protecting devices mentioned in
the single line diagram.
Path 1:
0.8kV PTR-1_INV_BUS_1 (PTR01-BRCA01_CB1) 0.8kV PTR01-BRCA01 (PTR01-
BRCA01_OG_ACB) 33kV PTR-1 (33kV PTR-1_R) 33kV DELIVERY STATION-B (33kV
DELIVERY_PNA04_R) 33kV DELIVERY STATION-A (33kV DELIVERY_PNA03_R) 33kV
ZOURETATE SS_POI (33kV ZOURETATE_R).
Conclusion
This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of relay protection studies of a
grid connected solar PV plant. The methodology for protection coordination in
solar PV plants is a comprehensive process that ensures the safety, reliability,
and efficiency of the system. A well-coordinated protection scheme has been
designed and implemented for 12MWp grid connected solar PV plant, providing
effective fault management while minimizing the impact on the plant’s operation.
