Modular protection system for fault detection and selective fault clearing in DC microgrids

• Published in: Journal of engineering (Stevenage, England) Vol. 2018; no. 15; pp. 1321 - 1325
• Main Authors: Klosinski, Christoph, Ross, Patrick, Hemdan, Nasser, Kurrat, Michael, Gerdinand, Frank, Meisner, Johann, Passon, Stephan, Heinrich, Alexander
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Institution of Engineering and Technology 01.10.2018
• Subjects: 24 V DC test setup; DC power transmission; DC radial microgrids; DC system; distributed power generation; fault detection; fault detection criteria; fault diagnosis; fault location; intelligent modular DC switches; localisation criteria; modular protection system; modular switchgears; power distribution faults; power system protection; protection concept; protective measures; realised protection system; selective fault clearing; switchgear; The 14th International Conference on Developments in Power System Protection (DPSP 2018); intelligent modular DC switches; fault diagnosis; power system protection; 24 V DC test setup; fault detection criteria; fault location; fault detection; protective measures; power distribution faults; distributed power generation; localisation criteria; DC system; modular protection system; protection concept; modular switchgears; switchgear; realised protection system; DC radial microgrids; selective fault clearing; DC power transmission
• ISSN: 2051-3305; 2051-3305
• DOI: 10.1049/joe.2018.0193

A modular protection system was developed for DC radial microgrids. The novelty of the realised protection system is based on the combination of different fault detection, characterisation and localisation criteria. The protection system was developed based on real-time monitoring of voltages and currents at different positions within smart modular switches in the DC system. Intelligent modular DC switches were developed for the setup. On the basis of fault detection criteria, protective measures are initiated and appropriate switching signals are sent to the appropriate switches in order to isolate the faulty part. Different fault locations and types have been tested in the laboratory for a 24 V DC test setup. Hence, the selectivity of the new protection concept has been verified.