Optimal overcurrent relay coordination in wind farm using genetic algorithm

Wind farms are ones of the most indispensable types of sustainable energies which are progressively engaged in smart grids with tenacity of electrical power generation predominantly as a distribution generation system. Thus, rigorous protection of wind power plants is an immensely momentous aspect in electrical power protection engineering which must be contemplated thoroughly during designing the wind plants to afford a proper protection for power components in case of fault occurrence. The most commodious protection apparatus are overcurrent relays (OCRs) which are responsible for protecting power systems from impending faults. In order to employ a prosperous and proper protection for wind farms, these relays must be set precisely and well-coordinated with each other to clear the faults at the system in the shortest possible time. These relays are set and coordinated with each other by applying IEEE or IEC standards methods, however, their operation times are relatively long and the coordination between these relays are not optimal. The other common problem in these power systems is when a fault occurs in a plant, several OCRs operate instead of a designated relay to that particular fault location. This, if undesirable can result in unnecessary power loss and disconnection of healthy feeders out of the plant which is extremely dire. It is necessary to address the problems related inefficient coordination of OCRs. Many suggestions have been made and approaches implemented, however one of the most prominent methods is the use of Genetic Algorithm (GA) to improve the function and coordination of OCRs. GA optimization technique was implemented in this project due to its ample advantages over other AI techniques including proving high accuracy, fast response and most importantly obtaining optimal solutions for nonlinear characteristics of OCRs. In addressing the mentioned problems, the main objective of this research is to improve the protection of wind farms by optimizing the relay settings, reducing their operation time, Time Setting Multiplier (TSM) of each relay, improving the coordination between relays after implementation of IEC 60255-151:2009 standard. The most recent and successful OF for GA technique has been used, unique parameters for GA was selected for this research to significantly improve the protection for wind farms that is highly better compared to any research accomplished before for the purpose of wind farm protection. GA was used to obtain improved values for each relay settings based on their coordination criteria. Each relay operation time and TSM are optimized which would contribute to provide a better protection for wind farm. Thus, the objective of this work which is improving the protection of wind farms by optimizing the relay settings, reducing their operation time, Time Setting Multiplier (TSM) of each relay, improving the coordination between relays, have been successfully fulfilled and solved the problems associated with wind farm relay protection system settings. The new approach has shown significant improvement in operation of OCRs at the wind farm, have drastically reduced the accumulative operation time of the relays by 26.8735% (3.7623 seconds).

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