BEHAVIOUR OF PROTECTION FUNCTIONS UNDER HIGH PENETRATION OF RENEWABLES - SIMULATION MODEL DEVELOPED BY R&D NESTER
R&D Nester project "Prot4hiRES - Analysis of the impact of the high penetration of renewable sources on the performance of protection systems for transmission grids" studies the potential negative impact of the high penetration of renewable sources in transmission grids on the performance of protection systems for these infrastructures, as these protections have been designed for grids supplied by conventional power stations, where synchronous generators are used. However, renewable sources use generators with interfaces based on power electronics, which characteristics differ from those of synchronous generators.
This project is being developed by R&D Nester in cooperation with China Electric Power Research Institute (CEPRI) and it aims to identify the potential problems resulting from the introduction of renewable sources on the protection functions and, using laboratory simulation, determine what changes are necessary to the current philosophies of parameterization and coordination of those functions. The final result will be a detailed specification for protection systems for transmission grids with a high penetration of renewable sources.
In the scope of the developed work, R&D Nester Team already presented some results. The latest Paper produced in the scope of this project details the development of a simulation model of a Type IV wind turbine generator compliant with the requirements of the Portuguese Grid Code. For the validation of the model, it was introduced in a portion of a transmission grid where faults were simulated at the point of connection. This allowed to obtain measurements of current and voltage which were later compared to well-known methodologies of protection functions, namely, overcurrent and distance. Results show that current contributions from RES are considerably lower during faults as compared to traditional synchronous generators. It was also verified that the type of generator does not seem to affect distance protection behavior.
This paper entitled "Assessment of potential problems on the behavior of protection functions due to the massive integration of wind sources in transmission networks" was presented at the 22nd edition of Wind & Solar Power System Integration Workshop, that was held last September in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Wind & Solar Power System Integration Workshop provides an international forum to discuss project experiences, innovative ideas, and present results from ongoing research. It aims to stimulate interdisciplinary thinking between wind/solar/hydrogen energy and power transmission industries as well as universities and to identify subjects requiring more research efforts. Benefits include the high technical level in considering challenges, solutions and trends and combining international project experience with networking between industry and academia. Presentations are held by invited speakers from companies and leading research institutes as well as by workshop participants selected through a call for papers.
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