December 8, 2021
Report

Protection of Distribution Circuits with High Penetration of Solar PV: Distance, Learning, and Estimation-Based Methods

Abstract

The results of DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office project 34233 are presented. The newest version of IEEE Standard 1547 enables photovoltaic inverters to ride through voltage disturbances, improving bulk system reliability, at the expense of removing undervoltage trip as a fast method of de facto fault detection in high PV adoption scenarios. The project explored new methods of fault detection that don't rely on communication systems and could be available quickly, including distance-based schemes, focused directional relays, and two different data-driven schemes. The schemes were evaluated with fast-phasor simulation, electromagnetic transient simulation, and field data collection at partner utilities Chattanooga Electric Power Board and Dominion Energy Virginia. Accomplishments and possible paths forward are summarized.

Published: December 8, 2021

Citation

McDermott T.E., N. Shepard, S. Meliopoulos, M. Ramesh, J.D. Doty, and J.T. Kolln. 2021. Protection of Distribution Circuits with High Penetration of Solar PV: Distance, Learning, and Estimation-Based Methods Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.