Fault analysis in hybrid microgrid for developing a suitable protection scheme

Abstract

Microgrids are emerging as a promising solution to various concerns such as ecological, fiscal, depletion of the resources for fuel availability and power mismatch. A microgrid is an active distribution network that can be connected in islanded or grid-connected modes. Protection of microgrids is one of the main challenges in its implementation because of insufficient short circuit current, reverse power flow and frequent topological changes. Fault analysis is one of the prerequisites for designing the protection scheme of the system under consideration. This paper discusses the protection scheme prerequisites for a photo voltaic (PV) based microgrid topology. Fault analysis on a PV-based hybrid microgrid topology has been carried out and presented to decide the suitable protection algorithm for the controller. Analysis has been conducted assuming that at a given point PV sources supply sufficient power to the load. Fault analysis has been carried out on DC side as well as AC side of the microgrid.