Received: 22 June 2021 Revised: 26 January 2022 Accepted: 17 March 2022 IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution

DOI: 10.1049/gtd2.12466

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Optimal distributed generation penetration considering relay

coordination and power quality requirements

Mohammad Hossein Sadeghi Ali Dastfan Yaser Damchi

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Shahrood Abstract

University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
Correspondence
Mohammad Hossein Sadeghi, Faculty of Electrical
Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology,
Shahrood, 3619995161, Iran.
Emai: mhsadeghi@shahroodut.ac.ir
Although the electric energy supply from distributed generation (DG) resources is
increasing, these sources also face limitations. Protection and power quality constraints
are the most important issues that limit the maximum DG penetration in power systems.
Changing the short circuit level due to DGs’ presence—especially synchronous-based
(SDG) type—may lead to miscoordination of the protective relays. Also, standard
harmonic limits may be violated due to harmonic injection of inverter-based DGs and
non-linear loads. A protection coordination problem is solved for the basic configuration,
and the optimal settings are applied. Then, using a proposed approach and a new
objective function, the location, size, and type of DGs are optimized to maximize the
DG penetration and the speed of protection system, while reducing power losses. Finally,
the protection setting of SDGs is optimized and applied. In these optimizations, the
protection coordination constraints and the power quality requirements are considered and
met. IEEE 14-bus system and a real sub-transmission system are simulated to evaluate the
proposed approach and the new objective function. The obtained results show significant
power loss reduction and protection speed improvement for different scenarios and case
studies.

1 INTRODUCTION are distributed in different voltage levels. Equipment with

The penetration of distributed generation (DG) resources in
the power systems can be considered one of the parameters
of network development. Reliability improvement, energy not
supplied decrement, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, lines
and transformers congestion relief, and total loss reduction are
the main benefits of DGs [1, 2]. Also, these resources have
direct effects on the protection system and the power qual-
ity of the power grid [3]. DGs are divided into two main
types, synchronous-based DGs (SDG) and inverter-based DGs
(IDG), which each can have different effects on power system
parameters. The short circuit level and the protection system,
especially the coordination constraints of the relays, are affected
by the SDGs and the IDGs have a significant impact on the
power quality of the grid [4].
Harmonic analysis has become a crucial part of mod-
ern power system studies. Non-linear loads and IDGs are
the most important sources of harmonics. Non-linear loads
power electronics devices including inverters, personal com-
puters, chargers, and small industries at the distribution
level, and industrial estates, steel and cement plants etc., at
higher voltage levels are the main non-linear loads. Therefore,
it is necessary to pay attention to the effect of harmonic
production of IDGs and non-linear loads on DG penetra-
tion optimization problems, especially due to their rapid
growth.
In addition to the type of DG, its size and location also have
particular importance in its impact investigation on the grid’s
parameters. Recently, many studies focused on optimal DG pen-
etration and its related considerations.
In some studies, only harmonic consideration due to IDGs
or/and non-linear loads are investigated. In [5], the optimal
allocation of the passive filter and only IDGs considering
feeder reconfiguration is studied. A similar study is published
considering active power filter in the distribution system in
the presence of non-linear distributed generation [6]. Optimal

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2466 wileyonlinelibrary.com/iet-gtd IET Gener. Transm. Distrib. 2022;16:2466–2475.

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SADEGHI ET AL. 2467

penetration of IDGs considering only harmonic effects on [13, 14]:

power systems is investigated in [7]. In [8], load and irradiance
uncertainty are considered in photovoltaic (PV) system penetra- ∑
nr
COF ∶ MinTop = topr (1)
tion in an unbalanced distribution system. Probable unbalances r=1
caused by rooftop PVs in distribution systems are considered
in [9]. In [10], hosting capacity and harmonic distortion limits where topr is the tripping time of the rth relay and is calculated
are considered for the integration of large-scale PV plants in based on (2)
non-sinusoidal environments.
On the other hand, the effects of DGs on the protection sys- ⎡ ⎤
tem are considered in some studies. These studies focus almost ⎢ ⎥
k
exclusively on the SDGs and rarely on IDGs. Optimal plan- topr = ⎢ (( / )𝛼 ) ⎥ TS Mr (2)
ning of SDGs is studied considering the cost of voltage dip and ⎢ f ⎥
⎢ Ir Isetr − 1 ⎥
long duration interruption [11]. The effect of large penetration ⎣ ⎦
of DGs on overcurrent relays is discussed in [12]. The gravita-
tional search algorithm is used for optimal coordination of over- where Irf and Isetr are fault current and setting current of the rth
current relays with DG penetration [13]. Robust [14] and adap- relay, respectively. Parameters α and k are constant and equal
tive [14–16] overcurrent coordination schemes are proposed in to 0.02 and 0.14 for standard inverse characteristics according
several studies to improve protection performance in the pres- to IEC 255-3 [19]. The operating time must be within the
ence of DGs. Overcurrent and timely anti-islanding protection allowable range.
indices are proposed in [17] to preserve protection coordination
in the presence of only SDGs. An offline penetration-free pro- min
topr
≤ topr ≤ top
max
r
(3)
tection scheme for PV-dominated distribution systems is pre-
sented in [2]. Isetr and TSMr can be selected based on the range defined by
A comprehensive study for using both types of DGs, con- the manufacturer as
sidering their impact on the protection system and harmonics
simultaneously, is not addressed in the reviewed papers. The min
Iset ≤ Isetr ≤ Iset
max
(4)
r r
optimal allocation, size, and type of DGs with respect to max-
imum DG penetration, protection constraints, and harmonic
consideration are investigated. The effects of both types of TSMrmin ≤ TS Mr ≤ TSMrmax (5)
DGs on the protection system are considered, and IDGs
contribution in fault current is considered based on IEC-61727 Iset of each relay should be greater than the maximum load
standard. Also, two protection coordination problems are current and lower than the minimum fault current that passes
solved to optimize the settings of directional over current through it.
relays (DOCRs). The first is for the basic configuration, where
/
the line relay settings are determined and applied to the grid.
a × Iload
max
≤ Isetr ≤ Ifault
min
b (6)
The second is to set the DOCRs parameters of the installed r r

SDGs. Three scenarios are defined based on the types of

DGs and implemented in two case studies. The IEEE 14 bus
system and a real sub-transmission system are simulated in
DIgSILENT Power Factory software as a powerful power
system analysis software, and the genetic algorithm is used
to solve the optimization problem in the MATLAB software
environment.
2 PROBLEM BACKGROUND
2.1 DOCRs coordination principles
The simplicity and economic features of DOCRs have made
them the most applicable relays in the power grid, especially
in meshed distribution systems and sub-transmission systems
[18]. The main philosophy of any protection system is to isolate
the faulty area as fast and selective as possible. To achieve
this purpose, co-ordination objective function (COF) and
several constraints are defined, which are explained as follows
Parameters a and b are constant and greater than one
to increase the safety margin. Parameter b also covers the
approximation of fault resistance in coordination problems
by increasing the safety margin for the minimum fault
current.
To have selective protection, the backup relay must operate
with a certain delay after the primary relay (if it does not operate
correctly).
p
b
top − top ≥ CTI (7)
p b
where, top , top , and CTI are the operating time of primary and
backup relays and coordination time interval, respectively.
2.2 Protection of IDGs
IDGs contribution in fault current is limited, and it is usually
ignored in coordination problems. The fault contribution of
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2468 SADEGHI ET AL.

TABLE 1 Tripping times of the inverter in accordance with IEC-61727 TABLE 2 Maximum allowable individual current harmonics [23]
[20]
Harmonic order Distortion limit
Voltage (at PCC) Maximum trip time
Odd harmonics 3th through 9th Less than 4.0%
V < 0.5Vn 0.1 s
11th through 15th Less than 2.0%
0.5 Vn < V < 0.85 Vn 2s 17th through 21th Less than 1.5%
0.85 Vn < V < 1.1 Vn Continues operation
23th through 33th Less than 0.6%
1.1 Vn < V < 1.35 Vn 2s
Even harmonics 2th through 8th Less than 1.0%
1.35 Vn < V 0.05 s
10th through 32th Less than 0.5%

IDG is in the range of 1 to 1.3 times the rated current and
depends on its size [12]. Therefore, due to the fast growth of this
type of DGs in the power system, an absolute disregard for their
impact may lead to a malfunction of the protection system. The
protection operation of the inverter in the short circuit occur-
rence depends on the inverter voltage conditions. The different
IDG (PV) voltage conditions and tripping times of the inverter
are shown in Table 1 in accordance with IEC-61727 [20].
Two scenarios are considered for the fault contribution of
IDGs:
a. When the voltage is lower than 0.5 pu, the inverter protec-
tion operates in less than 0.1 s and ceases the fault current
feeding. Therefore, in this condition, considering that the
minimum operating time of DOCRs equals 0.1 s [21, 22],
no fault current contribution is considered.
b. When the voltage is greater than 0.5 pu, the short circuit cur-
rents for the coordination problem are calculated according
to the current contribution of IDG that is equal to 1.2 times
the rated power of the inverter.
3 MAXIMIZING DG PENETRATION
Several factors should be studied to determine the maximum
DG penetration in the power system. These factors can be con-
sidered as part of the objective function (OF) or/and as the con-
straints. A new OF is proposed to optimize DG penetration,
protection speed, and power system losses. Optimization con-
straints also include harmonics consideration, loading of lines
and feeding transformers, buses voltages, and maximum allow-
able DG power in each bus. Voltage control mode and power
factor control mode are two typical modes of controlling the
excitation system of DGs. The control mode selection depends
on the operational rules adopted by the utility [24]. The power
factor control mode is selected.
3.1 Proposed objective function
In this study for maximizing the DG penetration along with
increasing the protection system speed and reducing power
losses, the following new objective function is proposed:

2.3 Harmonic analysis {( ) }

The importance of harmonic analysis in modern power systems
is increased, especially due to the increase in non-linear loads
that are the sources of harmonic. Industrial loads such as steel
industries, cement factories, and industrial estates are the main
harmonic sources in power systems. IDGs are also another
important source of harmonics in low and medium voltage
levels, due to the use of power electronic devices. Although
almost all the industrials and inverter manufacturers adhere to
the harmonic limits specified in the standards, the harmonic
constraints of the power system may be violated due to the pres-
ence of multiple sources of harmonics. Therefore, integrated
harmonic analysis of the power system in the presence of all
equipment affecting the harmonics is of particular importance.
Voltage total harmonic distortion (THDv ) and voltage indi-
vidual harmonic distortion (IHDv ) are two well-known and
important parameters in harmonic analysis studies. According
to IEEE-519-2014 standard, for 1 kV to 69 kV power systems,
the allowable limits of THDv and IHDv at all buses are 5% and
3%, respectively [23]. Also, individual current harmonics should
be limited to the percentages listed in Table 2 [23].
P̄DG Ploss Top
OF = Min 1− + + (8)
P̄L Plossb Topb
where, P̄DG is the total DG power installed in the grid, P̄L is the
total load of the grid, Ploss and Plossb are power losses with and
without DGs, respectively, and Top and Topb are the total operat-
ing time of DOCRs with and without DGs, respectively.
Harmonic power losses are also considered in Ploss , and its
value is obtained by harmonic power flow calculation [25].
The short circuit level of the power system is affected by
the DGs [14]. Therefore, the fault current passing through
the relays and the related operating times will change. These
changes usually lead to reducing the operating time of relays
because of fault current increment. Operating time reduction
improves the speed of the protection system, but may lead to
miscoordination.
In this paper, the weights of all three parts of the objective
function are equal. These weights can be modified depending on
the grid operator priorities. For example, bigger weights for the
first and second parts are suggested for grids with generation
shortage.
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SADEGHI ET AL. 2469

3.2 Optimization constraints
The following constraints are considered in this study:
∙ Protection coordination constraints are met (3) to (7).
∙ The size of installed DGs is discrete and equal to (9).
PDGi = PSDGi + PIDGi
= (nSDGi × PSDGb ) + (nIDGi × PIDGb )∀i ∈ NB (9)
where PSDGi and PIDGi are the total installed SDG and IDG on
the ith bus, respectively. PSDGb and PIDGb are the base DG val-
ues, nSDGi and nIDGi are integer values, and NB is the set of all
candidate buses.
∙ The maximum allowable DG power for installation in each
bus is equal to the load of the same bus.
max
PDG ≤ PLi ∀i ∈ NB (10)
i based on (16).
∙ Loading of lines and feeding transformers must be within the
allowable capacity.
its programming and computational operations are executed in
MATLAB software environment. DIgSILENT Power Factory
software is used for power system analysis such as load flow,
short circuit calculations, and harmonic analysis. The optimiza-
tion flowchart is shown in Figure 1. In this paper, three scenar-
ios are defined based on the type of DGs. The power system
planner determines the scenario by specifying the value of the
DGT (DG Type) parameter. The values of zero, one, and two are
defined for using both types of SDG and IDG, SDG only, and
IDG only, respectively. In the first optimization problem, TSMs
and Iset s of DOCRs are the optimization variables, and (1) is
the objective function of GA to minimize the operating time of
DOCRs. In this optimization, all coordination constraints must
be met in accordance with (3) to (7). Then, the optimal settings
of DOCRs (resulting from the first optimization problem) are
applied to relays, and the total operating times of relays are cal-
culated. This value and power loss value are stored as Topb and
Plossb for the basic grid configuration. In this study, the location,
size, and type of the DGs are considered optimization variables.
So, the number of genes on each chromosome (ng ) are calculate
ng = nb × nT (16)

Loading where nb is the number of candidate buses for DG installation.

SL < kL × SLrated ∀i ∈ NL (11) To determine the size of both types of DGs in SIDG optimiza-
i i
tion (DGT = 0), nT is equal to two (one gen for IDG and one
Loading
ST < kT × STrated ∀i ∈ NT (12) gen for SDG size), and in SDG or IDG optimization is equal
i i to one (DGT = 1 or 2). So,nSDGi and nIDGi are derived from the
value of each gen to replace in (9). Zero values indicate that
where, NL and NT are the sets of all lines and feeding trans- no DG is installed on the related bus. These values are applied
formers, respectively. kL and kT are positive coefficients and less to the grid in DIgSILENT Power Factory software. Then, the
than one to increase the safety margin. load flow and harmonic load flow analysis, and short circuit cal-
culation are executed, and the power system parameters for the
∙ The buses voltage is limited by the lower and upper new configuration are calculated (voltage of buses, losses, load-
limits. ing, short circuit currents, THDs, IHDs etc.). Short circuit cal-
culation is obtained by several methods in DIgSILENT power
V min < Vbusi < V max ∀i ∈ NB (13)
Factory software [26]. In this paper, the complete method is
used. This method (sometimes also known as the superposi-
∙ THDv and IHDv should be lower than the allowable limits.
tion method) is, in terms of system modelling, an accurate cal-
culation method. In the next step, the optimization constraints
TH Dvi < THDvmax ∀i ∈ NB (14) (3)–(7) and (9)–(15) are checked. If all the constraints are met,
the OF is calculated, and the chromosome passes through this
IHDvhi < IHDvmax ∀i ∈ NB&∀h ∈ NH (15) step; otherwise the next one is replaced. If the stop criterion is
reached, the optimal solutions will be obtained. In this paper,
the difference between the average of OF values of two consec-
where, NH is the set of all harmonic orders. utive generations is defined as the GA stopping criterion. The
optimization is terminated when this value is less than a certain
amount (ɛ).
4 OPTIMIZATION METHOD Finally, the optimization problem of DOCRs settings of
SDGs is solved. This step is processed if there is any SDG
Based on the proposed approach, there are three optimization in the proposed optimal configuration. Each installed SDG is
problems. The first is the coordination problem of DOCRs assigned a DOCR, and the related primary-backup relays pairs
of the lines, the next is the optimal DG penetration, and the constraints are added to the coordination constraints. The oper-
last is finding the optimal relay settings of SDGs. The genetic ating time of each SDG relay is obtained for short circuit occur-
algorithm, as a heuristic method, is implemented to solve, and rence on the near bus, and the COF (1) will be calculated (similar
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2470 SADEGHI ET AL.

TABLE 3 DOCRs co-ordination parameters [3], [21], [28]

(pu) Iset
max
(pu) TSM min (s) TSM max (s)

0.25 2.5 0.05 1.1

min max
top (s) top . (s) a b
0.1 4 1.2 1.2

to the first optimization problem). Due to severe voltage dip of

IDG buses for near faults and fast inverter trip in this situation
based on IEC-61727 (less than 0.1 s), this step is ignored for
IDGs (DGT = 2).
Therefore, at the end of optimization and for the optimal
configuration, the location, size, and type of proposed installed
DGs, and the perfect DOCRs protection with satisfying all the
constraints is obtained.

5 SIMULATION RESULTS
In this paper, two case studies are simulated and presented
to evaluate and validate the proposed OF and optimization
method. The first is the distribution part (33 kV) of the IEEE
14 bus system [27], and the second is the sub-transmission part
(63 kV) of a real power system. The coordination parameters of
DOCRs are the same in both cases, according to Table 3 [3, 21,
28]. Also, the CTI value is considered equal to 0.2 s. GA popu-
lation size, crossover rate, and mutation rate are 60, 0.8, and 0.1,
respectively.
kL and kT are considered equal to 0.95, and the maximum
THDv and IHDv are limited to 5% and 3%, respectively. These
limits are in accordance with the IEEE-519 standard for the
voltage range 1 to 69 kV [23]. The allowable range of voltage is
0.9 to 1.1 pu for the distribution level (case I) and 0.95 to 1.05
pu for the sub-transmission level (case II). The IDG harmonic
currents injection is considered equal to the maximum allowable
value according to IEC 61727 standard (Table 2).

5.1 Case I: IEEE 14 bus system

The IEEE 14 bus system is simulated in DIgSILENT Power

Factory software, as shown in Figure 2. All distribution buses
(33 kV) can be candidates for DG installation. PSDGb and
PIDGb are considered equal to 1 MW. The active power losses
of distribution lines are calculated as Ploss . Sixteen DOCRs are
installed on both sides of all distribution lines, and their set-
tings (TSM and Iset ) are optimized as a coordination optimiza-
tion problem, considering (1)–(7). The total operating times of
the relays are equal to 13.75 s, and the maximum allowable DG FIGURE 1 The flowchart of the proposed algorithm
power injection is 85 MW according to loads active power val-
TABLE 4 Power system values for the basic configuration
ues. The basic conditions of the grid (without any DG) are
shown in Table 4. Ave. loading % Vbus
min
Vbus
max
Ploss
KW
Topb
Three scenarios based on the DGs types are studied, and the 32.64 0.95 0.98 570.6 13.75
DG penetration optimization problems are solved. The optimal
solutions are shown in Table 5.

SADEGHI ET AL.
FIGURE 2 IEEE 14 bus system [27]
The maximum penetration is limited by different causes in
each scenario. For example, the power of the DGs installed on
buses 6 and 11 in the SIDG scenario is limited by the maxi-
mum allowable power of the buses. Protection constraints and
the fifth harmonic magnitude on bus 9 are other limitations of
DG penetration in this scenario. The simulation results show
that the simultaneous use of both types of DGs leads to the
highest penetration. Also, in the SIDG, SDG, and IDG scenar-
ios, power losses are reduced by 50%, 21%, and 41%, respec-
tively. The THDv values and voltages of buses are within the
allowable range, and the loading of the lines and transformers is
improved significantly.
Table 6 shows the optimal setting of DOCRs and the oper-
ating time of relays without and with allocation of DGs (SDG
scenario for example). According to Tables 5 and 6, the oper-
ating times of all the DOCRs are improved and the protection
speed is increased in the presence of SDGs by about 5%, while
the effect of IDGs is negligible.
Also, due to the increase in non-linear loads in power sys-
tems, all scenarios are simulated again in the presence of non-
linear loads. The six-pulse converter is simulated as the non-
linear load [10]. The value and location of non-linear loads
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2471
(Table 7) are randomly selected by considering the following
constraints:
a. Five percent of network loads are replaced by non-linear
loads.
b. The loads are placed on three of the seven distribution buses.
c. Their value is in the range of 10% to 50% of the bus load in
MVA.
Table 8 shows the optimization result in the presence of non-
linear loads. The DG penetration in the IDG scenario is notice-
ably reduced (54%) due to harmonic limits, although this reduc-
tion is partially compensated by SDGs in the SIDG scenario.
Also, the harmonic losses are increased in all scenarios. In this
condition, the voltage of bus no. 9 is reached its upper limit in
the SIDG scenario. The other parameters analysis is almost the
same as before.
After determining the optimal size and location of the SDGs,
the DOCRs settings are optimized and applied. This step is
executed for SIDG and SDG scenarios. For example, the opti-
mal settings of SDGs relay in the SDG scenario are shown in
Table 9.
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2472 SADEGHI ET AL.

TABLE 5 Optimal solutions of ‘Case I’ with linear loads TABLE 7 Non-linear loads of 14 bus system

Bus load Non-linear Non-linear

Scenarios SIDG
Bus no. (MVA) load % load (MVA)
SDG(MW) IDG(MW)
Max DG 11 4 25 1.00
Bus No. power (MW) SDG(MW) IDG(MW)
12 6 30 1.80
6 11 3 8 5 1 14 15 13 1.95
9 29 17 6 18 12 Sum 25 – 4.75
10 9 0 3 0 0
11 3 1 2 2 1
12 6 0 0 0 0 TABLE 8 Optimal solutions of ‘case I’ with non-linear loads

13 13 0 1 1 7 Scenarios S&IDG
14 14 0 8 1 3
Max DG
Sum 85 21 28 27 24 Bus No. power (MW) SDG(MW) IDG(MW) SDG(MW) IDG(MW)
Penetration % 55.87 30.79 27.37
6 11 4 5 6 0
THDvmax ∕Bus 3.1/9 0.00 3.2/9
9 29 19 0 20 0
IHDvmax ∕H.No.∕Bus 2.80/5/9 — 2.99/5/9
10 9 0 3 0 0
KW
Ploss 282.87 443.98 335.72
11 3 2 1 1 1
Harm. losskW 1.10 0.00 1.11
12 6 0 0 0 0
%
LoadingAve. 17.72 24.23 25.34
13 13 0 3 1 7
max
Vbus (PU)/Bus(es) 1.04/9 1.04/9 1.00/6,9
14 14 0 8 2 3
min
Vbus (PU)/Bus(es) 1.02/12,13,14 1.01/14 0.97/14
Sum 85 25 20 30 11
( 13.07 13.08 13.58
Penetration % 51.31 34.21 12.54
THDVmax ∕Bus 3.33/9 2.22/5 3.14/9
IHDVmax ∕H.No.∕Bus 2.98/5/9 1.99/5/2 2.97/5/9
KW
Ploss 248.65 414.90 350.98
TABLE 6 Optimal setting of DOCRs and their operating time for basic
configuration and SDG scenario Harm. losskW 2.14 0.91 2.10
%
LoadingAve. 17.64 23.79 29.59
top (s)
max
Vbus (PU)/Bus(es) 1.05/9 1.04/6,9,10 0.99/6,9
Relay No. TSM (s) Iset (pu) No DG SDG Δtop (s) min
Vbus (PU)/Bus(es) 1.02/13,14 1.02/12,13,14 0.97/14
1 0.38 1.6 0.812 0.774 0.038 Top (s) 13.03 13.04 13.68
2 0.06 0.93 0.103 0.100 0.003
3 0.4 1.49 0.872 0.833 0.039
4 0.14 0.83 0.244 0.233 0.011 TABLE 9 Optimal setting of SDGs relay for SDG scenario (case I)
5 0.66 0.64 1.105 1.065 0.04 Bus no. 6 9 11 13 14
6 0.42 1.5 0.848 0.805 0.043 TSM (s) 0.2 0.18 0.16 0.69 0.71
7 0.65 1.04 1.110 1.057 0.053 Iset (pu) 1.5 1.4 0.34 1 1.68
8 0.45 1.44 0.892 0.845 0.047 top (s) 1.11 1.31 1.10 1.01 1.14
9 0.81 0.89 1.229 1.168 0.061
10 0.33 2.31 0.693 0.654 0.039
11 0.53 2.03 1.135 1.071 0.064 5.2 Case II: real sub-transmission system
12 0.46 0.97 0.812 0.773 0.039
13 0.56 1.53 1.130 1.058 0.072 A part of the real sub-transmission system of Iran is selected
14 0.5 0.84 0.896 0.861 0.035 and simulated in DIgSILENT Power Factory software as the
15 0.57 1.21 1.083 1.038 0.045
second case study (Figure 3). The grid’s rated voltage is 63 kV,
and it is fed by six transmission transformers from three 230
16 0.43 1.58 0.789 0.744 0.045
kV buses. Twenty-two DOCRs are installed on both sides of
Sum - - 13.753 13.079 0.674 11 lines of the grid. All the 63 kV buses (nine buses) can be
candidates for DG installation. PSDGb and PIDGb are considered
equal to 5 MW. The active power losses of sub-transmission
lines are calculated as Ploss . The total active and reactive load
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SADEGHI ET AL. 2473

FIGURE 3 Real sub-transmission system

of the sub-transmission grid is 268.6 MW and 119 MVAR, TABLE 10 Optimal solutions of case II
respectively. Scenarios S&IDG
Different harmonics are generated in the grid due to the
non-linear loads of the industrial estates, steel, and cement Max DG
industries of this area. There are two steel factories on buses Bus No. power (MW) SDG(MW) IDG(MW) SDG(MW) IDG(MW)
3 and 5, a cement factory on bus 1, and an industrial estate 1 45 35 10 35 45
on bus 8. Portable power quality analyzers (Unilyzer 902) 2 30 0 30 5 0
are installed in industrial feeders to measure the harmonic
3 40 15 25 0 0
current injection by the industries for 1 week. The current
4 25 0 25 10 15
harmonic spectrum (magnitude and phase angles for each three
phases) for the maximum THDI is used for the studies. In 5 15 0 0 0 15
this condition and for the basic configuration, the maximum 6 30 0 30 0 15
THDv is calculated on bus 3 and equal to 2.31%. The sum 7 30 25 5 30 0
of operating times for optimal DOCRs setting is 10.39 s. 8 25 0 0 0 0
The average loading of lines and transmission transformers is
9 25 15 10 20 20
about 40%, and all the buses are within the allowable voltage
Sum 265 90 135 100 110
range.
The same three scenarios are studied, and the optimal solu- Penetration % 83.77 37.23 40.95
tions are obtained according to Table 10. Power losses for the THDvmax ∕Bus 3.80/3 3.57/1 2.13/3
basic grid are 2493 kW, which at best is reduced by about 73%. IHDvmax ∕H.No.∕Bus 2.95/17/2 1.28/11/3 2.95/17/9
According to Table 10, the maximum penetration (83.77%) and KW
Ploss 654.04 1998.36 1472.77
the minimum loading (18.51%) are obtained in SIDG scenario,
Harm. losskW 3.92 3.38 4.31
although the loading is improved in all scenarios. Similar to %
LoadingAve. 18.51 33.14 32.70
the first case, SDGs provide the best protection speed (3%
max
improvement) in SIDG and SDG scenarios. Vbus (PU)/Bus 1.04/7 1.04/7 1.03/7
min
The optimal settings of DOCRs for installed SDGs in the Vbus (PU)/Bus(es) 1.01/3.4 0.99/3.4 0.98/3
SDG scenario are shown in Table 11. Also, a similar optimiza- Top (s) 10.04 10.06 10.39
tion problem is solved for the SIDG scenario.
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2474 SADEGHI ET AL.

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