Microgrid Fault Detection Method Coordinated with a Sequence Component Current-Based Fault Control Strategy

The fault characteristics of microgrids are affected by the penetration of inverter-interfaced distributed generators (IIDGs). It makes conventional protection schemes no longer applicable. With different grid codes in different countries, IIDGs need to adopt different positive-sequence low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) control strategies during LVRT. Therefore, conventional protection schemes have to be modified according to the specific microgrid structure and the IIDGs' LVRT strategy. In order to adapt to different grid codes, a sequence component current-based fault control strategy and a coordinated microgrid fault detection method are proposed in this paper. The fault control strategy of IIDGs comprehensively considers the coordination between voltage support and fault characteristics generation, where the sequence currents are controlled separately. The positive-sequence current control strategy aims at supporting the microgrid voltage, whereas the negative-sequence current control strategy aims at generating or enhancing specific fault characteristics. Based on the proposed fault control strategy, the grid-feeding IIDGs can be equivalent to current sources and generate or enhance the negative-sequence fault characteristics in the equivalent additional networks of negative-sequence components. The fault feeder can then be accurately located by analyzing the phase relationship between the negative-sequence fault components of voltage and current phasors. A coordinated microgrid fault detection method based on the fault control strategy of IIDGs is proposed. The proposed fault control method makes the fault component protection principle applicable to all types of faults under any operational modes of microgrids. Finally, the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed coordinated fault control and protection strategy are verified in PSCAD/EMTDC.