Genetic optimisation-based distributed energy resource allocation and recloser-fuse coordination

Nowadays, it is possible to notice a growth in the integration of distributed energy resource (DER) in the distribution systems. Despite the many benefits caused by this integration, there are some changes in the load and short-circuit current, which may lead to mis-coordination between protective devices. Moreover, an improper DER integration can generate problems regarding the levels of current, voltage, and power factor of the network. Therefore, in this study, the authors conducted a specific study to optimise the size and location of DER in a distribution feeder, to reduce investment and operation costs, regarding the operational and physical limits of the system and generators. In addition, the optimised recloser-fuse coordination was performed to reduce the actuation time of these protective devices, taking into account the generation and load variation during the day, DER operating modes, and all the fault types. In this study, the optimisation method adopted was genetic algorithms and the IEEE 34-node test feeder was used to validate the proposed methodology. Thus, it was possible to achieve a single protection scheme based on the fuse saving scheme, which is able to coordinate the protective devices for all the analysed cases simultaneously.