Methodology for fault location in smart grids with dispersed smart switches

• Grant number: 15/00505-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2015
• End date: April 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Power Systems
• Principal Investigator: Fabio Bertequini Leao
• Grantee: Pedro Henrique Alves Campos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Ilha Solteira. Ilha Solteira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

With the design of a new paradigm for the distribution system of the future characterized by the implementation of smart grids, it is expected that new methods for operation, monitoring, control and protection of distribution systems should be developed so that all the new features made possible by the implementation the smart grid are explored.From the point of view of protection of the distribution system various technologies have been developed, presented and discussed in the literature, so that new protection schemes and philosophies are developed. The aim is to overcome the problems inherent in new operating paradigm and monitoring of distribution systems due to possible massive penetration of distributed generation on the network. The design of an active network and its benefits can only be fully exploited if a protection system, monitoring and robust control is implemented to the distribution systems. In this sense, this research project proposes the development of a methodology for monitoring and fault location in smart distribution system. The design of the intelligent system is based on the replacement of the equipment traditionally used in the protection of distribution systems, intelligent switches (Smart switches) provided with fault indicators sensors able to send its status to the distribution control center. For that should be proposed a methodology based on a matrix of switch-section relationship that should be updated whenever there are changes in the network topology. For the development of the project must use software like Matlab to implement the algorithm. Extensive testing should be performed from a literature test system.