Fault Current Contribution from Renewable Energy Sources on Distribution Network Protection Schemes

Abstract

The integration of renewable energy sources influences the reliability and operation of the protection scheme of a distribution network due to the infeed effect. Using the Katsina wind farm as a case study and modelled in ETAP software, the objective of this paper is to analyze the impact of fault current contribution on the protection scheme considering its penetration level. The results show the need to review protection scheme settings prior to the installation of a new renewable energy source (RES). Secondly, the paper provides an alternative method of protection scheme coordination to reduce frequent review of the settings during the integration of new RES to the network. The method requires digital relays with telecommunication features and setting-group functions at both ends of the feeder.