Assessment of DG Effect on a Protection Scheme considering High Impedance Faults

Abstract

This paper presents the effect of Distributed Generation (DG) implementation on the protection scheme coordination of an IEEE 13-nodes test feeder. DG integration, simulated in OpenDSS, includes scenarios with different locations, penetration and spread levels. Single-phase High Impedance Faults (HIF) are used for testing the scheme response. Reactions are presented in the protection devices, such as Trips ahead and Unexecuted trips, due to the Loss of Coordination (LOC) and of the device sensibility. As the priority is the customers safety, it is appointed that Unexecuted trip is the least desired reaction. Scenarios with highest penetration level show the most inadequate behavior, although scenarios with few Distribution Energy Resources (DERs) located close to the main line have the best performance. In addition, it is concluded that nodes with reclosers are not a desired location to position a DER, similarly to the network external nodes.