Microgrid Fault Detection Utilizing State Observer and Multi-Agent System

Microgrid protection continues to be an emerging research problem for several reasons, such as integrating various levels of distributed generation and connecting power electronic converters. This paper develops a new protection approach using Multi-Agent System with a state observer and fault current limiters. This approach has two functions: achieving the fault detection for multiple zones of microgrid and restoring the power to the affected load in case of persistent fault. Mainly, this integration framework comprises distributed agents, which will communicate, interact, and exchange data for detecting the fault through the residual current value of the state observer within a particular protection zone. On the other hand, the fault current limiter will prevent the interruption of distributed generators during the faults. The proposed protection framework in this paper has been tested and applied to a microgrid configuration and is demonstrated to be an effective means to detect the faults as well as restore the power for multiple protection zones of the system.