Feasibility of Travelling-Wave-Based Phase-Fault Protection for Transmission Line Connected to Inverter-Interfaced Renewable Energy Sources

Abstract

Inverter-interfaced renewable energy sources such Type 4 wind farms have different response to the power system faults compared to the conventional power plants based on synchronous generators. Their fault current is very limited due to low thermal limits of the converters used to interface them to the main power grid. Also, the fault current characteristics are different and affected by the control algorithm employed during the fault. To avoid problems associated with the fundamental frequency signals, this paper studies the feasibility of the single end travelling-wave method for protection against phase-faults in the high voltage transmission line emanating from the renewable energy farm. The arrival time of the first two waves at the local terminal is used to detect the faults. A test system is simulated using the EMTP-RV software. Phase-faults are imposed at different conditions of fault resistance, fault location and inception angle. The results prove the efficacy of the method that can also reduce the protection system tripping time.