Simulation of communication infrastructure of a centralized microgrid protection system based on IEC 61850-7-420

Recently `Microgrid' concept has been proposed where the networks are divided into smaller manageable sets which can be more effectively and efficiently operated. This concept allows conventional grids to be made suitable for large scale deployments of distributed generation. The dynamic structures of micro-grids change very often depending on various network factors. This dynamic behavior of micro-grids to alter operation under various network conditions is an area that needs to be more thoroughly investigated and understood in moving forward with the integration of the micro-grid concept to existing power supply grids. This paper presents one embodiment of a protection system which employs a microgrid central protection unit (MCPU) to coordinate differential current protection. The communication infrastructure of the proposed protection system has been modeled according to IEC 61850 international communication standard for power networks as well as its recent extension for distributed generators (DGs) IEC 61850-7-420. The system is implemented in Matlab/Simulink Environment where the signals and their attributes are adjusted according to these standards.