A Quantitative Evaluation Method Based on Single-Ended Information Protection Adaptability Considering Distributed Generator Access

A high proportion of distributed generators (DGs) connected to the distribution network causes a significant change in the normal and fault currents of the system as well as in the linearization of the characteristics. It is difficult to adapt to conventional protection. This paper theoretically analyzes the possible impact of fault current characteristics on traditional protection based on single-ended informativeness after connecting to DGs. From the perspective of protection action, the evaluation index system of DG protection is established by considering the maximum short-circuit current output from DG. Combined with the relay protection requirements, the calculation method of evaluation indexes is given concerning the protection characteristics and expert experience. An analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and a CRITIC combination assignment method based on the principle of minimum information identification are proposed. The scores of different types of protection before and after DG access are calculated using the proposed methodology employing a typical distribution network example. The proposed method can quantitatively obtain the distribution network protection adaptability boundary. In the actual calculation example selected in this paper, a DG can reasonably improve the adaptability of the three-stage current protection when it increases the current amplitude at a penetration rate of 50%; the DG needs to adjust the three-stage current protection rectification value when it decreases the current amplitude at a penetration rate of 20%; and adaptive overcurrent protection and inverse time limit current protection need to be adjusted when the penetration rate of DG is 50%. Compared with the traditional protection evaluation method, the method adopted in this paper can intuitively derive the weak link between protection handling faults after DG access as well as the appropriate capacity of DG to improve protection performance. It can provide a powerful reference for the optimization of protection schemes after the high percentage of DG access.