The performance of passive methods of detecting island operation implemented in PV inverters during selected disturbances in distribution power grids

Distributed generation is an issue intensively studied in recent years. It concerns, among others protection systems of distributed generation units connected to electric power grids. The main goal of this paper is to present the issue of functional reliability of selected passive loss of mains (LoM) protection systems, i.e. methods of detecting island operation in distribution power grids, which are implemented in PV inverters installed in sample MV and LV grids, typical for Polish conditions. First, different methods of detecting island operation have been distinguished and shortly characterized. Some problems concerning their action have also been presented. Then commonly used passive methods of island grid operation detection have been described. Next sample distribution grid has been presented and chosen disturbances modelled in the grid to test mentioned passive methods have been defined. For each of the determined type of disturbance the dynamic simulation has been carried out, as well as voltage and frequency plots for two selected RES nodes have been recorded and observed. All considered passive methods of island grid operation detection have been implemented in a Matlab/Simulink environment. Models of RoCoF, U/OVP and U/ OFP algorithms have been presented in diagrams. Then, results of carried out extensive studies have been shown in tables and discussed. The results are a consequence of a realized research project concerning electric grids in rural areas. Summary, final conclusions, and future research possibilities constitute the last part of the paper. The conclusions are mainly concentrated on evaluation of action of passive methods of island operation detection as well as possibility of using the methods in Polish conditions, particularly in rural distribution grids.