Optimal Protection Coordination for Grid-Connected and Islanded Microgrids Assisted by the Crow Search Algorithm: Application of Dual-Setting Overcurrent Relays and Fault Current Limiters

This paper introduces a two-stage protection coordination framework designed for grid-connected and islanded microgrids (MGs) that integrate distributed generations (DGs) and energy storage systems (ESSs). The first stage focuses on determining the optimal location and sizing of DGs and ESSs within...

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Main Authors: Hossien Shad, Hamid Amini Khanavandi, Saeed Abrisham Foroushan Asl, Ali Aranizadeh, Behrooz Vahidi, Mirpouya Mirmozaffari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Energies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1601
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author Hossien Shad
Hamid Amini Khanavandi
Saeed Abrisham Foroushan Asl
Ali Aranizadeh
Behrooz Vahidi
Mirpouya Mirmozaffari
author_facet Hossien Shad
Hamid Amini Khanavandi
Saeed Abrisham Foroushan Asl
Ali Aranizadeh
Behrooz Vahidi
Mirpouya Mirmozaffari
author_sort Hossien Shad
collection DOAJ
description This paper introduces a two-stage protection coordination framework designed for grid-connected and islanded microgrids (MGs) that integrate distributed generations (DGs) and energy storage systems (ESSs). The first stage focuses on determining the optimal location and sizing of DGs and ESSs within the islanded MG to ensure a stable and reliable operation. The objective is to minimize the combined annual investment and expected operational costs while adhering to the optimal power flow equations governing the MG, which incorporates both DGs and ESSs. To account for the inherent uncertainties in load and DG power generation, scenario-based stochastic programming (SBSP) is used to model these variations effectively. The second stage develops the optimal protection coordination strategy for both grid-connected and islanded MGs, aiming to achieve a rapid and efficient protective response. This is achieved by optimizing the settings of dual-setting overcurrent relays (DSORs) and determining the appropriate sizing of fault current limiters (FCLs), using operational data from the MG’s daily performance. The goal is to minimize the total operating time of the DSORs in both primary and backup protection modes while respecting critical constraints such as the coordination time interval (CTI) and the operational limits of DSORs and FCLs. To solve this complex optimization problem, the Crow Search Algorithm (CSA) is employed, ensuring the derivation of reliable and effective solutions. The framework is implemented on both 9-bus and 32-bus MGs, demonstrating its practical applicability and evaluating its effectiveness in real-world scenarios. The proposed method achieves an expected total daily relay operation time of 1041.36 s for the 9-bus MG and 1282 s for the 32-bus MG. Additionally, the optimization results indicate a reduction in maximum voltage deviation from 0.0073 p.u. (grid-connected mode) to 0.0038 p.u. (islanded mode) and a decrease in daily energy loss from 1.0114 MWh to 0.9435 MWh. The CSA solver outperforms conventional methods, achieving a standard deviation of 1.13% and 1.21% for two optimization stages, ensuring high reliability and computational efficiency. This work not only provides valuable insights into the optimization of MG protection coordination but also contributes to the broader effort of enhancing the reliability and economic viability of microgrid systems, which are becoming increasingly vital for sustainable energy solutions in modern power grids.
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spelling doaj-art-ec7a38f794ec4077b1ff42b3f9bb89cd2025-08-20T02:09:13ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-03-01187160110.3390/en18071601Optimal Protection Coordination for Grid-Connected and Islanded Microgrids Assisted by the Crow Search Algorithm: Application of Dual-Setting Overcurrent Relays and Fault Current LimitersHossien Shad0Hamid Amini Khanavandi1Saeed Abrisham Foroushan Asl2Ali Aranizadeh3Behrooz Vahidi4Mirpouya Mirmozaffari5Department of Electrical Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Saveh Branch, Saveh 14778-93855, IranDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Saveh Branch, Saveh 14778-93855, IranDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Saveh Branch, Saveh 14778-93855, IranDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran 3715879817, IranDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran 3715879817, IranDepartment of Industrial Engineering, Dalhousie University, 5269 Morris Street, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, CanadaThis paper introduces a two-stage protection coordination framework designed for grid-connected and islanded microgrids (MGs) that integrate distributed generations (DGs) and energy storage systems (ESSs). The first stage focuses on determining the optimal location and sizing of DGs and ESSs within the islanded MG to ensure a stable and reliable operation. The objective is to minimize the combined annual investment and expected operational costs while adhering to the optimal power flow equations governing the MG, which incorporates both DGs and ESSs. To account for the inherent uncertainties in load and DG power generation, scenario-based stochastic programming (SBSP) is used to model these variations effectively. The second stage develops the optimal protection coordination strategy for both grid-connected and islanded MGs, aiming to achieve a rapid and efficient protective response. This is achieved by optimizing the settings of dual-setting overcurrent relays (DSORs) and determining the appropriate sizing of fault current limiters (FCLs), using operational data from the MG’s daily performance. The goal is to minimize the total operating time of the DSORs in both primary and backup protection modes while respecting critical constraints such as the coordination time interval (CTI) and the operational limits of DSORs and FCLs. To solve this complex optimization problem, the Crow Search Algorithm (CSA) is employed, ensuring the derivation of reliable and effective solutions. The framework is implemented on both 9-bus and 32-bus MGs, demonstrating its practical applicability and evaluating its effectiveness in real-world scenarios. The proposed method achieves an expected total daily relay operation time of 1041.36 s for the 9-bus MG and 1282 s for the 32-bus MG. Additionally, the optimization results indicate a reduction in maximum voltage deviation from 0.0073 p.u. (grid-connected mode) to 0.0038 p.u. (islanded mode) and a decrease in daily energy loss from 1.0114 MWh to 0.9435 MWh. The CSA solver outperforms conventional methods, achieving a standard deviation of 1.13% and 1.21% for two optimization stages, ensuring high reliability and computational efficiency. This work not only provides valuable insights into the optimization of MG protection coordination but also contributes to the broader effort of enhancing the reliability and economic viability of microgrid systems, which are becoming increasingly vital for sustainable energy solutions in modern power grids.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1601distributed generationdual-setting overcurrent relayenergy storage systemfault current limitersreliable islanded microgridtwo-stage optimal protection coordination
spellingShingle Hossien Shad
Hamid Amini Khanavandi
Saeed Abrisham Foroushan Asl
Ali Aranizadeh
Behrooz Vahidi
Mirpouya Mirmozaffari
Optimal Protection Coordination for Grid-Connected and Islanded Microgrids Assisted by the Crow Search Algorithm: Application of Dual-Setting Overcurrent Relays and Fault Current Limiters
Energies
distributed generation
dual-setting overcurrent relay
energy storage system
fault current limiters
reliable islanded microgrid
two-stage optimal protection coordination
title Optimal Protection Coordination for Grid-Connected and Islanded Microgrids Assisted by the Crow Search Algorithm: Application of Dual-Setting Overcurrent Relays and Fault Current Limiters
title_full Optimal Protection Coordination for Grid-Connected and Islanded Microgrids Assisted by the Crow Search Algorithm: Application of Dual-Setting Overcurrent Relays and Fault Current Limiters
title_fullStr Optimal Protection Coordination for Grid-Connected and Islanded Microgrids Assisted by the Crow Search Algorithm: Application of Dual-Setting Overcurrent Relays and Fault Current Limiters
title_full_unstemmed Optimal Protection Coordination for Grid-Connected and Islanded Microgrids Assisted by the Crow Search Algorithm: Application of Dual-Setting Overcurrent Relays and Fault Current Limiters
title_short Optimal Protection Coordination for Grid-Connected and Islanded Microgrids Assisted by the Crow Search Algorithm: Application of Dual-Setting Overcurrent Relays and Fault Current Limiters
title_sort optimal protection coordination for grid connected and islanded microgrids assisted by the crow search algorithm application of dual setting overcurrent relays and fault current limiters
topic distributed generation
dual-setting overcurrent relay
energy storage system
fault current limiters
reliable islanded microgrid
two-stage optimal protection coordination
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1601
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