Enhancing Distance Protection Performance in Transmission Systems with Renewable Energy Utilization

This paper deals with a comprehensive analysis to test the performance of available distance protection, that can be used in transmission networks with high penetration of converter-based distribution generation. For this, a new benchmark model has been developed according to the European Network of Transmission System Operators (ENTSO-e) guidelines. A 400 kV transmission network has been modeled in detail by taking into account wind turbine (WT) Type-3, Type-4 and PV generation as well as conventional generation where applicable. The network also makes use of a point-to-point HVDC connection, and it can be used to simulate variable penetration of distribution generation up to 100%. The system is modeled in details by making use of EMT models developed in RTDS environment. Numerous tests have been performed for protective relays from different vendors and different grid code constraints. The performance of the different vendor distance relay is analyzed for different fault types on transmission line. Further, a transient-based hybrid scheme has been discussed that is capable of operating under challenging conditions. The work is realized in the frame of the large EU Horizon 2020 project MIGRATE to study the performance of power system protection with large penetration of power electronic devices.