Abstract
Renewable energy resources (RES) such as photovoltaic systems are the main contributors of distributed generation. The use of RES is increasing rapidly in the electrical grid in order to reduce dependency on conventional energy resources and meet the high demand for power. Increased demand on the power grid requires development of innovative approaches for power generation. Negative environmental impacts of fossil fuels are reduced by using clean energy sources. However, since these RES are intermittent, their increased penetration levels cause certain technical issues such as protection coordination. The protection scheme of the system, such as the coordination of over current relays, is generally studied based on fixed network topology, unidirectional energy flow, and the assumption of conventional generation. However, the protective devices need to be adapted to the dynamic nature of RES. RES, when added to the existing distribution network, contribute additional faulty currents, in cases where there is an existing fault in the power network. In this project, we will analyze various conditions, such as weather patterns, fault types/locations, and different relay settings to observe their performance. If needed, we will suggest a new protection scheme that can balance simplicity, economics, reliability, speed, and selectivity.