Estimation of Islanding Events in Utility Distribution Grid with Renewable Energy Using Current Variations and Stockwell Transform

Abstract

This research work has designed an algorithm to identify islanding events using the current signals in a distribution grid interfaced with renewable energy (RE) sources situated in remote areas. A median-based islanding recognition factor (MIRF) is designed by processing the current signal using Stockwell transform (ST). A current rate of change of islanding recognition factor (CRCIRF) is computed by differentiating the root mean square (RMS) current concerning time. The MIRF and CRCIRF are multiplied element by element to calculate the current-based islanding recognition factor (IRFC) used to recognize islanding events and non-islanding events. Simple decision rules are used to discriminate Islanding events from the faulty and the operational events by comparing peak magnitude of IRFC with pre-set threshold values. This IDM effectively recognizes islanding events in the presence of noise with 10 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) level. The performance of IDM is established on a practical distribution feeder. Developed work is executed in MATLAB/Simulink.