Active distribution network fault location methodology: A minimum fault reactance and Fibonacci search approach

• Published in: International journal of electrical power & energy systems 2017-01, Vol.84, p.232-241
• Main Authors: Orozco-Henao, C., Bretas, A.S., Chouhy-Leborgne, R., Herrera-Orozco, A.R., Marín-Quintero, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Distributed Energy Resources; Distribution networks; Fault location; Fibonacci search method
• ISSN: 0142-0615; 1879-3517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2016.06.002

•In this paper a frequency domain formulation for fault location in distribution networks with Distributed Energy Resources is presented.•The fault location method is formulated as a minimization problem. A Fibonacci-based search method is proposed to improve the estimation process.•Inherent characteristics as unbalanced operation, different load types and non-transposed lines are considered during method́s equation development.•Different Distributed Energy Resources are considered through a ladder-based approach.•The proposed method showed to be efficient and robust, using only locally available voltage and current phasors and synchronized current phasors in each DER. Active Distribution Networks (ADN) are defined as distribution networks with presence of Distributed Energy Resources (DER). In this paper, a Fault Location (FL) analytical methodology for active distribution networks is presented. The proposed technique combines the minimum fault reactance concept and a Fibonacci search method to estimate the fault location. Synchronized current phasors provided by Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED) located at the DER units are considered. A ladder-based technique is proposed and used to estimate the current contribution of each DER to the fault point. Proposed analytical methodology is applicable for all DER types without need to know its individual parameters and model. Validation is made using the IEEE 34-nodes test feeder. Test feeder is modeled using ATP/EMTP software and modified with the addition of several DER. Test results show the robustness of the methodology, indicating its potential for real-life applications.