Evaluating Protection System Performance for a Real-World Weak Grid Area With High Inverter-Based Resources: Preprint

Hasan, Abu Shouaib [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)]; Velaga, Yaswanth [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000305555825); Wang, Jing [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)]; Chen, Lang [Florida Power & Light]; Dubeau, Joseph [Florida Power & Light]; Arana, Andrew [Florida Power & Light]

DOE OSTI · 3394819

Evaluating Protection System Performance for a Real-World Weak Grid Area With High Inverter-Based Resources: Preprint

Hasan, Abu Shouaib [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)]·Velaga, Yaswanth [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000305555825)·Wang, Jing [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)]·Chen, Lang [Florida Power & Light]·Dubeau, Joseph [Florida Power & Light]·Arana, Andrew [Florida Power & Light]

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Abstract

This paper evaluates an existing protection scheme implemented in a real-world weak grid area with a high penetration of inverter-based resources (IBRs). The study aims to assess the reliability and adequacy of protection schemes originally designed for traditional synchronous machine systems and determine whether they can continue to operate reliably in systems with high levels of IBRs. Hardware relays are tested using a controller-hardware-in-the-loop setup. PSCAD electromagnetic transient simulation with an IBR original equipment manufacturer black-box model is used to perform fault studies and generate COMTRADE data, which are replayed by a real-time digital simulator (RTDS) to feed input to the hardware relays. Three scenarios are analyzed: normal operation, an N-1 contingency, and an IBR-only scenario. The evaluation results reveal the following: 1) the protection scheme remains reliable under normal conditions and N-1 contingencies and 2) in IBR-only scenarios, differential protection (87L) continues to operate reliably, whereas local protection elements, such as distance and directional elements, fail because of the lack of regulated negative sequence current contributed by IBRs. These findings provide utilities with valuable insights for improving their protection systems in high-IBRs.

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24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION enhanced protection IEEE 2800-2022 negative sequence current transmission line protection

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Hasan, Abu Shouaib [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)], Velaga, Yaswanth [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000305555825), Wang, Jing [National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO (United States)], Chen, Lang [Florida Power & Light], Dubeau, Joseph [Florida Power & Light], Arana, Andrew [Florida Power & Light]. 2026-07-24. Evaluating Protection System Performance for a Real-World Weak Grid Area With High Inverter-Based Resources: Preprint. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/3394819

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