Faults Monitoring System in the Electric Power Grid with Scalability to Detect Natural/Environmental Catastrophes

Abstract

In electric power to medium voltage one of the service quality factors is to ensure the continuous supply of electricity to the customer. This work aims to develop a fault monitoring system based only one variable, that is: the electric current. The purpose is to develop a flexible and scalable system to any electrical grid that can identify the cause and location of the failure in the medium voltage of electric power grid, contributing to improve the service quality of the grid. Also, the system can be easily adapted to monitor environmental parameters to generate alerts on natural catastrophes. The neutral system that is implemented (grounded, impedance grounded or ungrounded) is an important factor, in this work is evaluated the ungrounded system. In this paper three different algorithms have been developed: System A, system B and C. System A monitors the nominal value of electric current in each line of the electric power grid, system B monitors the value of electric power in each transformer station and system C compares the current at the begin and end of each line of the grid, checking if there is any discrepancy between them. All algorithms were tested in simulation mode and the most flexible, system C, was implemented in laboratorial prototype. It has been verified that for the monitoring system evaluation it is necessary to analyze the following parameters: real-time fault detection and location, monitoring before the distribution line protections act and the ability to adapt according to changes in the electric power grid, improving the service quality.

A Comprehensive Review of Operation and Control, Maintenance and Lifespan Management, Grid Planning and Design, and Metering in Smart Grids

“…Assilzadeh et al [117] present a model based on GIS where the model includes a monitoring and management system. Ferreira and Barros [118] define a catastrophes detection system based on three algorithms. The first algorithm monitors the nominal value of the current, the second algorithm monitors the value of the energy in each substation and the third algorithm compares the initial and final line current.…”

A Survey on Power Grid Faults and Their Origins: A Contribution to Improving Power Grid Resilience

“…SCADA systems have an important role in EPG fault detection by measuring and processing real-time data, which will allow us to understand in which branch of the grid, or distributed energy resource, the fault occurred. With a fault monitoring system associated with and considering data collected by a SCADA system, it is possible to detect imperfections created on the grid and collect the information necessary to deal with those faults [107,108]. Another application of SCADA systems is fault detection in renewable sources, for example in wind turbines [109].…”