Voltage-Based Frequency Synchronization for Phasor Measurements in Microgrid Protection

Abstract

The accurate measurement of current phasors is crucial for the reliable and effective protection of microgrids. However, the presence of harmonics and variations in the fundamental frequency due to the integration of inverter-based resources (IBRs), can lead to errors in current phasor measurements in islanded microgrids. In this work, we propose a novel approach to current phasor measurement in microgrid protection that utilizes voltage-based fundamental frequency stabilization. The proposed method is based on the use of voltage measurements to synchronize a set of variable frequencies, and three-phase signals to track changes in the fundamental frequency and adjust the current phasor measurements accordingly. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method is effective in reducing errors in current phasor measurements caused by variations in the fundamental frequency, at the same time it can segregate between a fault and a tap load. The proposed method has the potential to enhance the performance of microgrid protection systems and ensure the reliable operation of microgrids.