IMPACT ANALYSIS OF DISTRIBUTED GENERATORS ON THE PROTECTION AND STABILITY OF POWER SYSTEMS

Abstract

This thesis analyses the implications of increasing distributed generator (DG) penetration on the power system protection and stability. The impacts of DG integration on the protection of distribution networks are addressed through two different approaches by a) proposing new adaptive protection schemes that are capable of accurate fault analysis and b) optimally placing the DGs considering the network constraints and retaining the existing protection schemes. The potential impacts of high renewable DG penetration on the stability of bulk power networks are investigated to ensure secure operation of the network. The effects of employing large-scale fluctuating DGs such as photovoltaics in place of conventional generators on the network stability are studied using small signal and transient stability analysis. Based on the impacts of residential rooftop and utility scale photovoltaic generators on the steady state and transient conditions of the network, the best optimal dispatch index of the conventional generators is suggested.