Investigation into the Implementation of Auto

Reclosing Scheme in Distribution Networks with

High Penetration of DGs
S.F. Tan
Student Member IEEE
prs.tan@rgu.ac.uk

Abstract- Renewable energy driven distributed generators (DGs)

are mostly connected to radial distribution network with
overhead feeders. It is estimated that 80% of network faults are
temporary single phase to ground faults and therefore automatic
restoration is required. A combination of automatic re-closer
devices, circuit breaker, sectionalizer and fuse is applied to clear
the temporary fault and isolate the permanent fault in order to
optimise the service continuity to customers. Investigation into
the sustainability of different DG technologies during temporary
faults on overhead network should be carried out to (i) assess the
possibility of preserving DG in services as far as possible to
optimise the electric supply continuity and (ii) identify the
requirements of automatic restoration in distribution networks
with high penetration of DGs. On the other hand, it has been
reported that future distribution networks are very likely to be
operated in ring mode in order to maximise the installed
capacity of distributed generation. The ring network operation
mode will need special considerations in network feeder
protection compared to radial network operation mode in the
context of DG. Thus the implementation of auto reclosing in ring
network with DG will also need further investigation. This paper
reports an investigation into the impact of different wind power
based distributed generations on auto reclosing schemes in MV
overhead distribution networks that are operated in radial and
ring modes. The paper is divided into two parts; the first part
present literature survey on the development of system
protection schemes in power distribution network with high
penetration of DG. The second part present results of dynamic
simulation studies on the operation of auto reclosing scheme in
network with DGs when operated in different operating modes.
A particular emphasis is placed on examining the application of
single pole auto resoling scheme in the distribution network.

I. INTRODUCTION
In the UK, a typical rural distribution network has open ring
network topology. It is designed to operate in radial operation
mode during normal network condition but switch to ring
operation mode in the event of fault condition to improve the
system reliability [1]. It is estimated that 80% of network
faults are temporary single phase to ground fault and
therefore automatic restoration is required. A combination of
automatic recloser, circuit breaker, sectionalizer and fuse is
applied to clear the temporary fault and isolate the permanent

S.K.Salman
Senior Member IEEE
sk.salman@btinternet.com

fault in order to optimise the service continuity to customers.

Three phase auto reclosing scheme had been widely used in
MV distribution network to clear the network fault. The
drawback of three phase reclosing is the temporary
disconnection of the all three phase of the fault feeder from
the rest of network during all fault condition regardless type
of fault. Thus the application of single phase reclosing
scheme (SPAR) has been investigated in MV distribution
network to maintain the service continuity to customer under
temporary single phase fault condition. Under this scheme
only the faulty phase is tripped while the healthy lines remain
connected to the network.
Continued increase of distributed generation (DG)
penetration into existing distribution networks in recent years
has resulted in bi-directional power flow and changes in
network voltage profile. These in turn caused important
impact on the operation of conventional auto reclosing
scheme in distribution network [2-5]. It has been reported that
the interconnection of DG interrupts the switching operation
of auto reclosing and prevent temporary network faults from
being cleared [3]. Currently, operation of reclosing may cause
damage to distributed synchronous generator due to out of
phase reclosing during power restoration process [3-4].
Nowadays, generation of electricity using wind power is
increasingly based on DFIG and it appears that no study has
been conducted so far to investigate the impact of DFIG on
the application of auto reclosing schemes in existing
distribution network.
On the other hand, it has been reported that in order to
maximise the installed capacity of distributed generation,
future distribution networks are very likely will be operated in
ring mode [6]. Recent investigation [7] showed that ring
network operation mode will need special considerations in
network feeder protection compared to radial network
operation mode in the context of DG. Thus the
implementation of auto reclosing in ring network with DG
will also need further investigation.
This paper reports an investigation into the impact of
different wind power based distributed generations on auto
reclosing schemes in MV overhead distribution networks that
operated in radial and ring modes. This research work is
carried out using PSCAD/EMTDC power system software.

The paper is divided into two parts. The first part deals with
assessing the dynamic behaviour of two different type of DG
technologies DFIG and FSIG during temporary fault in radial
and ring operated distribution network. The work is intended
to study the suitability of application of auto reclosing scheme
in future distribution networks which are very likely to be
operated in ring mode. The second part deals with assessing
the performance of single pole auto reclosing scheme (SPAR)
in a network with different type of DG technologies in order
to study the suitability of application of SPAR in a network
with high penetration of DG.
II. DELOPEMENT OF SYSTEM PROTECTION IN
DISTIRBUTION NETWORK WITH DG
Integration of DG into existing distribution network may
change the direction of power flow. This in turn has an
important impact on the operation of conventional feeder
protection schemes that designed based on the assumption of
simple radial network operation.
In case of distribution networks with DGs the total fault
current contribution from many small DG units can be large
enough to alter the network short circuit level and
consequently cause the malfunction of protective devices. For
instance this may include miscoordination between fuse-fuse
or fuse-recloser [2]. In reference [8], the issue of
miscoordination between a fuse and a recloser in distribution
network with high penetration of DG has been discussed. A
procedure to achieve coordination between fuse-recloser had
been suggested based on the application of microprocessorbased recloser. Adaptive feeder protection scheme for MV
distribution network with high penetration of DG was
introduced in [9]. Under this protection scheme, the network
is divided into different protection zones with reasonable
balance of load and DG. Each protection zone is separated by
circuit breaker which is equipped with commucation channel,
check synchronization and auto reclosing function. A
computer based-relay is installed at the main power
distribution substation to monitor power and current flow
and control operation of circuit breaker at each network
protection zone. Implementation of the proposed scheme will
be costly because the installation cost of communication link
between DG and distribution substation is expensive.
Conventional circuit breaker and recloser need to be upgrade
to microprocessor based-type to allow the intensive signal
communication process.
Fault contribution from embedded generation also affects
conventional feeder protection by causing unnecessary
tripping of healthy feeder and reducing the detection
sensitivity of overcurrent relay [10-11]. This is because nondirectional overcurrent relays are mostly used in feeder
protection and the presence of DG(s) may decrease the fault
current seen by the overcurrent relay causing it not operate. A
high speed fault transient based-directional overcurrent
protection method has been suggested in [12]. Under this
protection scheme, fault current transient directional signal is
detected by each overcurrent relay in the network in the event
of fault. Signals are then exchanged via the communication

link between each of these relays to confirm the exact fault

location and isolate the faulty section from the rest of the
network.
According to [13] the operating time setting of time graded
overcurrent relay is affected by the increased integration of
embedded generators into distribution network. In order to
avoid the embedded generation from tripping unnecessary,
the maximum clearing time for network fault need to be
reduced. The speed of fault clearance in existing distribution
network is not an important factor as it is in transmission
network where the system stability involved. Future
distribution network is expected to accommodate significant
proportion of embedded generations, unnecessary tripping of
these power plants will affect system stability and reliability.
Consequently further investigation into fault clearance speed
in distribution network with integrated DGS is needed. In [14]
it is proposed replacing conventional overcurrent relay with
high speed distance protection schemes. Upgrading of
existing ring main unit (RMU) in substation and replacing
existing relay with new microprocessor based-relay are
needed to implement the proposed protection scheme.
Unintentional islanding is another major issue in addition to
the feeder protection issues stated above. Unintentional
islanding refers to a condition where part of public load
becomes islanded with wind power plant caused by fault
clearance at the upstream of the distribution feeder.
Unintentional islanding is undesired and its impact on
islanded load, personnel safety, islanded DG is discussed in
[2]. Loss of main (LOM) protection refers to the protection
relay which automatically detects such condition and
disconnects the DG from the grid. Contrast to LOM
protection schemes, it is proposed in [15] to maintain the
operation of DG in both islanded and grid condition with an
adaptive generator control scheme added to DG.
It can be concluded from the literature survay that to
optimise the integration of DG into existing distribution
network a continual evaluation of existing solutions and
development of new protection algorithm for distribution
network protection is necessary. In this context, the
application of intensive communication system in distribution
network protection is unavoidable.
III. MODELLING OF POWER SYSTEM USING
PSCAD/EMTDC
In this work, simulation model of two types of wind
generator including (a) fixed speed induction generator (FISG)
and (b) doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) has been
developed using PSCAD/EMTDC. The dynamic behaviour
of wind generator is simulated using shaft torsional model in
the component library. Power factor correction (PFC)
capacitor is included in the developed FSIG model. Each of
stators and rotor side converter together with DC link
component in the power electronic converter of DFIG is
modelled appropriately. The control strategy of DFIG is that
at steady state condition, the generator absorbs modest
reactive power from the grid while the generator terminal
voltage is kept close to 1.0pu.

Fig.1 Schematic diagram of investigated system with 2.0MW wind

generator.

machine speed(p.u)

ring netw ork

1.06
1.05
1.04
1.03
1.02
1.01

31.2

22

30

tim e(s )

(a)
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4

radial netw ork

0.2

ring netw ork

31.4

0
30.3

In order to examine the transient performance of both FSIG

and DFIG under temporary fault condition, three phase to
ground fault ground is applied at F1 at feeder 1 once when it
is operated at radial and then in ring mode. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3
show the variation of generator terminal voltage and machine
speed of FSIG and DFIG during fault condition. It was found
in both of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 that these generator parameters
have regained their pre-fault values after the clearance of the
fault at F1. This result shows that the transient stability of
wind generator is maintained which means the critical
clearing time (CCT) of generator has not been exceeded. This
investigation has shown that FSIG can not retain its pre-fault

radial netw ork

1.07

22

IV. TRASIENT PERFORMANCE OF FSIG AND

DFIG UNDER NETWORK FAULT CONDITION

1.08

terminal voltage(p.u)

Fig.1 shows the power system under consideration. The

system is modelled based on 11kV rural overhead distribution
network in the UK [16]. A 2.0MW, 0.69kV wind generator is
connected at the end of feeder 1 though a 2.5MVA,
0.69/11kV step up transformer with an impendence of 6%.
The grid is represented by a voltage source with short circuit
level of 100MVA and a distribution substation represented by
a 10MVA, 33/11kV transformer with an impendence of 6%.
Each of the 0.5MVA loads supplied by feeders 1 and 2 is
connected to their corresponding feeders though 0.5 MVA,
0.415/11kV step up transformer with an impendence of 6%.
Other loads connected to other feeders are lumped together
and represented by a single load of 2.5MVA. The latter is
assumed connected at the end of a feeder though 3.0MVA,
0.415/11kV step up transformer with an impendence of 6%.
B1 to B5 are circuit breakers that located every 5km along
feeder 1 and feeder 2. The radial operation mode is
implemented by opening the B6 that located at the end of
feeder 2, whereas the ring operation mode is implemented by
closing it.

1.09

28.9

wind
gen erator
2M VA

29.1

27.7

0.5M VA

27.9

0.5M VA

5km

5km

26.6

B3

B2

26.7

F1

25.4

5km

24.3

B1

25.5

0.5M VA

0.5M VA

grid

B6
normally
open

5km

5km

23.1

feeder2

3.0M VA
B5

B4

24.4

5km

23.2

B7

condition when the fault duration is greater than 408ms in

ring network and 225ms in radial network. Meanwhile, DFIG
can not retain its pre-fault condition when the fault duration is
greater than 800ms in ring network and 519ms in radial
network. The values are therefore considered as generators
CCT for their respective network of operation. The
investigation shows the generators CCT in radial network is
much lower compared to the ring network. Therefore to
preserve the wind generator in operation (at the faulty feeder)
during fault condition, a shorter tripping time of circuit
breaker is need in radial network compared to ring network.
As shown in Figs. 2(a) and (b), the transient performance of
FSIG in both radial and ring network has no significant
difference. In the contrast, it shown in Figs. 3(a) and (b) the
transient performance of DFIG in a ring network is better
compared with that in a radial network. The magnitude of
generator terminal voltage drop is much lower in ring
network compared to radial network. The generator speed has
more oscillation when it is connected to radial network
compared to ring network.

tim e(s )

(b)
Fig.2 Variation of (a)machine speed and (b) terminal voltage of FSIG
following a three phase to ground fault at F1 in radial and ring network
with duration of 205ms and 408ms.

machine speed(p.u)

1.05
1.04

radial netw ork

1.03

ring netw ork

1.02
1.01
1
0.99
0.98
0.97
37.3

35.6

33.9

32.2

30.5

28.8

27.1

25.4

23.7

22

0.96

tim e(s)

The fault is applied 25s into simulation and cleared by

opening both B1 and B5 200ms after fault inception. Three
different recloser opening time (Tr) have been considered in
this investigation including 0.5s, 1.0s and 2.0s. According to
reference [3], in practical power distribution network, Tr
varies between 0.2 second to several seconds. Fig.4 and Fig. 5
show the variation of machine speed for FSIG and DFIG
respectively in radial network. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show the
variation of machine speed for FSIG and DFIG respectively
in ring network. It was found from Fig.4 and Fig.6 that the
variation of machine speed of FSIG at the considered three Tr
are significantly different in radial network compared to ring
network. In contrast, Fig.5 and Fig.7 show the variation of
machine speed of DFIG at the three different Tr in radial and
ring network are similar to each other. This indicates that the
effect of Tr setting in of SPAR scheme in ring network with
integrated DG is negligible. The investigation also shows that,
SPAR scheme do not affect the transient performance of both
FSIG and DFIG.

(a)
1.03

1.2

1.028
1.026
machine speed(p.u)

0.8
0.6
0.4

Tr=0.5s

1.022

Tr=1.0s

1.02

Tr=2.0s

1.018
1.016
1.014

radial netw ork

0.2

1.024

1.012

ring netw ork

31.6

30.9

30.2

29.6

28.9

28.2

27.5

26.8

26.1

25.4

24.7

24.1

22

37.2

35.7

34.2

32.6

31.1

29.6

28.1

26.6

25

23.5

22

23.4

1.01

22.7

terminal voltage(p.u)

tim e (s )

time(s)

Fig.4 Variation of machine speed of FSIG following a single phase to

ground fault at F1 in radial network .

Fig.3 Variation of (a)machine speed and (b) terminal voltage of DFIG

following a three phase to ground fault at F1 in radial and ring network
with duration of 519ms and 800ms.

1.005

V. OPERATION OF SPAR SCHEME IN THE

NETWORK WITH WIND GENERATOR
machine speed

Tr=1.0s
Tr=2.0s

0.99

0.985

32.6

32

31.4

30.9

30.3

29.7

29.2

28.6

28

27.4

26.9

26.3

25.7

25.1

0.98
24

In this investigation, the system under consideration is

divided into protection zones such that when a fault occurs at
certain protection zone it is cleared by the pair of circuit
breakers that are located at the two ends of the line section
within the protection zone. For instance, a fault at F1 is
isolated by simultaneously tripping circuit breakers B1 and B5.
Under this protection scheme, wind generator connected at
the end of feeder 1 can be maintained in service during
network fault condition. In order to asses the impact of SPAR
scheme on the transient performance of FSIG and DFIG,
single phase to ground fault is applied at F1 at feeder 1 once
when the network is operated at radial and then in ring mode.

Tr=0.5
0.995

24.6

(b)

tim e(s )

Fig.5 Variation of machine speed of DFIG following a single phase to

ground fault at F1 in radial network

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

machine speed(p.u)

1.024

The authors would like to thank The Robert Gordon

University for providing facilities. S.F. Tan would like to
thank Robert Gordon University for providing financial
support to undertake this research.
Tr=0.5

References

Tr=1.0s

1.016

Tr=2.0s

[1]
[2]
[3]
31.9

31.2

30.5

29

29.8

28.3

27.6

26.9

26.2

25.5

24.8

24.1

23.4

22

22.7

1.008

tim e(s )

Fig.6 Variation of machine speed of FSIG following a single phase to

ground fault at F1 in ring network.

VI. CONCLUSION

[4]
[5]

[6]

The literature review covered under sections II shows that

optimisation of the integration of DGs into distribution
networks requires development of new network protection
algorithms. The application of communication technology
into the distribution network protection system is unavoidable.
The results of the investigation presented in section IV show
that time setting of feeder protection devices required to
maintain the transient stability of DG, which is determined by
the generators CCT, is significantly different between ring
and radial mode of operations. The results of shown in section
V reveal that application of SPAR into power distribution
network with integrated DGs does not affect the transient
performance of DG.

[7]
[8]

[9]

[10]
[11]
[12]

1.003

[13]
1.001

[14]

machine speed(p.u)

0.999
Tr=0.5s

[15]

Tr=1.0s

0.997

Tr=2.0s

[16]

0.995

0.993

0.991

32.7

32.1

31.4

30.8

30.2

29.6

29

28.3

27.7

27.1

26.5

25.9

25.2

24.6

24

0.989

time(s)

Fig.7 Variation of machine speed of DFIG following a single phase to ground

fault at F1 in ring network.

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