Evaluation of Symmetrical Components Theory in Power Systems with Renewable Sources

Abstract: Rapidly growing Inverter- Based Resources (IBR) have different fault properties compared to Synchronous Generators (SG). Therefore, it is necessary to study the fault behavior of systems that contain different types of IBR and compare it to the conventional system responses in order to understand what steps should be taken to adapt conventional protection settings for new types of sources. For a two bus model, it is found out that sequence profiles in a system with one IBR are different from those observed in conventional system. Thermal and electrical limitations of the power electronics reduce the fault current from the IBR significantly, driving negative sequence current to small values compared to conventional sources. This is true for all studied types of IBR. Moreover, if IBR is connected to the grid through one line only, during Three Phase Fault (3hp) it is possible to lose synchronism with grid due to erroneous estimation of the grid angle through the Phase-Locked Loop (PLL). Verification of the obtained results is made through comparison to the Fault Recordings taken from the protection relays placed at substations. It is shown that for some faults simulation results can predict the behavior of symmetrical components in the network whereas for others they do not. To explain the latter behavior modifications to the sequence networks are proposed.