How renewable energy sources affect relay protections

Renewable energy sources are increasingly used for distributed generation. However, such application alters power system-wide parameters, which affects relay protection and automation as well as its configuration, ultimately preventing wider use of renewable energy. Experiments prove connecting a wind farm to a distribution grid renders RPA less sensitive or selective. Location and capacity of a connected farm are two major factors. The paper analyzes the existing approaches to protecting such systems and substantiates a need for novel RPA configuration methods and means, as the existing ones limit the deployment of new equipment, or are too complicated, or not flexible enough.