Superconducting Fault Current Limiter Allocation in Reconfigurable Smart Grids
For power system operators, this work addresses the challenge of SFCL placement in reconfigurable networks, but the results are incremental and limited to a single test system.
This paper proposes a method for optimal placement of superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) in reconfigurable smart grids, minimizing the number of SFCLs and grid costs. The method uses a modified social spider algorithm and is validated on an IEEE test system.
Superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) are new high-precision and fast-response devices which help to reduce the fault current within the breaking capacity of the protective relays. Nevertheless, the reconfigurable structure of the distribution network can affect their performance negatively by changing the supplying path of the electrical loads and thus keeping SFCL in a useless point which cannot limit the high fault currents. This paper proposes an aggregated approach to solve the optimal placement of SFCLs considering the reconfiguration of feeders through the pre-located tie and sectionalizing switches. While SFCL placement problem aims to minimize the number of SFCLs and limit the high short circuit currents in the first seconds of the fault, the reconfiguration strategy is used to minimize the total grid costs incorporating the cost of power losses and customer interruptions. According to the high non-linearity and complexity of the proposed problem, social spider algorithm (SSA) with a two-phase modification method is developed to solve the proposed problem. The feasibility and performance of the proposed method are examined on an IEEE test system.