New method to determine optimum impedance of fault current limiters for symmetrical and/or asymmetrical faults in power systems

Abstract

To select the type and value of the impedance of fault current limiters (FCLs) for power network designers, we introduce a new method to calculate the optimum value of FCL impedance depending on its position in the network. Due to the complexity of its impedance, the costs of both real and imaginary parts of FCL impedance are considered. The optimization of FCL impedance is based on a goal function that maximizes the reduction of the fault current while minimizing the costs. While the position of FCL in the network has an effect on the calculation of the optimum impedance value, the method for selecting FCL location is not the focus of this study. The proposed method for optimizing FCL impedance can be used for every network that has symmetrical and/or asymmetrical faults. We use a 14-bus IEEE network as an example to explain the process. The optimum FCL impedance used in this network is calculated by considering the vast range of costs for both real and imaginary parts of FCL impedance.

Keywords

Fault current limiter (FCL) / FCL impedance / Short circuit current / Fault current / Power system

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2018 Zhejiang University and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature