A Passive Loss of Mains Detection Scheme for Inverter based Distribution Energy Resources

Distributed energy resources based on renewable energy have significantly developed over the past few decades because of the need to include environmentally friendly energy sources due to their advantages of clean and non-exhaustible nature of energy. Due to its unpredictable and uncertain nature, this form of generation poses technological difficulties in terms of operation and control. The integration of these distributed generating systems to the main grid comes with certain challenges, out of which Islanding/ Loss of Mains detection is of prior importance. A passive loss of mains detection technique for inverter-based distribution energy resources is proposed in this paper. The developed method constructs the islanding detection indices by considering the three-phase voltage and frequency at the Point of Common Coupling. An extensive assessment of the proposed method is conducted by using PSCAD/EMTDC simulations and field data. The proposed method has less Non-Detection Zone and is able to determine all types of events accurately. It is observed that the method is superior in terms of accuracy and speed when compared to other currently available techniques.