Fault Detection and Localization in Der-Penetrated Distribution Networks Using Dwt and Rmt

The widespread penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs) has significantly transformed distribution networks into multi-source, multi-node architectures. This shift has greatly affected the operational dynamics and fault characteristics of the whole power system. In particular, the integration of inverters into the network introduces high-order harmonics related to the switching frequency, posing challenges to conventional fault detection and localization approaches. This paper explores a new data-driven approach for fault analysis of DER-integrated distribution networks, considering the changes in fault characteristics caused by DERs. It combines the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and random matrix theory (RMT), which shows high robustness against harmonic interference and adaptability to complex system conditions. Case studies on the enhanced IEEE 33-bus system highlight the effectiveness of our proposed approach in detecting and localizing faults within DER-penetrated distribution networks.