Formal analysis of protection systems in power distribution networks

Protection systems in power distribution networks (PDNs) are responsible for monitoring the electrical networks, detecting faults, and tripping the breaker to isolate the faulty section of the network. Ensuring reliability and safety in these Multi-agent systems (MAS) based protection systems is vital for smooth functioning of PDNs during emergency situations. Therefore, we propose to use probabilistic model checking, a formal verification technique, to provide a methodology for rigorous analysis of MAS-based protection systems. In this regard, we have developed formal Markovian models of all the major protection system components that can be used to model, analyze, and verify MAS-based protection systems. To illustrate the usefulness of these models, we have used them to verify and compare the reliability and safety of an auxiliary algorithm with the conventional protection algorithm using the PRISM model checker. The results show that the auxiliary algorithm is more reliable and safer than the traditional algorithm.