A novel single-ended fault identification algorithm
for full selective protection strategy

While more and more HVDC point-to-point connections are initiated worldwide, the emergence of multi-terminal grids still faces important hurdles among which the protection is seen as particularly challenging. We propose a parametric single-ended fault identification algorithm to be used in fully-selective fault-clearing strategies. The method is able to determine whether the line monitored by a relay is faulty or not using very few local measurements, making ultra-fast fault identification possible. Contrary to most existing approaches, extra inductances are not required to distinguish between faults occurring on the protected line and elsewhere. When a fault is suspected, the proposed algorithm estimates the fault distance and impedance. The estimation process uses a paramet-ric model describing the voltage and current evolution just after the fault occurrence based on the fault parameters.The identification of the faulty line is then based on the size of the confidence region of the estimated fault parameters. The performance of the algorithm for a four-node meshed grid is studied using ElectroMagnetic Transient (EMT) simulations.

Paul Verrax, Alberto Bertinato, Michel Kieffer, Bertrand Raison

Presented at 15th International Conference on Developments in Power System Protection (DPSP 2020)