Comparison of Superconducting Fault Current Limiter and Dynamic Voltage Restorer for LVRT Improvement of High Penetration Microgrid

For a high penetration microgrid, improving its low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) capability under some minor or temporary faults can contribute to reinforcing power support and reducing network instability. In this paper, the comparison of a superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) and a dynamic voltage restorer (DVR) for LVRT capability enhancement of a 10-kV microgrid is conducted. Concerning the microgrid which includes distributed photovoltaic generation, energy storage and loads, the effects of the SFCL and the DVR are compared in detail, and related theoretical analysis, simulation study, and economical evaluation are carried out. From the demonstrated results, the suggested two devices can both assist the microgrid to achieve the LVRT operation, but the economics of the DVR are weaker than the SFCL. Moreover, compared to the DVR, the SFCL enables the energy storage unit to offer better control effects in power stabilization. From technical and economic perspectives, the SFCL is a more preferable choice than the DVR.