Simulation of voltage sag events in distribution networks and utility-side mitigation methods

As industrialization and automation processes continue to expand, power quality parameters and voltage sags in particular become more important. Sensitive equipment trips due to voltage sags cause enormous financial loss in the industrial sector. Consequently, in consultation with ÅF Turkey, Trakya Electricity Distribution Company (TREDAS) began an R&D project on voltage sags funded by the Turkish Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA). The project aims to characterize voltage sags and perform research into sag mitigation methods. In this paper, the results of the simulation studies of a feeder located in the Thrace region are presented. The effects of short circuit faults on the development of voltage sag events and utility-side mitigation methods are analyzed through computer simulations using EMTP-RV software. Furthermore, definitions of voltage sag indices according to IEEE Std. 1564 - 2014 are given and the methods used to minimize the effects of voltage sags are explained.