A Novel Method for Fault Detection and Location in Supercapacitor Cells

As of today, with the rise of renewable energies, power electronic based converters play a crucial role in the proper operation of power systems. They are completely necessary for the storage of electrical energy. Nevertheless, the use of such devices complicates the fault detection process, specifically in supercapacitor systems. In the early stages of a fault, changes in voltage, internal resistance, or capacitance may be minimal, making them difficult to detect using standard methods. This work proposes a new fault detection and location method between supercapacitor cells. The new method is based on a local voltage measurement of each super capacitor module. The developed algorithm is then applied in a test set up to ensure accurate fault detection and location. By calculating two matrices of the voltage derivative and integral respectively, it is possible to detect the fault and determine the affected module. The developed new method has been validated through multiple simulations in Matlab/Simulink, achieving the expected results in different simulation scenarios.