Performing islanding detection in distribution networks with interconnected photovoltaic systems using a hybrid simulation tool

This paper demonstrates the capability of a hybrid simulation tool that can perform islanding detection studies in distribution networks with photovoltaic (PV) generation systems. The hybrid tool is constructed by interfacing an electromagnetic transient (EMT) tool with the Open Distribution System Simulator (OpenDSS) which is a phasor analysis tool developed by the Electric Power Systems Institute (EPRI). This hybrid simulation tool is developed in an effort to facilitate certain PV impact studies that require monitoring of high frequencies and fast transients without having to use a full transient model of the entire network which would require a long simulation time and introduces a significant computational burden. The paper offers an overview of the developed tool and its ability to detect islanding in networks with PV systems. The constraints and requirements of testing and simulating islanding detection techniques using the available simulation tools are discussed. A test case is presented where a distribution network with PV interconnection is modeled using both the hybrid tool and a full transient tool, SimPowerSystem. An island is created in both cases and the results are analyzed for validation and accuracy of the hybrid tool. The tool proved to be accurate in terms of capturing high frequency transients required for the implemented islanding detection as well as offering certain advantages over transient analysis tools.