Machine Learning Methods for Fault Diagnosis in AC Microgrids: A Systematic Review

AC microgrids are becoming increasingly important for providing reliable and sustainable power to communities. However, the evolution of distribution systems into microgrids has changed the way they respond to faults and hence their protection requirements. Faults in microgrids could hinder operation stability and damage the system components. The types, locations, and resistances of faults, as well as microgrid operation modes, distributed generation penetration levels, load changes, and system topologies, all affect how the microgrid responds to faults. In order to offer quick restoration and to protect the microgrid components, fault detection and classification are therefore essential for microgrids. In this direction, unconventional methods such as artificial intelligence have been increasing in popularity over the last years. Pattern recognition is a methodology that machine learning as an approach to artificial intelligence is concerned with. The combination of protection with machine learning may be motivating in order to achieve the goal of intelligent operation in the smart grid. In this paper, fault detection, classification and location methods are reviewed for microgrid application. Different methods applied for both fault location and fault classification are being classified by the implemented technique. Such methods are explained and analyzed providing the main advantages and disadvantages of each category. Additionally, the research trends in both fields are analyzed and state–of–the–art methods from each category are thoroughly compared. Finally, the research gaps and future directions are identified.