Analysis of Distance Relay Performance in the Presence of DFIG-based Wind Integration

With a significant increase in wind energy penetration into the power grid, fault characteristics of the power system have drastically changed, which can raise concerns about the adequacy of conventional distance protection schemes, designed, earlier for Synchronous Generator (SG) dominated power systems. Double-fed Induction Generator (DFIG) based wind turbines, though they offer flexibility in operation and reduced converter ratings, are fundamentally different from synchronous machines in their converter-controlled and current-limited fault response characteristics. These are likely to affect distance relay dependability, speed, and reach accuracy under unsymmetrical fault conditions. In particular, the absence of sustained sub-transient fault currents and the control-dependent current…