Adaptive Differential Protection for Enhanced Fault Detection in Dc Microgrids With Etap: A Review

Abstract

DC microgrids are becoming increasingly essential in today's power systems, primarily due to their capacity to seamlessly incorporate renewable energy sources and enhance overall system reliability. However, the distinct features of DC microgrids, including the lack of current zero-crossing and rapid fault propagation, present notable challenges for conventional fault detection and protection strategies. This review paper examines adaptive differential protection as an innovative approach to improving fault detection in DC microgrids. Adaptive protection systems are designed to dynamically adjust their settings in real-time, based on current system conditions, which results in quicker and more precise fault isolation. Furthermore, the paper investigates the application of ETAP, a prominent power system simulation tool, to model and validate these adaptive differential protection frameworks within DC microgrids. Through a comprehensive analysis of recent technological advancements and practical case studies, the paper underscores the advantages of adaptive differential protection in enhancing the speed and precision of fault detection. It also discusses the existing challenges and outlines potential avenues for future research in this area, emphasizing the need for continued innovation to address these complexities.