Optimal coordination of time delay overcurrent relays for power systems with integrated renewable energy sources

Renewable energy sources (RES) integration into the grid is an effective way to address the progressive rise in load demand brought on by population and economic expansion; however, integrating RES could result in a nonradial power system, where current can flow both backward and forward. As a result, traditional power system analysis techniques need to be reevaluated. Changes in the load flow that affect the voltage level, equipment sizing, operating modes, and power system protection are among the effects of integrating RES on power systems. The integration of RES will alter the power flow outcomes and the short circuit levels in the power system, necessitating an upgrade to conventional power system protection techniques. Existing settings may encounter miscoordination, leading to unnecessary tripping. This study examines the effects of overcurrent time delay (TD) settings due to the integration of RES into power system protection. The use of genetic algorithm (GA) optimization has led to the development of a novel technique for upgrading/adjusting TD settings. When the short circuit is within the thermal limits of the equipment, the suggested optimization approach can be used to determine the effect of integrating RES on the present overcurrent setting and provide new settings without having to replace the current protection devices.