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An accurate model of electric arc furnaces (EAFs) is required to analyse their impact on the system's power quality. One of the well‐known approaches to model EAF is using the power balance equation. This model has two terms, each one has a coefficient named the model parameter. Also, both terms are powered to values, which are called model orders. So, the model includes two model parameters and two model orders. Model orders highly affect the modelling precision. The optimum model orders have not been obtained yet in previous studies. Here, based on many actual records from EAFs, the best model orders for refining, melting, and scrapping stages are attained. Unlike the original power balance equation which has constant model parameters, the first proposed model uses the attained optimal model orders with the time‐varying model parameters. In the second proposed model, the model orders are also considered time‐varying. Model parameters, which are updated every 10 ms, are obtained using autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models. The correctness of the models is assessed by calculating some important electric quantities using the actual data and the proposed models. Finally, the time‐varying parameters are generated using two MATLAB codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal coordination of the protection devices (PDs) is performed here simultaneous with optimal allocation of them and the DGs. The PDs are a set of directional overcurrent relays (DOCRs) and voltage relays, each with its own fast switch (FS). In previous optimal DG placement studies the coordination of the PDs has been considered as a constraint. So, it was not possible to optimal coordination of the PDs simultaneously. In the present study, the coordination between the PDs is considered in calculating the value of the energy not supplied (ENS) that is a part of an overall cost function. The cost function considered here includes cost of purchase, installation, and maintenance of the DGs and the PDs, cost of the energy losses, cost of the ENS, cost of the purchased energy from the main grid and the DGs, and the penalty cost for emitting environmental pollutants. Here, output of the renewable DGs and the network loads during the year, in a 96‐h model, has been considered as variable. To solve the desired optimization problem, an algorithm based on evolutionary algorithms such as genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed. Finally, various cases have been simulated by considering a standard 33‐bus radial network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The algorithms of the present generation of practical differential relays are based on two methods. The first method is based on the ratio of the harmonic content of the differential current, and the second one is based on the length of the time interval between the zero‐crossing points of the differential current, called the gap‐detection method. However, these methods suffer from the installation of the fault current limiters (FCLs) in the power system and current transformer (CT) saturation phenomenon. This paper deals with a simple practical method for differential relays to secure their performance. In the suggested method, a classifying algorithm is used to categorize the input signal of the relay and then the best method of the present generation of differential relays is employed. By this simple decision, the method takes the advantage of harmonic‐based and gap‐detection methods, while avoiding their drawbacks. To prove the robustness of the suggested method, a test bench with a resistive solid‐state fault current limiter (SSFCL) is implemented and examined in different situations. The results validate the consistency and the accuracy of the modified technique not only in the absence and the presence of the FCL but in the case of CT saturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric arc furnace (EAF) is one of the most disturbing loads in the power system as it is highly time‐varying and nonlinear. In this paper, new models based on the instantaneous EAF voltage and current, recorded from EAFs in Mobarakeh steel company in Isfahan/Iran are proposed. The focus of this paper is on developing efficient models based on the Schwarz model where three modified types are proposed. The original Schwarz model has four constant parameters. Unlike the original Schwarz model which uses invariant parameters, the time‐varying nature of the arc's parameters is considered in the proposed models. The first modified model has two constant model orders and two time‐varying coefficients. Additionally, to further enhance the model's accuracy, in the second modified model, six parameters include three constant model orders, and three time‐varying coefficients exist. The third model uses all the original model's parameters as time‐series parameters. The parameters of the time‐varying model are derived using autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models. The accuracy of the proposed model is evaluated by calculating the active power, harmonics, instantaneous flicker, and short‐term flicker. Finally, three MATLAB codes are provided to generate the model parameters time series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DC series arc faults are known as a great threat to photovoltaic (PV) systems. Due to component aging and the high level of dc voltage, the occurrence of dc series arc fault is a serious concern in PV generation units. This article deals with driving effective dc series arc models from the original Nottingham arc model using the recorded practical data in a PV system. The original Nottingham arc model has three constant parameters and suffers significant inaccuracy for modeling the series arc faults. To avoid the inaccuracy in the modeling, at first, a Nottingham model is developed that is relevant to voltage and current of the fault with three parameters including one constant model order for exponents of the current and two time-series coefficients. Also, to further improvement in the model's accuracy, a two-fold Nottingham model is proposed that is relevant to voltage and current of the fault with five parameters including two constant model orders for exponents of the current and three time-series coefficients. Finally, a full-time-variant Nottingham model is proposed that mathematically contains three time-series parameters including one time-variant model order of the current exponent. In the full-time-variant Nottingham model, the optimal parameters corresponding to each sliding window of data are utilized. In all the proposed models, the arc coefficients are estimated using a new formulation using the least-squares error technique. Verifying the effectiveness of the proposed models through actual data, the accuracy of the proposed models is compared with the original Nottingham model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the major challenges in grid-connected wind farms is the flicker emission caused by the reactive power extremely short time variations. A general used solution is installing a static volt-ampere reactive (VAR) compensator (SVC) as the most cost-saving device, which still holds the risk of incomplete reactive power compensation subject to the operating delay time. To this end, an accurate extreme short-term reactive power forecasting structure is essential. Although there are many studies related to the forecasting of wind power in long, medium, and short terms, however, the extremely short-term reactive power prediction of the wind farms is only addressed in few studies. The main aim in this article is to develop a method based on the convolutional neural network (CNN) to directly learn nonstationary and complex features from the raw wind farm reactive power time series and to contribute a predictive controller to mitigate the voltage flicker through an SVC connected to the wind farm. However, high sensitivity of typical mean-squared-based loss functions might lead to considerable errors in the forecasting. To resolve this issue, a modified loss function is proposed to enhance the performance and, consequently, an improved CNN is presented. The evaluation of the proposed method is based on the actual recorded data of a wind farm in Manjil, Iran. The data are directly used in the modeling of the wind farm. A current source, which is based on the actual records its amplitude and phase angle change every 0.01 s, is utilized to model the wind farm. The numerical results in terms of flicker sensation and short-term flicker perceptibility (Pst) measurement are used to verify the performance of the proposed method through comparison with the wind farm performance without SVC and SVC with a common control system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the utilization of printed circuit board Rogowski coils (PCBRCs) for differential protection of electric arc furnace (EAF) transformers in Mobarakeh Steel Company (MSC), Isfahan, Iran. Because of a high level of current (in the range of 100 kA) in the EAF transformers in the MSC, employment of differential protection is quite challenging. Conventional current transformers (CTs) cannot offer reliable performance for very high current levels. The PCBRCs are a branch of Rogowski coils (RCs) that can be manufactured with high precision using computer‐aided design approaches and have the capability for the measurement of very large currents. In this study, we have designed and manufactured two sets of PCBRCs to measure current in the primary and secondary sides of the EAF's transformers in the MSC. The PCBRCs are followed by a signal condition circuit (SCC) which includes a low‐pass filter, amplifier, and voltage‐to‐current (V‐to‐I) converter block. Thanks to the SCC, the high current of the transformers can be properly sensed and transmitted over a long cable that connects the PCBRCs to the relay. Furthermore, a novel model is suggested for the EAF that includes characteristics of both time and frequency domain models. The suggested model is developed using a large number of recorded data from the MSC and can model the non‐linear and time‐variant behaviours of the EAF. The proposed PCBRCs, SCC, and EAF modelling are evaluated by some simulations and experiments in the MSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differential protection, as the key protection element in the power transformers, has always been threatened with sending false trips subjected to external transient disturbances. As a result, differential protection needs an additional block to distinguish between internal faults and external transient disturbances. The protection system should, first, be able to perform based on raw data, second, be able to learn fully temporal features and sudden changes in the transient signals, and, third, impose no assumption on noise. To address these challenges, a fast RNN, namely fast gated recurrent neural network (FGRNN). By removing reset gate in the gated recurrent unit (GRU), the proposed network is capable of learning abrupt changes in addition to significantly reducing the computational time. Furthermore, a loss function based on an information theory concept is formulated in this article to enhance the learning ability as well as robustness against non-Gaussian/Gaussian noises. A generalized form of mutual information is also adopted to form a noise model-free loss function, then incorporated with the designed deep network. Simulated and experimental examinations engaging various external factors, in addition to comparison between the proposed FGRNN, GRU, and seven firmly established methods indicates the faster and more reliable performance of the proposed algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the penetration level of the inverter‐based distributed generations (IBDGs) into microgrids (MGs) is increasing, the protection issues of such networks have become more challenging. The present work aims to design a protection framework for fault detection and classification in IBDG dominated MGs. In the proposed approach, the current waveforms measured from one end of the protected lines are processed using superimposed components. Then, the faults are identified using the Euclidean distance concept. A Pearson correlation coefficient‐based approach is also developed to characterize the faulty phases in the proposed fault classification unit. Furthermore, an auxiliary index is defined to discriminate load change conditions from the faults. In addition to being simple and efficient, the proposed technique is highly capable of functioning in different MG operating modes and configurations without changing its settings. Also, it demonstrates robust performance against IBDG impacts, noises, and stimulating fault scenarios. To assess the scheme proficiency, a modified IEEE 15‐bus system with highly penetrated IBDGs is simulated. The results confirm the quickness and high accuracy of the proposed technique. Moreover, the method is validated in an experimental laboratory test bench. Finally, the superiority of the method is confirmed by a comparative study with other recent methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Series arc faults (SAFs) are the most common faults in photovoltaic systems. If a SAF is not detected in time, it may lead to some catastrophic damages to the system. This article presents a new method for detecting SAFs in photovoltaic systems based on determinism in the voltage signal. The determinism of the signal is derived using the recurrence plots method. The recurrence plots provide a two-dimensional plot of the signal, from which the degree of determinism in the signal is derived as a criterion for detection of SAFs. The performance of the method is evaluated using plenty of experiments carried out in different SAF and normal conditions. The results confirm the high accuracy, high speed, and low computational burden of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with a new approach to tackle the challenges encountered in the filters-based reactive power calculation techniques utilized in the control system of static VAr compensators. In this approach, step and time-varying responses are improved by a combination of differential and filter-based methods. Then, optimum values of the main parameters of the low-pass and band-stop filters are determined considering three criteria: accuracy, speed, and capability for following the time-varying loads. To assess the performance of the proposed method, a new objective function is introduced, calculated for two sets of signals, captured from a real field in Mobarakeh Steel Company in Isfahan/Iran. Then, the proposed and the other reactive power calculation methods are assessed in practice and simulation. Also, the algorithm is implemented using a TMDSCNCD28335 as the processor to assess the real-time feasibility of the method. To do so, the reactive power variation of an electrical arc furnace is emulated in a prototype test bench and the algorithm is run in real-time by the processor during the system operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article puts forward a new algorithm based on Kullback–Leibler divergence (KLD) for discriminating inrush and internal fault currents in power transformers. Specifically, the main idea of this algorithm is to utilize the current signal discrepancy of the distribution with ideal fault current waveforms. To such an aim, the proposed index reproduces the differential current signal. Utilizing fast modified least squares technique, the differential current signal is generated. Applying the reconstructed differential current and ideal sinusoidal waveforms to the KLD indicator, the distribution discrepancy of the current signal from ideal sinusoidal waveform discriminates inrush and internal fault currents. Also, the internal/external identification index is introduced that utilizes the phase content of the signals from current transformers (CTs) on both sides to distinguish internal and external faults, especially the faults accompanied with CT saturation. As a result, the proposed method can distinguish inrush currents, internal and external fault currents with/without CT saturation, and internal fault currents during transformer energization. The performance of the proposed index is evaluated using practically recorded data and is further compared with the state of the art. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate modelling of the Electric arc furnace (EAF) is necessary to study its impact on the power systems. Here, a new model for the EAF is presented in which both non‐linearity and time‐varying characteristics are taken into account. The model consists of seven parallel current sources which represent the fundamental and harmonic currents. Magnitude and phase of the fundamental harmonic and magnitude of the second to seventh harmonics are considered as time‐varying which are updated every 0.01 s. To do so, the actual data recorded from eight EAFs in the Mobarakeh steel company (MSC), Isfahan, Iran are used. Autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models are employed to derive the parameters of the time‐varying model. Also, different orders and coefficients of the ARMA model are considered at each run of the model, which enables the proposed model to predict the non‐stationary and stochastic behaviours of the EAF over long‐time periods. It is shown that the proposed combined time‐varying‐harmonic model can even model the generated inter‐harmonics. To evaluate the accuracy of the proposed model, the derived power spectral density (PSD) of the EAF time‐varying parameters, the instantaneous flicker, and short‐term flicker by the proposed model are compared with the actual recorded data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stochastic nature of some input variables dictates the requisite of probabilistic analysis in power systems operation and planning. Wind generation is considered as a main source of intermittency in power systems due to the uncertain nature of wind speed. The proposed probabilistic optimal power-flow (POPF) method investigates spatial correlation among sources to attain more practical output distributions. The method established reduced-discrete point estimate method (RDPEM) along with the Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) in order to attain the stochastic characteristic of optimization’s outputs. Despite needing less computational effort, highly accurate results can be obtained, while there is no prerequisite for probability distribution of the input random variables. In order to more validate the efficiency of the proposed method, the Gram–Charlier (GC) expansion is used to compare the outputs’ cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) that are obtained from Monte Carlo (MC) with RDPEM methods. The performance and precision of the proposed solution are ascertained by comparison with those of Monte Carlo with discrete LHS (MCDLHS) in a hybrid IEEE 14-bus test system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study tries to outline a comprehensive approach established on the kinetic energy of the distributed generations (DGs) for islanding mode detection in micro-grids. More specifically, the proposed index calculates the rate of change of kinetic energy over reactive power (ROCOKORP) for each DG at the point of common coupling (PCC). Despite the islanding detection being the most challenging issue during complete match between the load and generation of DGs, the proposed method can swiftly deal with such an issue, therefore confirming its superiority. Other challenging conditions where islanding detection can either be difficult or confused with other events such as loads inside the non-detection zone (NDZ), various fault types, and loads at various power factors have also been considered to investigate the effectivity of the proposed approach. The proposed method’s performance has been verified and evaluated in comparison to the state-of-the-art via a simulation testbed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power delivery interruption and catastrophic failures are some of the potential consequences of undetected faults in photovoltaic (PV) arrays. A voltage protection scheme with the minimum number of sensors which is capable of detecting, classifying, and locating line-to-line (intrastring and cross string), line-to-ground, and open-circuit faults in a utility-scale PV array is proposed in this article. The proposed protection scheme consists of three steps. In the first stage, by a simple and efficient algorithm occurrence of any disturbance in the system is detected using some voltage sensors. At this stage, faulty strings in the PV array are also identified. In the second step, using a new least squares-based method, fault and shading conditions are discriminated from each other. Finally, in the third step, the faults inside the faulty string are located using a new method based on multiclass artificial neural networks. Fault location methods that have been developed so far require a large number of sensors or additional equipment for the exact location of faulty modules inside the fault string, but in the proposed method, only one sensor is used per string for fault localization. The proposed scheme for detection and location of faults is evaluated by simulating a typical system in different conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

So far, the overall operation time of relays has been used as the objective function in all directional overcurrent relays (DOCRs) optimal coordination problems. However, it cannot guarantee that in an optimal coordination of DOCRs at presence of distributed generations (DGs), the reliability indices will reach the minimum value. The reason is the existence of DGs voltage protection at their connection point to the network. This protection plays a key role in determining participation of DGs in improving network reliability during fault conditions. However, in the previous studies in which the overall operation time of relays is considered as the objective function, the voltage protection of DGs is not taken into account. In this article, coordination between DOCRs and their interactions with the DGs voltage protection is considered in calculation of the energy not supplied (ENS). Also, instead of the overall operation time of the DOCRs, the ENS value is considered as the optimization objective function. A probabilistic hourly seasonal model has been used to model the renewable DGs and the network loads. Various scenarios have been simulated to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method over a standard 33-bus radial distribution network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DC series arc faults are known as a great threat in photovoltaic (PV) systems that may lead to fire and electric shock hazards. This article concentrates on driving effective models based on Cassie and Mayr equations for dc series arc using actual recorded data. Despite Cassie and Mayr equations that use invariant parameters during arc modeling, the proposed models employ the combinations of both Cassie and Mayr equations in which the time-variant nature of arc’s coefficients is taken into account. While the original Cassie and Mayr equations have two influential parameters for arc modeling, the first model presents a developed Cassie–Mayr equation with three parameters. Also, to further improvement in the model’s accuracy, the second model presents a developed Cassie–Mayr equation with five parameters. While the first and second models provide more prevision comparing with the original Mayr and Cassie–Mayr modeling, a third model is presented that treats with parameters of the original model as time-series parameters. To obtain the arc’s coefficients, a new formulation for coefficient estimation based on Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) algorithm is presented. Evaluating the proposed models with the actual recorded data, the results show the proposed models have more accuracy in comparison with the original Mayr and Cassie–Mayr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]