# Towards Plug-and-Play Protection for Meshed Distribution Systems with DG

## TL;DR

This paper proposes a universal, plug-and-play relay-based protection scheme for meshed distribution systems with distributed generation, eliminating the need for system-specific settings and coordination studies.

## Contribution

It introduces a communication-assisted, multifunctional relay design that adapts to all system conditions without requiring modifications or detailed coordination studies.

## Key findings

- The protection scheme works across various system configurations.
- Simulations demonstrate effective coordination without system-specific tuning.
- The approach simplifies protection setup in complex distribution networks.

## Abstract

Future distribution systems are expected to display increased complexity, mainly due to looped/meshed operation, switch between grid-connected and islanded mode and considerable integration of distributed generation. This paper investigates a plug-and-play protection solution for overhead distribution systems with such variable operation conditions, employing existing numerical relay capabilities. This solution is applied by designing plug-and-play, communication-assisted, multifunctional relays with integrated protection element settings, which apply universally to all distribution system conditions, rendering the protection scheme independent of a specific system. Hence, the need for user-defined settings or future revisions due to system changes is eliminated. The scheme ensures coordination between main line relays and backup protection of laterals, without a coordination study. There is no need to replace or modify existing lateral protection means for this purpose; only their known time-overcurrent curves are uploaded to the relays by the user. The scheme is described and evaluated through simulations in two test systems. Meaningful conclusions are finally derived.

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/1812.04430