Advancing Distance Relaying Reliability: S Transform Solution for Renewable Energy-Infused Smart Grid

Abstract

Distance relaying is a crucial component in safeguarding transmission lines globally. However, the presence of Sub-Synchronous Resonance (SSR) introduces challenges, as oscillations in voltage and current magnitudes adversely affect the performance of conventional distance relays. Detecting faults accurately during these oscillations poses a significant challenge for traditional relaying mechanisms. This paper addresses the issue of SSR-induced maloperations in distance relays, particularly in the context of the increasing penetration of renewable energy resources in smart grids. The integration of wind power into the grid generates sub-synchronous oscillations, leading to protection issues. In response, a novel solution leveraging the S transform, a modern signal processing technique, is proposed to enhance the robustness of distance relaying under such challenging conditions. The developed algorithm is implemented in MATLAB and rigorously tested on the First Benchmark Model of sub-synchronous resonance. Simulation of the model is conducted in the PSCAD simulation software, and the results are thoroughly validated in MATLAB. The study demonstrates the efficacy of the S transform-based approach in accurately identifying faults and mitigating maloperations caused by SSR, thereby improving the reliability of distance relaying in smart grids with high renewable energy integration.