This paper proposes a fault-location method based on smart feeder meters with voltage sag monitoring capability. The main idea is to explore voltage measurements from monitors placed in different buses of distribution systems to estimate the fault location. The estimation is achieved by relating the voltage deviation measured by each meter to the fault current calculated based on the bus impedance matrix, considering the fault in different points. In order to improve the method accuracy, the loads are represented by constant impedance models and included into the bus impedance matrix. The performance of the proposed method is demonstrated by using a real distribution system. Sensitivity studies results show that the method is robust since it has good performance for different values of fault resistance, quantity, and location of the smart meters.

This paper presents a detailed comparative analysis between synchronous and induction machines for distributed generation applications. The impacts of these generators on the distribution network performance are determined and compared by using computational simulations. The technical factors analyzed are steady-state voltage profile, electrical power losses, voltage stability, transient stability, voltage sags during unbalanced faults, and short-circuit currents. The results showed that the best technical choice depends on the network characteristics, i.e., the main factors that may limit the penetration level of distributed generation.

This paper investigates the efficiency of under/over frequency relays for protection of distributed synchronous generators considering islanding detection and frequency-tripping requirements. Comparison between frequency and vector surge relays, which are islanding detection-dedicated devices, shows that the former can be as effective as the latter. This feature supports the idea that frequency relays can replace vector surge relays for islanding detection purpose. In this case, frequency relays must also meet the generator manufacturer recommendations and the utility frequency-tripping requirements. In order to investigate the relay capability to meet both necessities, it is proposed the concept of application region, which defines a region in the detection time versus active power imbalance space where frequency-based relays can be adjusted to satisfy the anti-islanding and frequency-tripping requirements simultaneously. The paper also presents a set of formulas to determine directly the application region.

This paper proposes a method for determining the coordination of the rate of change of frequency (ROCOF) and under/overfrequency relays for distributed generation protection considering islanding detection and frequency-tripping requirements. The method is based on the concept of application region, which defines a region in the trigger time versus active power imbalance space where frequency-based relays can be adjusted to satisfy the anti-islanding and frequency-tripping requirements simultaneously. This method can be used to optimally determine the instantaneous and time-delay settings of different frequency-based relays in a unified manner. The application region can be also employed to evaluate how much an existing frequency-based protection scheme violates one of the above-mentioned requirements. In addition, it can be used to set different combinations of frequency-based relays in order to make the distributed generator frequency-based protection system as efficient as possible, since it respects the region that satisfies both requirements

Determination of the utility harmonic impedance based on measurements is a significant task for utility power-quality improvement and management. Compared to those well-established, accurate invasive methods, the noninvasive methods are more desirable since they work with natural variations of the loads connected to the point of common coupling (PCC), so that no intentional disturbance is needed. However, the accuracy of these methods has to be improved. In this context, this paper first points out that the critical problem of the noninvasive methods is how to select the measurements that can be used with confidence for utility harmonic impedance calculation. Then, this paper presents a new measurement technique which is based on the complex data-based least-square regression, combined with two techniques of data selection. Simulation and field test results show that the proposed noninvasive method is practical and robust so that it can be used with confidence to determine the utility harmonic impedances.