Directional over Current Relay Coordination in presence of Distributed Generation Using Harris' Hawks Optimization for Adaptive Protection

One of the major issues that arises when a DG forms an integrated part of an existing distribution system is the protection of the grid system. In order to achieve the best coordination of DOCRs in connected power networks under the influence of DG, an adaptive protection coordination approach is presented in this study. The Harris Hawks Optimization (HHO) coordination technique is employed. It was chosen because HHO can handle search challenges such local optimal solutions, multi-modality, and misleading optima. With the use of adaptive relays which take into account the protection schemes that adjust settings of the relay based on the existing conditions of the system relay miss-operation can be prevented. MATLAB code using HHO technique is developed for the optimal coordination of DOCR and DigSILENT/Power Factory is used to develop the model for the adaptive protection scheme. The results support the validity of the proposed scheme to account for the DGs' uncertainty and choose the best protection settings while ensuring a minimal operating time.