Distribution system reliability evaluation considering protection coordination using Petri nets

Maintaining reliable and high-quality power delivery becomes increasingly complex with expanding power grids. The lack of protection coordination poses a significant threat, compromising overall system reliability. This research addresses this challenge by proposing a method for coordinating protective devices within the distribution system, specifically during network faults. The proposed approach utilizes a stochastic timed Petri net (STPN) based methodology to model protective device coordination across various fault scenarios. This technique effectively captures the dynamic behavior and interactions of protective equipment, allowing for the anticipation of potential disturbances. This proactive insight facilitates preventative measures to address prewarning situations, thereby preventing cascading failures and ultimately enhancing situational awareness. Furthermore, the study evaluates the impact of integrating protection coordination models on overall power distribution system reliability. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology, a practical implementation and validation are carried out on an ABB 14 bus distribution system.