Anti-islanding detection scheme for distributed power generation
AssigneeVisteon Global Technologies, Inc.
InventorClark Glenn Hochgraf
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Abstract
An arrangement is provided for detecting the occurrence of an islanding condition in the connection of a distributed power generation source to an electrical power system or utility. In accordance with the present invention, a voltage or current signal is injected into the system, and the resulting system impedance is determined. The resulting determination is used as an indicator of the islanding condition. The detection arrangement allows the detection of islanding conditions even when the load is well matched to the generated power.
Claims19
A method of detecting an open circuit condition in an electrical system for power supply from a central generator and distributed power generator to a load, the method comprising:
- injecting a signal into the system;
- determining a system impedance in response to the injected signal;
- comparing the determined system impedance with a predetermined threshold;
- and
- identifying an occurrence of an open circuit or abnormal condition based on the comparison.
A system for detecting an open circuit condition in an electrical power supply system comprising:
- a central power generator arranged to generate electrical power;
- at least one distributed power generator arranged to operate as a local source of electrical power for a localized load;
- a feeder network coupled to the central power generator and the at least one distributed power generator for providing electrical power to the at least one distributed power generator;
- a signal injector connected to the power supply system and arranged to inject a signal at each phase of the generated power;
- an impedance calculator connected to the power supply system and arranged to determine the system impedance resulting from the injected signal;
- a comparator arranged to compare the determined system impedance with a predetermined threshold;
- and
- a controller arranged to identify the occurrence of an islanding condition based on the comparison made by the comparator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.