Application of Intentional Islanding Algorithm for

Distributed Energy Resources in Disaster Management

M. Ankush Kumar Dr. A. Jaya Laxmi
Fulltime Research Scholar Professor, Dept. of Electrical & Electronics Engg. &
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Coordinator, Centre for Energy Studies,
JNTUH College of Engineering, Hyderabad. JNTUH College of Engineering, Hyderabad.
Telangana, India. Telangana, India.
[email protected] [email protected]

Abstract— Over a decade, the role of electrical power plays a basics, like cooking the family meal, water heaters, cooling
major role in modern day life. Even a momentary power outage system, communication systems and heating our homes, to
can create chaos, revenue loss, and loss of life. A temporary key infrastructure services like petrol pumps, and modern
stoppage of power can be more disastrous when it comes to life- conveniences like automatic doors and many more.
support systems in places like hospitals and nursing homes, or in
co-ordination facilities such as in airports, train stations, and Most of the electrical loads like lights, automatic doors,
traffic control. Power outages occur due to many causes like communication devices, power backup devices and DERs or
natural disturbances, internal power surges, manmade RES basically work on DC power. With this view many
disturbances, and line faults and many more. Among all, the researchers developed LVDC distribution systems to improve
power outages due to natural causes will remain from weeks to the reliability of the distribution systems including DERs [2],
months. Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) will be a best [3]. To obtain power from DERs, it requires identifying the
solution for this situation to obtain alternate power in post healthy parts and the disaster affected parts of the network and
disaster conditions [1]. DERs considered can be Renewable creating islands or sub islands of the healthy network.
Energy Sources (RES), Diesel Generators and storage devices
(batteries or fuel cells) etc., depending on the availability. On the Literature shows that, researchers concentrated on
other hand, as most of the DERs provide power in the form of islanding detection techniques to identify the island created by
Direct Current (DC), Low Voltage DC (LVDC) power for the DER [4]-[7]. There is no control over the loads included in
distribution system is getting popularity. the created island and the technique only detects the island
created. To obtain control over the loads getting included in
In this paper, IEEE recommended distribution system the island, a new algorithm is proposed in this paper. This
for interconnecting DERs is designed. The standard of the algorithm creates islands/sub-islands by connecting loads in a
system is IEEE Std 1547.6-2011. An algorithm is proposed for sequence and if the load/distributor is found faulty it will
intentional islanding of loads in LVDC distribution system. This isolate the load/distributor from the DER. The healthy
island can be a single or multiple sub-islands. loads/distributors will be connected to the DER creating
islands or sub-islands.
Index Terms— DERs, RES, Solar Photo Voltaic (PV), LVDC,
Intentional Islanding.
II. IEEE RECOMMENDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR
INTERCONNECTING DERS
I. INTRODUCTION
In 1920 to provide highly reliable electric service to
Natural disasters are disasters, which is a unpredicted concentrated load centres secondary distribution networks
phenomena that mankind must address. Unfortunately, many were first developed. These were primarily used in the
important services like Medical services, transportation downtown areas of major cities. They are classified as spot
(people and goods) and electricity are disturbed during and
networks and grid networks (also referred to as area networks
after the disasters. Restoring these services is of top priority,
and street networks). An area Electric Power System (EPS)
which is a growing concern about the power supply
availability. Literature shows that, even a damage of less than may have multiple grid networks operated independently
1% of the equipment of complex grid network, results in from one another within a city. Customers take service from
power outages of longer durations from days to weeks [1]. In the network at the secondary network voltage level, with no
these situations alternate power can be obtained from DERs, interposing transformer. Grid networks serve many customers
which form locally confined micro grids at distribution level. over a dispersed area. A spot network serves one or a limited
The day-to-day activities that rely on electricity are from the number of customers at one location. In either case, network

This work is carried out for the project of Disaster management under
Centre of Excellence (TEQIP-II) in JNTUH College of Engineering,
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, Kukatpally,
Hyderabad.

978-1-4673-8848-1/16/$31.00 ©2016 IEEE

service increases reliability compared to other forms of It is shown by many researchers that if the no. of
service. Traditionally, area EPS secondary networks were not conversion stages is reduced by implementing LVDC
designed to accommodate generation. Many concerns are distribution system, then the overall system losses will be
associated with the application of DER on secondary reduced comparatively. A practical implementation of DC
networks. The operating strategy for integration of DER into residential loads connected to Standalone PV System is
a spot network requires positive power flow from the network carried out. A comparative analysis for both technical and
into the facility. DER interconnection should not cause economical performances of DC loads with AC residential
inadvertent operation of the network parameters. To address loads is obtained. Published results and the literature conclude
these IEEE has provided recommendations and guidelines for that the implementation of an LVDC distribution system is
more beneficial than an AC system [9], [10].
interconnecting DERs on the distribution secondary
networks, including both spot and grid networks. The
standards of the system are given as IEEE Std., 1547.6-2011
[8]. The block diagram of IEEE recommended practice
system is shown in figure 1.

Figure 2. Concept of an LVDC Distribution System [5].

Figure 2 shows the concept of an LVDC distribution

system. In Contrast with the conventional AC system, LVDC
system requires power electronic devices at specified
locations. The DER and different types of loads are also
required to be connected to the DC mains through the power
electronic converters.

IV. MODIFIED IEEE RECOMMENDED SECONDARY

DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Figure 1. (IEEE Std 1547.6-2011) IEEE Recommended Practice for
Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems
It is observed that the IEEE recommended practice system
Distribution Secondary Networks [8]. works with AC supply and the loads connected are also AC. In
order to implement the concept of LVDC distribution system,
This system is designed using MATLAB/Simulink for power electronic devices are added at required locations in
implementation of proposed algorithm. IEEE recommended practice system. The loads are also
modified to work with DC power. The modified IEEE
III. LOW VOLTAGE DC (LVDC) DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM recommended system is shown in figure 3.
LVDC distribution system on comparison with
It is observed from figure 3 that, the modifications made to
conventional AC system has following advantages: the IEEE system are shown in red colored circle. The
• High value of efficiency is obtained modified system is designed with three DC feeders with three
• System is more Reliability loads on each feeder i.e., nine DC loads are connected through
• Less stages of power conversion individual breakers. Power electronic device which is
• Sustained power supply is delivered to loads considered here is a Rectifier (represented as R) to convert AC
The alternative sources like photovoltaic power generation, power to DC power. If the power is unavailable from DER,
wind power generation, and electric vehicles come under then the AC power drawn from main grid is rectified and
RES. In order to use these resources to generate and use DC supplied the DC loads. If the power is taken from DERs or
Voltage, they must interface with DC distribution systems. Batteries, then it is readily available in DC.
When dealing with DC-based sources and devices, this It is also observed that the position of DER is changed but
method is more efficient than the existing AC system. The it is connected as a parallel source, the way recommended in
demand for the application of DC distribution system to IEEE practice system. It is assumed here that, during disaster
domestic loads has increased because of the above said or its aftermath the main grid is in OFF mode. In this situation,
advantages. if the DER starts supplying power to loads by automatically
The Low-Voltage DC (LVDC) network was first forming islands without knowing the disaster affected loads or
established in 2005 in Finland, with 1kV intermediate LVDC healthy loads, DER may be tripped.
distribution system.
 In order to avoid this situation, it is required to obtain Series connected cells provides increased output voltages
control over each and every load. By creating islands/sub- and parallel connected cells increases currents. The current
islands intentionally, the disaster affected loads can be isolated generated in normal conditions by the array, given by equation
from the DER. 2, is calculated based on the temperature and radiation falling
on panel. The current Id is the current flowing through the
diode connected across the current source in PV cell
equivalent circuit; this current is given by equation 3. The
diode saturation current Io is given by the equation 4.

IPV = (Ipv,nk¨T)G/Gn (2)

Id = Io[exp(qV/kT)-1] (3)

Io= (Isc+ki¨T)/exp[(Voc+ ki¨T)/Vt]-1 (4)

Where Ipv,n, is the light generated current at nominal

condition (usually at 25°C and 1000 W/m2 ), ¨T=T-Tn (actual
and nominal temperatures) G and Gn (actual and nominal
irradiations) falling on the surface of the array [W/m2]. Ipv,n is
calculated from the equation 5.
Figure 3. Modified IEEE Recommended Practice for Interconnecting
Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems Distribution Secondary Ipv,n=((Rp+Rs)/Rp)Isc,n (5)
Network incorporating LVDC Distribution.
To obtain the accurate characteristics of solar cell, series
V. DESIGN OF STANDALONE PV SYSTEM resistance Rs must be of small value and parallel resistance Rp
should be greater value. I-V curve of the PV cell is shown in
Due to its inexhaustible and environmental friendly nature, figure 5.
standalone PV system is considered as DER in this work.
Solar array is made of series and parallel connections of solar
cells in large scale. Designing of such complicated array in
MATLAB/Simulink becomes a challenge. To avoid this
complications solar array can be implemented in MATLAB
with the help of equivalent circuit. Equivalent circuit of PV
cell is given in figure 4.

Figure 5. I-V curve of PV Cell.

This model consists of a current source and a parallel

diode which is simple, accurate and flexible to simulate with
power converters.

Figure 4. Equivalent Circuit of PV Cell. VI. PROPOSED ALGORITHM

The basic equation that describes the characteristics of an An algorithm is proposed in this paper to control the
ideal PV cell [11] is given by equation 1. switching of individual loads/distributors to create islands/sub-
islands. It is assumed here that, during disaster or its aftermath
I = Io[exp((V+IRs)/Vt)-1]-(V+IRs)/Rp (1) the network is shutdown. In aftermath to restore power with
DERs, the algorithm verifies each individual load to supply
Where Vt=NskT/q power and makes a decision. The flow chart of the proposed
Vt is the thermal voltage across the panel with Ns number algorithm is shown in figure 6.
cells connected in series.
 Algorithm works based on a ‘for’ loop. This loop is
designed for no. of switches to be controlled. Every time this
loop turns ON each individual switch based on the previous
execution status of the switch, verify whether the parameters
are in limits or not. If the limits are violating or switch is in
OFF mode in previous execution, it will turn OFF the switch
and disconnects the load/distributor else keeps the load
connected to DER by turning the switch ON. The decision
made is stored in a memory block.

VII. SIMULATION AND RESULTS

A. System Design
The modified IEEE recommended practice system
including LVDC distribution system shown in figure 3 is
designed in MATLAB/ Simulink. This is shown in figure 7.

Figure 7. Simulink Model of Modified IEEE Recommended Practice for

Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems
Distribution Secondary Network incorporating LVDC Distribution.

It is observed from the figure 7 that, secondary substation

is powering three medium voltage feeders of 11 kV through
breakers. The power is further distributed to loads after
stepping down to a voltage of 230 V L-N (440 V L-L). A
single phase line is considered as a radial distributor,
supplying power to residential loads. Three loads (residences)
are connected on each distributor through respective switches.
In order to represent the impact of natural disaster, one of the
loads (residence) of the second distributor is assumed to be
flooded and the distributor is in contact with ground. This is
Figure 6. Flowchart for the Proposed Intentinal Islanding Algorithm.
represented as a LG fault in our work. If a LG fault occurs on
any one distributor, the complete three phase supply from
substation is disconnected through a three phase breaker. The C. Design of Algorithm
power from DER is supplied to the individual distributors The algorithm to control each individual switch of
rather than to the 11 kV feeder. In the aftermath of disaster, loads/distributors is written with the help of commands in a
the power is restored to the healthy loads from DER by ‘function block’ of simulink. The voltage, current parameters
forming two sub-islands. Distributor one and distributor three read from individual loads and the stored data of previous
are created as two sub-islands and powered through DER. A execution are taken as inputs. Based on these parameters a
PV Array is considered as a DER to obtain alternate power for decision is made in this block to either switch ON or switch
the distributors. OFF the load to form islands/sub-islands. Switching pulses
generated for three distributors and nine loads are observed in
B. Standalone PV System as DER
scopes.
Mathematical model of PV cell and its various parameters
are designed in MATLAB/Simulink using the equivalent D. Results
circuit. The considered solar panel model for this work is ND- In post disaster situation, it is assumed that the breakers of
1240Q2 [11]. Specifications of this panel are given in table 1. main grid are open. In these situations when the algorithm is
run, it identifies the second distributor as faulty and first and
TABLE I. SPECIFICATIONS OF PV PANEL third distributors as healthy. Two sub-islands for two healthy
distributors are formed. The switching pulses generated for
Parameters of PV Panel
three distributors are shown in figure 9.
Rated
Value
Open Circuit Voltage Voc 37.5 V
Short Circuit Current Isc 8.61 A
Maximum Output Power 240 W
Voltage at Maximum Power 30.2 V
Current at Maximum Power 7.95 A

The power generated by the PV, modelled as an

equivalent current source is controlled by controlling the no.
of series cells i.e., Ns and no. of parallel panels i.e., Np Figure 9. Switching Pulses generated for three distributors D1, D2 and D3.
variables. The characteristic equations that describe the array
are designed using suitable math operations from the It is observed from figure 9 that, the switching pulse for
Simulink library. distributor 1 and distributor 3 are ‘1’ or ON and for the
distributor 2, as fault is applied, due to parameter violation it
generates ‘0’ or OFF. The switching pulses generated for
individual load switches are ‘0’ or OFF for distributor 2.
Switching pulses for the individual load switches of distributor
1 and distributor 3 are ‘1’ or ON. These are shown in figure
10.

Figure 8. Simulink Model of PV Equivalent Circuit.

The PV equivalent circuit model, shown in figure 8 is

simulated for the following test conditions:
• Temperature - 25°C and
• Maximum Irradiation - 1000 W/m2.
The power generated by the PV system is supplied to the
loads when the grid is not available. In the normal operating
conditions, the power generated by PV is stored in batteries Figure 10. Switching Pulses generated for individual loads switches of three
for future utilization. distributors.
 It is observed from figure 10 that, the loads of distributor 2 VIII. CONCLUSION
are found faulty and switch is OFF to isolate from DER. Two This paper proposes a new algorithm for creating
sub-islands of distributor 1 and distributor 3 are supplied islands/sub-islands in the aftermath of disasters. LVDC
power from DER. distribution system is incorporated in modified IEEE
The voltage applied and currents consumed by the loads recommended practice system for interconnecting DERs
are scoped individually. As per the limitations, voltage, which is designed using MATLAB/Simulink. The proposed
current and calculated power of one load of healthy distributor algorithm is applied to the modified IEEE system to create
and one of faulty distributor are shown in figure 11 & 12 islands/sub-islands. Results obtained prove the algorithm to be
respectively. These waveforms will be similar for the more efficient, as it controls the switching of individual
remaining healthy and faulty distributor loads. breakers and creating islands, rather than just detecting a
created island.

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