IAES International Journal of Artificial Intelligence (IJ-AI)

Vol. 12, No. 1, March 2023, pp. 209~219

ISSN: 2252-8938, DOI: 10.11591/ijai.v12.i1.pp209-219  209

Comparative study of optimization methods for optimal

coordination of directional overcurrent relays with distributed
generators

Zineb El Idrissi1, Touria Haidi1,2, Faissal Elmariami1, Abdelaziz Belfqih1

1
Laboratory of Energy and Electric Systems (LESE), National School of Electricity and Mechanics of Casablanca (ENSEM),
Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco
2
Laboratory of Systems Engineering (LAGES), Hassania School of Public Works (EHTP), Casablanca, Morocco

Article Info ABSTRACT

Article history: Due to the growing penetration of distributed generators (DGs), that are
based on renewable energy, into the distribution network, it is necessary to
Received Feb 19, 2022 address the coordination of directional overcurrent relays (DOCR) in the
Revised Jul 24, 2022 presence of these generators. This problem has been solved by many
Accepted Aug 22, 2022 metaheuristic optimization techniques to obtain the optimal relay parameters
and to have an optimal coordination of the protection relays by considering
the coordination constraints. In this article, a comparative study of the
Keywords: optimization techniques proposed in the literature addresses the optimal
coordination problem using digital DOCRs with standard properties
Directional overcurrent relay according to IEC60-255. For this purpose, the three most efficient and robust
Distributed generator optimization techniques, which are particle swarm optimization (PSO),
Distribution network genetic algorithm (GA) and differential evolution (DE), are considered.
Optimal coordination Simulations were performed using MATLAB R2021a by applying the
Optimization technique optimization methods to an interconnected 9-bus and 15-bus power
distribution systems. The obtained simulation results show that, in case of
distributed generation, the best optimization method to solve the relay
protection coordination problem is the differential evolution DE.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA license.

Corresponding Author:
Zineb El Idrissi
Laboratory of Energy and Electric Systems, National School of Electricity and Mechanics
El Jadida Road, km 7, Casablanca, Morocco
Email: [email protected]

1. INTRODUCTION
The main role of protection relays is to detect and eliminate faults as quickly as possible by
transmitting an opening command to the related circuit breaker. This circuit breaker isolates the faulty part of
the network to ensure that the electrical equipment is not affected by the fault current [1]. The directional
overcurrent relay (DOCR) is the most widely used type of relay in the coordination of protection relays due
to their simplicity of application and their technical and economic characteristics [2]. The coordination of
DOCRs protection has been considered a necessity for distribution networks, as it quickly isolates the faulty
area, keeps the system safe and overcomes current faults so that the relays are reliable, flexible and
selective [3]. In a properly coordinated system, the main relay must first function on overcurrent faults within
a predefined time. After this predetermined time, known as the coordination time interval (CTI), the
emergency relay must operate to isolate the default if the main one failed to trip [4]. Relay coordination is
usually based on the evaluation of both fault currents and power flow. To optimize relay coordination, two
important parameters are considered; relay settings which include the time dial setting (TDS) and the plug

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210  ISSN: 2252-8938

setting (PS) [5]. The main objective of relay coordination is to select its optimal parameters, taking into
account the limits of these parameters, its characteristic curves and especially the constraints of
coordination [6]. Coordination of protection relays can be a complicated problem in interconnected networks
because each main relay can have more than one emergency relay and a main relay can also be the
emergency relay of another relay, whereas coordination in radial networks is very simple because each relay
is an emergency relay of downstream relays [1]. The coordination of DOCRs in an interconnected
distribution network is a constrained optimization issue, which reflects the difficulty of this problem.
The Kyoto protocol is an international agreement, which came into force in 2005, for developing
countries. It aims to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, with an emphasis on the increasing use of the
renewable energy production [7]. In this regard, the integration of distributed generators (DGs) using
renewable energy has become a global concern, given the decreasing costs of power transmission and large
power plants construction, the reduction of energy losses, and the decreasing demand for electrical energy on
the power grid [8]. Despite its many advantages, these generators have several impacts on electrical network
parameters [9], namely the impact on power flow and the modification of fault current values [10] that can
affect the operation of electrical network protection schemes. This influence can result in reduced system
reliability, increased corrective maintenance costs and poor coordination between existing protective relays
in the network [11]. The loss of coordination can lead to unnecessary disconnection of the healthy part of the
network, damage to electrical equipment, and larger fault zones [12]. To solve this problem, it is necessary to
adjust PS and TDS of the relays considering the existence of the DGs, in order to have a new optimal
coordination for the proper operation of the protection of the electrical system.
Many optimization approaches are used to determine the most appropriate coordination of DOCRs,
including linear programming (LP), two-phase simplex and double simplex methods, nonlinear programming
(NLP) and meta-heuristics. In LP, the PS parameter is assumed to be a fixed value that was calculated using
the data of maximum load currents and the fault current, which is why these methods are weakened [4].
Recently, the meta-heuristic methods used in the coordination of protective relays, show faster and more
reliable results. These methods include water cycle algorithm (WCA) [4], adaptive modified firefly algorithm
(AMFA) [3], improved firefly algorithm (IFA) [2], differential evolution algorithm (DE) [13], symbiotic
organism search (SOS) [14], genetic algorithm (GA) [7], particle swarm optimization (PSO) [15],
informative differential evolution algorithm (IDE) [16], ant colony optimization (ACO) [17], modified
particle swarm optimization (MPSO) [18] and harmony search algorithm (HSA) [19]. A thorough study of
the GA, PSO, DE, HSA, and simulated annealing (SA) optimization techniques that are implemented to
obtain the best DOCR coordination is presented in [20]. The performance of these methods has been
successfully verified for solving this problem.
This article compares optimization methods for determining the optimal parameters of DOCRs with
DGs in interconnected distribution networks. The problem has been presented in the second section, the
optimization methods PSO, GA and DE are detailed in the third section. The obtained results and discussion
are given in the fourth section, and the conclusion is provided in the fifth one.

2. COORDINATION OF DOCRS WITH INTEGRATION OF DGS

This section introduces the coordination problem formulation for relays. Which contains the relay
running time, the objective function of this issue, the coordination, reliability. Then the sensitivity constraints
that must be met to have optimal coordination, as well as the behavior of DOCRs with DGs.

2.1. Problem formulation

According to IEC60-255, the operating time of the overcurrent relay for standard characteristics is
indicated in (1). The running time of the relay is a function of two decision variables, namely TDS and PS,
and the fault current IF [21]. PS is the quotient of the pickup current Ip and the current transformation ratio
(CTR), as defined in (2). The minimization of time T, which is the summed running time of all main and
emergency relays for each fault location M, represents the DOCR coordination objective function, as
expressed in (3), where N is the number of existing relays in the system [22].
0.14
𝑡 = 𝑇𝐷𝑆 𝐼 0.02                                      (1)
( 𝐹) −1
𝑃𝑆

𝐼𝑝
𝑃𝑆 = (2)
𝐶𝑇𝑅

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Int J Artif Intell ISSN: 2252-8938  211
𝑁
𝑀 𝑝 𝑏
𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑇 = ∑ ∑𝑗=1(𝑡𝑖𝑗 + 𝑡𝑖𝑗 ) (3)
𝑖=1

The coordination constraint should be satisfied for all primary/backup relay pairs (P/B). This
constraint is indicated in (4). The CTI value depends on the type of relay (digital or electromechanical) and it
varies between 0.2 and 0.5 s. The parameters tp and tb are respectively the running time of the main and
emergency relays [23]. The reliability constraint is presented in (5), the relay must operate within a time
margin, it must respond in a minimum time tmin and it must not exceed a maximum time tmax, the relay
operating time generally varies between 0.1 and 4 s [21].

𝑡𝑏 − 𝑡𝑝 ≥ 𝐶𝑇𝐼 (4)

𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 (5)

The sensitivity constraints are presented in (6) and (7). The parameters TDS and PS must respect the
minimum values TDSmin and PSmin and the maximum values TDSmax and PSmax. The limits of TDS are
generally 0.1 and 1.1 s [24]. The limits of PS are calculated using (8) and (9), where ILmax is the maximal load
current and IFmin is the minimal fault current [5].

𝑇𝐷𝑆𝑚𝑖𝑛 ≤ 𝑇𝐷𝑆 ≤ 𝑇𝐷𝑆𝑚𝑎𝑥 (6)

𝑃𝑆𝑚𝑖𝑛 ≤ 𝑃𝑆 ≤ 𝑃𝑆𝑚𝑎𝑥 (7)

(1.25×𝐼𝐿𝑚𝑎𝑥 )
𝑃𝑆𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 {0.5, } (8)
𝐶𝑇𝑅

2
( ×𝐼𝐹𝑚𝑖𝑛 )
3
𝑃𝑆𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑚𝑖𝑛 {2.5, } (9)
𝐶𝑇𝑅

2.2. DOCRs coordination with DGs

Due to its various advantages, the integration of distributed generators into power grids has become
more widespread in the global energy sector, but they also have negative impacts on the distribution network
parameters in terms of load current and fault current level, which increases according to the capacity and
location of DGs relative to the fault [10], [25]. Therefore, power grid protection systems may be affected.
The type of DG and the characteristics of the distribution network have a significant effect on the
coordination of the protection [11]. The consequences related to the connection of distributed generators to
the network are nuisance tripping, blinding of protections and loss of coordination of the protection relays.
This can lead to a decrease in system reliability and an increase in corrective maintenance costs [26].
Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the DOCRs protection relay parameters according to the new system
configuration.

3. OPTIMIZATION METHODS FOR THE OPTIMAL DOCRs COORDINATION

This section presents the three most efficient and robust optimization methods used to solving
DOCRs coordination, which are PSO, GA and DE. These algorithms have a randomly generalized initial
population, in order to obtain the best solution by reaching the optimal point in the search space. x is the
variable vector presented in (10); D is the dimensions of each element of the population, which is the number
of variables and N is the population size.

𝑥 = {𝑥1 ; x2 ; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; x𝐷 } (10)

3.1. Particle swarm optimization

Particle swarm optimization is an optimization approach based on the social behavior of birds and
school fish, combined with the swarm intelligence. Individuals can perform extremely complex tasks when
interacting with each other because each individual has little or no wisdom [20]. Each particle is initialized
randomly with its velocity vj and its position xj. At each step, each particle moves in the D-dimensional
search space according to three criteria: its best score (Pbset), the best score of all particles (Gbest) and
random factors rand1 and rand2. In (11) and (12) are used to actualize the velocity and position of particles at

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212  ISSN: 2252-8938

each iteration k. Where c1 is the personal learning coefficient, c2 is the global learning coefficient and w is the
inertia weight.

𝑣𝑗 𝑘+1 = w × 𝑣𝑗 𝑘 + 𝑐1 × 𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑1 ( ) × (𝑃𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑗 𝑘 − 𝑥𝑗 𝑘 )

+ 𝑐2 × 𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑2 () × (𝐺𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑘 − 𝑥𝑗 𝑘 ) (11)

𝑥𝑗 𝑘+1 = 𝑥𝑗 𝑘 + 𝑣𝑗 𝑘+1 (12)

3.2. Genetic algorithm

Darwin's natural selection theory was based on the GA to find optimal solutions that should be best
suited to the objective function of the problem taking into account the constraints. At each iteration, the genes
of each individual, which are the decision variables, undergo genetic operations (selection, crossover,
mutation, and elitism) to generate new individuals better at solving the problem. In this algorithm, the
individual is estimated and receives a score referring to its competence to execute the objective function and
the constraints. The selection process consists in choosing in the middle of the randomly generated
population a series of individuals, this process is totally random and does not favour choice within the
population. In the crossing process, the two best individuals obtained during the selection process will be
chosen as parents. The fundamental role of the crossover process is the exchanging of genetic information in
order to increase the genetic variety between the population individuals. The process of mutation inserts
diversity in the population, it allows the creation of new genetic traits that are not present in any previous
generation individual, which ensures the best research in the resolution space of the system. The crossover
factor (CF) represents the probabilities that pairs of chromosomes will produce offspring and the mutation
factor (MF) represents the probabilities of a change in status of a chromosome [7].

3.3. Differential evolution

The DE algorithm represents a simple and efficient evolutionary algorithm based on natural gene
selection. The DE algorithm has been shown to be faster than other evolutionary algorithms since it involves
less mathematical operations and execution time [13]. An initial population is first randomly generated. For
each population element, a mutant vector is created using the (13),
𝑘 𝑘 𝑘
𝑇𝑋𝑖 ,𝑗 = 𝑥𝑎1 + 𝐹 × (𝑥𝑎2 − 𝑥𝑎3 ) (13)
,𝑗 ,𝑗 ,𝑗

with a1, a2 and a3 ϵ {1, 2,…, N} are three mutually different random indices and F is the mutation factor that
regulates the differential variation amplification ( x a 2 , jk − x a3 , jk ) . A crossover is inserted to increase the
variety of perturbed parameter vectors to obtain the test vector. Crossover execution on the test solution is
performed using the crossover rate (CR) and the random index randk where randk equals randi(D), as
expressed in (14) [27], the Selection of the trial solution is made using system at (15), with TFi is the trial
fitness.

𝑇𝑋𝑖,𝑗 𝑖𝑓 𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑() ≤ 𝐶𝑅 𝑜𝑟 j=𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑘

𝑈𝑖,𝑗 = { 𝑘 (14)
𝑋𝑖,𝑗 𝑖𝑓 𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑() > 𝐶𝑅 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑗 ≠ 𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑘

𝑈𝑖,𝑗 ∀𝑗 𝑖𝑓 𝑇𝐹𝑖 < 𝐹𝑖 𝑘

𝑋𝑖,𝑗 𝑘+1 = { 𝑘 (15)
𝑋𝑖,𝑗 ∀𝑗 𝑖𝑓 𝑇𝐹𝑖 ≥ 𝐹𝑖 𝑘

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSION

To ensure coordination of DOCRs in distribution networks with integrated DGs, the optimization
methods described in the previous section are applied to interconnected 9-bus and 15-bus distribution
systems with digital protection relays and standard characteristics. The PS limits are calculated using (8) and
(9), the TDS boundaries are 0.1 and 1.1 s and The CTI value for both networks is 0.2 s. The relay operating
time limits are 0.1 and 4 s.

4.1. Distribution system 9 bus

Figure 1 shows a 9-bus distribution network supplied by 100 MVA, 33 kV containing four DGs.
Each DG is designed with nominal values of 8 MVA. This system contains 12 lines with the same impedance

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Int J Artif Intell ISSN: 2252-8938  213

and 24 protection relays (R1, R2, . . ., R24). They have 44 pairs of P/B relays between them. The CTR is 500/1
for all relays.
Table 1 gives the optimal adjustments of the 24 protection relays, which are PS and TDS, obtained
by PSO, GA and DE optimization methods, while Table 2 shows the values for the running time of the main
and the emergency relays tp and tb, as well as the coordination time interval corresponding to 44 P/B relay
combinations for this optimization approach. The last two rows of Table 1 show the objective function (OF)
and the time of convergence for each method. The objective function is the total of the running times of all
main and emergency relays with the obtained optimal settings. The CTI between the main and emergency
relay running times of the 44 pairs of P/B relays for the different methods is illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 1. Diagram of a 9-bus interconnected distribution system

Table 1. Optimal relay settings obtained for 9-bus distribution network

Relay N° PSO GA DE
TDS PS TDS PS TDS PS
1 0.1640 0.5004 0.1469 0.9516 0.1011 0.9583
2 0.1690 0.6611 0.2295 0.5319 0.1767 0.5474
3 0.1597 0.6893 0.2835 0.5181 0.1122 1.1865
4 0.1757 0.7347 0.2908 0.5 0.2170 0.5021
5 0.1280 0.6597 0.2573 0.5004 0.1449 0.5028
6 0.1 1.0390 0.2280 0.5412 0.1120 0.9894
7 0.1149 0.9031 0.2612 0.5079 0.1 1.1016
8 0.1422 0.5065 0.2164 0.5 0.1547 0.5148
9 0.1626 0.8248 0.2962 0.5014 0.1930 0.6447
10 0.1254 0.9628 0.2548 0.5 0.2013 0.5156
11 0.1833 0.5729 0.21032 0.5012 0.1874 0.5226
12 0.2657 0.5 0.2208 0.5 0.1277 1.0438
13 0.1327 0.8484 0.2014 0.5046 0.1587 0.5261
14 0.2144 0.6968 0.2297 0.5 0.1918 0.5085
15 0.1628 0.5006 0.1760 0.5196 0.1348 0.5595
16 0.1713 0.7169 0.1940 0.5016 0.1690 0.5123
17 0.1 1.3394 0.1389 1.1898 0.1076 1.1521
18 0.1 1.1033 0.1280 1.1172 0.1002 1.1624
19 0.1078 1.1414 0.1402 1.0282 0.1161 1.0280
20 0.1 1.3067 0.1313 1.0457 0.1 1.0492
21 0.1424 1.2134 0.1349 1.1260 0.1011 1.4070
22 0.1 1.1033 0.1069 1.1138 0.1 1.1203
23 0.1 1.2679 0.1304 1.2663 0.1024 1.2671
24 0.1009 1.2663 0.1004 1.2842 0.1003 1.2689
OF 45.9697 52.7033 41.9191
Convergence time (s) 151.990042 84.607213 29.746952

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214  ISSN: 2252-8938

Table 2. CTI values and running times of primary and emergency relays for a 9-bus distribution network
Relay pairs Rp/ RB PSO GA DE
tp tb CTI tp tb CTI tp tb CTI
1 1/15 0.3582 0.5582 0.2 0.4072 0.6150 0.2077 0.2809 0.4898 0.2089
2 1/17 0.3582 0.6812 0.3230 0.4072 0.8461 0.4388 0.2809 0.6372 0.3563
3 2/4 0.6047 0.8057 0.2010 0.7356 1.0580 0.3224 0.5739 0.7912 0.2173
4 3/1 0.4753 0.6755 0.2001 0.7485 0.9895 0.2410 0.4397 0.6853 0.2456
5 4/6 0.5491 0.7501 0.2010 0.7702 0.9962 0.2260 0.5757 0.7976 0.2220
6 5/3 0.4379 0.6437 0.2058 0.7712 0.9764 0.2052 0.4353 0.6669 0.2317
7 6/8 0.2992 0.5012 0.2020 0.5273 0.7574 0.2300 0.3280 0.5498 0.2218
8 6/23 0.2992 0.6724 0.3732 0.5273 0.8760 0.3487 0.3280 0.6882 0.3602
9 7/5 0.3235 0.5235 0.2 0.5910 0.9010 0.3100 0.3075 0.5087 0.2012
10 7/23 0.3235 0.6724 0.3489 0.5910 0.8760 0.2851 0.3075 0.6882 0.3807
11 8/10 0.4286 0.6305 0.2020 0.6482 0.8614 0.2131 0.4695 0.6911 0.2216
12 9/7 0.5373 0.7373 0.2 0.7853 1.0867 0.3014 0.5686 0.7886 0.220
13 10/12 0.4383 1.0937 0.6554 0.6632 0.9086 0.2454 0.5303 0.9454 0.4151
14 11/9 0.6091 0.8091 0.2 0.6555 1.0792 0.4236 0.5956 0.8135 0.2179
15 12/14 0.6834 0.8834 0.2 0.5677 0.7868 0.2190 0.4579 0.6626 0.2047
16 12/21 0.6834 0.8834 0.2 0.5677 0.7837 0.2159 0.4579 0.7236 0.2656
17 13/11 0.3875 0.6480 0.2 0.4787 0.6948 0.2161 0.3828 0.6320 0.2491
18 13/21 0.3875 0.8273 0.2605 0.4787 0.7368 0.2581 0.3828 0.6712 0.2883
19 14/16 0.5524 0.8160 0.4397 0.5240 0.7387 0.2147 0.4401 0.6513 0.2112
20 14/19 0.5524 0.7600 0.2636 0.5240 0.8924 0.3684 0.4401 0.7391 0.2990
21 15/13 0.3717 0.5717 0.2076 0.4070 0.6514 0.2444 0.3200 0.5236 0.2037
22 15/19 0.3717 0.5717 0.2 0.4070 0.6875 0.2805 0.3200 0.5694 0.2494
23 16/2 0.4657 0.6657 0.2 0.4601 0.8018 0.3417 0.4039 0.6263 0.2224
24 16/17 0.4657 0.6657 0.2 0.4601 0.8288 0.3687 0.4039 0.6245 0.2206
25 17/20 0.2697 0.6712 0.4015 0.3572 0.7226 0.3653 0.2733 0.5519 0.2785
26 17/22 0.2697 0.5752 0.3056 0.3572 0.6199 0.2626 0.2733 0.5828 0.3094
27 17/24 0.2697 0.6569 0.3872 0.3572 0.6623 0.3051 0.2733 0.6537 0.3803
28 18/2 0.4068 1.4872 1.0804 0.5244 1.5791 1.0548 0.4206 1.2511 0.8305
29 18/15 0.4068 1.0564 0.6497 0.5244 1.1834 0.6591 0.4206 0.9772 0.5566
30 19/18 0.2751 0.5429 0.2678 0.3439 0.7016 0.3577 0.2849 0.5673 0.2825
31 19/22 0.2751 0.5425 0.2673 0.3439 0.5843 0.2404 0.2849 0.5491 0.2643
32 19/24 0.2751 0.6150 0.3399 0.3439 0.6195 0.2756 0.2849 0.6119 0.3270
33 20/13 0.4207 1.6686 1.2480 0.4846 1.2995 0.8149 0.3699 1.0655 0.6957
34 20/16 0.4207 1.6483 1.2276 0.4846 1.2446 0.7600 0.3699 1.1062 0.7363
35 21/18 0.3693 0.5757 0.2065 0.3399 0.7445 0.4046 0.2780 0.6031 0.3251
36 21/20 0.3693 0.6712 0.3019 0.3399 0.7226 0.3827 0.2780 0.5519 0.2739
37 21/24 0.3693 0.6569 0.2876 0.3399 0.6623 0.3225 0.2780 0.6537 0.3757
38 22/11 0.4065 1.3627 0.9562 0.4370 1.3657 0.9288 0.4102 1.2669 0.8567
39 22/14 0.4065 2.0219 1.6154 0.4370 1.4882 1.0512 0.4102 1.2626 0.8524
40 23/18 0.2601 0.5307 0.2706 0.3391 0.6857 0.3466 0.2663 0.5541 0.2878
41 23/20 0.2601 0.6110 0.3509 0.3391 0.6683 0.3292 0.2663 0.5103 0.2440
42 23/22 0.2601 0.5303 0.2702 0.3391 0.5711 0.2320 0.2663 0.5367 0.2704
43 24/5 0.5238 1.1155 0.5918 0.5267 1.6596 1.1330 0.5210 0.9389 0.4179
44 24/8 0.5238 0.9281 0.4043 0.5267 1.3947 0.8681 0.5210 1.0252 0.5042

Figure 2. CTI calculated by different algorithms for a 9-bus distribution network

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From Table 1, it is clear that the three methods give optimal values of TDS and PS that respect the
sensitivity constraint. However, it is observed that the optimization method DE has the lowest values of the
OF and the convergence time compared to the other methods. And from Table 2, it is noticed that the
reliability constraint is well verified since the operating time is within the limits indicated as well as the
coordination constraint is respected for the 44 pairs of P/B relays. It is also noticed from this table that the
values of CTI for the DE method are the smallest values compared to the other methods. Similarly, from
Figure 2, it can be seen that the values of CTI found by DE belong to the interval [0,1] whereas the values of
CTI of the methods PSO and GA belong to the interval [0,2], which explains why the method DE gives the
best result compared to the two other methods.

4.2. Distribution system 15 bus

The 15-bus interconnected distribution system presents an example of a high DG penetration
distribution system. Six 15 MVA generators with 15% synchronous reactance are connected to buses 1, 3, 4,
6, 13 and 15. Therefore, this system is composed of 42 directional overcurrent relays and 82 pairs of
main/emergency relays with 84 decision variables including 42 variables for TDS and 42 variables for PS.
More details about this system are provided in [28], [29]. This information contains the fault current values,
the current transformation ratio of the relays as well as the P/B pairs of relays.
Tables 3 and 4 show respectively the optimal relay setting of the 42 protection relays, the primary
relay running time tp and the emergency relay running time tb as well as the CTI values corresponding to 82
P/B relay combinations, for the the proposed optimization methods. Figure 3 illustrates the plot of the CTI
values. The last two rows of Table 3 show the objective function and convergence time for each method. It is
observed from Table 3 that the methods applied to this network give optimal results that respect the
sensitivity constraint given that the TDS and PS parameters are within the previously mentioned limits.
However, it is also observed that the value of OF is the smallest for DE compared to PSO and GA as well as
the convergence time is shorter for this method. From Table 4, it can be seen that the running times of all
main and emergency relays are greater than 0.1 s and less than 4 s and the coordination constraint is greater
than or equal to 0.2 s for all primary and emergency relay combinations for the studied methods, which
means that the reliability and coordination constraints are well respected. Table 4 and Figure 3 show that the
CTI values for DE have the smallest values, for the 44 P/B relay pairs, compared to the other two methods. In
Figure 3, it can also be observed that the CTI values obtained by DE vary between 0 and 1, while the CTI
values of PSO and GA methods belong to the interval [0,2], then it can be concluded that the best
optimization technique for solving the relay protection coordination problem is differential evolution DE.

Figure 3. CTI obtained by different methods for15-bus distribution network

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216  ISSN: 2252-8938

Table 3. Optimal relay settings obtained for 15-bus distribution network

Relay N° PSO GA DE
TDS PS TDS PS TDS PS
1 0.1927 1.8315 0.3898 0.5022 0.3872 0.5033
2 0.5408 0.5003 0.2380 1.1806 0.1295 2.1692
3 0.3103 0.9281 0.2869 1.0676 0.3501 0.5180
4 0.2959 0.7051 0.1529 1.1005 0.2742 0.5
5 0.1956 1.731 0.3908 0.5009 0.2571 1.0105
6 0.2824 0.5 0.3858 0.5946 0.2871 0.7981
7 0.3543 0.9234 0.3339 0.9176 0.3038 1.1323
8 0.1924 0.7828 0.3170 0.5025 0.2140 0.9936
9 0.2483 0.9330 0.3164 0.8852 0.3298 0.5060
10 0.2549 1.3245 0.3754 0.5084 0.3768 0.5099
11 0.2252 0.6843 0.3120 0.52402 0.3031 0.5488
12 0.2387 0.8271 0.3225 0.5148 0.1893 1.1826
13 0.2055 1.6410 0.3852 0.5263 0.1962 1.3537
14 0.1732 1.0571 0.3167 0.5093 0.1420 1.6141
15 0.2605 0.5889 0.2832 0.6766 0.1789 0.8464
16 0.3853 0.8544 0.4094 0.5097 0.2027 2.4877
17 0.2615 2.2424 0.4479 0.5133 0.2398 2.4995
18 0.2989 0.5308 0.2752 0.5060 0.2031 0.5583
19 0.2448 0.8197 0.3655 0.5492 0.3402 0.5061
20 0.2041 1.0261 0.1624 1.3124 0.2685 0.5148
21 0.2656 0.8212 0.3586 0.5062 0.28752 0.5353
22 0.2647 1.3518 0.4133 0.5 0.4055 0.5663
23 0.2884 1.0653 0.4192 0.5009 0.2858 0.5012
24 0.6646 0.5454 0.3353 1.1196 0.2718 1.1967
25 0.3427 0.9108 0.4763 0.5013 0.2543 1.0744
26 0.3431 0.6694 0.3792 0.5128 0.2787 0.9207
27 0.3167 1.0306 0.3894 0.5046 0.1838 1.7407
28 0.3554 0.5 0.2998 1.1362 0.3333 0.6306
29 0.2211 0.8242 0.2955 0.5315 0.2420 0.5585
30 0.2916 1.0476 0.4513 0.5697 0.3884 0.5418
31 0.4326 1.1043 0.3517 1.2376 0.3897 0.6185
32 0.3863 1.1638 0.4378 0.5607 0.4478 0.5044
33 0.4334 1.1040 0.5137 0.5061 0.2545 1.3557
34 0.3121 2.1595 0.4075 0.6290 0.3625 0.6644
35 0.2015 2.0121 0.4292 0.5 0.3486 0.5075
36 0.2693 1.1582 0.4165 0.5112 0.2870 0.5397
37 0.2614 0.9556 0.2434 1.3877 0.2770 0.5531
38 0.3865 1.4028 0.5288 0.5025 0.4567 0.5080
39 0.2973 1.2232 0.3269 1.1476 0.1814 2.1229
40 0.2258 1.6106 0.4641 0.5081 0.3811 0.5674
41 0.6453 1.3827 0.5337 0.5875 0.4952 0.5005
42 0.3100 1.0622 0.2753 1.0453 0.1832 1.5253
OF 117.8449 115.1764 100.6638
Convergence time (s) 202.854672 178.830934 45.534464

Table 4. CTI values and running times of primary and emergency relays for a 15-bus distribution network
(Continue…)
Relay pairs Rp/ RB PSO GA DE
tp tb CTI tp tb CTI tp tb CTI
1 1/6 0.5230 0.7251 0.2020 0.6896 1.0616 0.3719 0.6854 0.8992 0.2138
2 2/4 1.0011 1.2013 0.2002 0.5813 0.8453 0.2640 0.4072 0.9223 0.5151
3 2/16 1.0011 1.2011 0.2 0.5813 1.0278 0.4465 0.4072 1.2442 0.8370
4 3/1 0.6388 0.8396 0.20098 0.6177 0.9222 0.3045 0.6086 0.9167 0.3081
5 3/13 0.6388 0.9983 0.3595 0.6177 0.8820 0.2643 0.6086 0.8941 0.2855
6 4/7 0.6161 0.9330 0.3169 0.3703 0.8772 0.5068 0.5146 0.8703 0.3557
7 4/12 0.6161 0.8161 0.2 0.3703 0.8875 0.5172 0.5146 0.7900 0.2754
8 4/20 0.6161 0.9359 0.3198 0.3703 0.8926 0.5223 0.5146 0.8381 0.3235
9 5/2 0.5376 1.5050 0.9674 0.7076 1.0275 0.3199 0.5777 0.9094 0.3317
10 6/8 0.5025 0.7025 0.2 0.7206 0.9325 0.2119 0.5857 0.8967 0.3110
11 6/10 0.5025 0.9956 0.4931 0.7206 0.9406 0.2120 0.5857 0.9450 0.3593
12 7/5 0.7717 0.9717 0.2 0.7257 1.0133 0.2875 0.7096 0.9157 0.2061
13 7/10 0.7717 1.0593 0.2876 0.7257 0.9791 0.2533 0.7096 0.9838 0.2742
14 8/3 0.4051 0.9050 0.4998 0.5841 0.8911 0.3070 0.4878 0.8129 0.3251
15 8/12 0.4051 0.7971 0.3919 0.5841 0.8706 0.2865 0.4878 0.7678 0.2801
16 8/20 0.4051 0.9072 0.5020 0.5841 0.8601 0.2760 0.4878 0.8201 0.3324
17 9/5 0.5145 1.0450 0.5306 0.6448 1.0528 0.4080 0.5721 0.9648 0.3927
18 9/8 0.5145 0.7878 0.2734 0.6448 1.0226 0.3778 0.5721 1.0234 0.4513
19 10/14 0.6143 0.8143 0.2 0.6690 0.9868 0.3178 0.6720 0.9424 0.2704

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Int J Artif Intell ISSN: 2252-8938  217

Table 4. CTI values and running times of primary and emergency relays for a 15-bus distribution network
Relay pairs Rp/ RB PSO GA DE
tp tb CTI tp tb CTI tp tb CTI
20 11/3 0.4659 0.9244 0.4586 0.5951 0.9115 0.3164 0.5861 0.8269 0.2409
21 11/7 0.4659 0.9335 0.4677 0.5951 0.8776 0.2826 0.5861 0.8708 0.2848
22 11/20 0.4659 0.9368 0.4709 0.5951 0.8936 0.2985 0.5861 0.8386 0.2526
23 12/13 0.5312 0.8231 0.2919 0.6181 0.9177 0.2995 0.4788 0.7052 0.2264
24 12/24 0.5312 1.4513 0.9200 0.6181 0.9596 0.3414 0.4788 0.8007 0.3219
25 13/9 0.5473 0.7582 0.2109 0.7023 0.9435 0.2412 0.4850 0.7863 0.3013
26 14/11 0.4062 0.7856 0.3795 0.5889 0.9557 0.3668 0.3916 0.9485 0.5569
27 14/24 0.4062 1.5649 1.1588 0.5889 1.0589 0.4700 0.3916 0.8861 0.4945
28 15/1 0.5019 1.1142 0.6123 0.5691 1.0689 0.4998 0.3860 1.0627 0.6768
29 15/4 0.5019 1.1665 0.6645 0.5691 0.8125 0.2435 0.3860 0.8999 0.5140
30 16/18 0.8497 1.3972 0.5476 0.7690 1.2453 0.4763 0.6924 0.9831 0.2908
31 16/26 0.8497 1.0558 0.2061 0.7690 1.0392 0.2702 0.6924 1.0041 0.3117
32 17/15 0.7617 1.2445 0.4828 0.7895 1.4993 0.7097 0.7333 1.1457 0.4124
33 17/26 0.7617 1.1715 0.4098 0.7895 1.1400 0.3505 0.7333 1.1345 0.4012
34 18/19 0.5153 0.7250 0.2097 0.4685 0.9189 0.4504 0.3548 0.8297 0.4749
35 18/22 0.5153 0.7222 0.2068 0.4685 0.7987 0.3303 0.3548 0.8137 0.4589
36 18/30 0.5153 0.7201 0.2048 0.4685 0.9072 0.4388 0.3548 0.7690 0.4141
37 19/3 0.4845 0.9552 0.4708 0.6449 0.9438 0.2989 0.5873 0.8489 0.2616
38 19/7 0.4845 0.9611 0.4766 0.6449 0.9035 0.2586 0.5873 0.8987 0.3114
39 19/12 0.4845 0.8479 0.3634 0.6449 0.9154 0.2705 0.5873 0.8276 0.2403
40 20/17 0.4394 0.7739 0.3346 0.3802 0.7974 0.4172 0.4709 0.7457 0.2748
41 20/22 0.4394 0.6395 0.2 0.3802 0.7305 0.3503 0.4709 0.7419 0.2711
42 20/30 0.4394 0.6443 0.2049 0.3802 0.8271 0.4469 0.4709 0.7019 0.2310
43 21/17 0.5186 0.8968 0.3781 0.6113 0.8713 0.2600 0.4974 0.8706 0.3732
44 21/19 0.5186 0.7236 0.2050 0.6113 0.9173 0.3060 0.4974 0.8283 0.3309
45 21/33 0.5186 0.7189 0.2003 0.6113 0.9060 0.2947 0.4974 0.7679 0.2705
46 22/23 0.6223 2.1725 1.5502 0.7157 1.7221 1.0064 0.7265 1.1746 0.4481
47 22/34 0.6223 1.6425 1.0202 0.7157 1.0922 0.3764 0.7265 0.9933 0.2668
48 23/11 0.6631 0.8675 0.2044 0.7619 1.0426 0.2806 0.5196 1.0367 0.5172
49 23/13 0.6631 1.0787 0.4156 0.7619 1.0723 0.3104 0.5196 0.8966 0.3770
50 24/21 1.2617 1.7479 0.4862 0.8035 1.6088 0.8052 0.6674 1.3393 0.6718
51 24/34 1.2617 1.4622 0.2006 0.8035 1.0261 0.2226 0.6674 0.9320 0.2646
52 25/15 0.7649 0.9650 0.2001 0.8834 1.1359 0.2525 0.6013 0.8271 0.2258
53 25/18 0.7649 1.2317 0.4668 0.8834 1.1018 0.2184 0.6013 0.8631 0.2618
54 26/28 0.6922 0.8922 0.2 0.7068 1.0879 0.3811 0.6232 0.9171 0.2939
55 26/36 0.6922 1.1699 0.4777 0.7068 1.1839 0.4771 0.6232 0.8351 0.2119
56 27/25 0.7730 1.0415 0.2684 0.7513 1.1373 0.3861 0.5552 0.8355 0.2803
57 27/36 0.7730 1.0747 0.3017 0.7513 1.1180 0.3667 0.5552 0.7876 0.2324
58 28/29 0.6407 1.0107 0.3700 0.6982 1.0418 0.3436 0.6421 0.8758 0.2337
59 28/32 0.6407 1.2344 0.5936 0.6982 1.0358 0.3376 0.6421 1.0207 0.3785
60 29/17 0.4327 0.7702 0.3375 0.5109 0.7950 0.2841 0.4240 0.7419 0.3179
61 29/19 0.4327 0.6333 0.2006 0.5109 0.8176 0.3068 0.4240 0.7406 0.3166
62 29/22 0.4327 0.6369 0.2042 0.5109 0.7283 0.2174 0.4240 0.7396 0.3157
63 30/27 0.6532 1.2775 0.6243 0.8366 1.0994 0.2628 0.7099 1.0756 0.3657
64 30/32 0.6532 1.6800 1.0267 0.8366 1.2936 0.4570 0.7099 1.2639 0.5540
65 32/27 0.9550 1.1584 0.2033 0.8073 1.0246 0.2173 0.7196 0.9372 0.2176
66 31/29 0.9550 1.3655 0.4105 0.8073 1.3058 0.4985 0.7196 1.1050 0.3854
67 32/33 0.9764 1.7972 0.8208 0.8643 1.4378 0.5735 0.8565 1.2067 0.3501
68 32/42 0.9764 1.5160 0.5395 0.8643 1.3310 0.4668 0.8565 1.2093 0.3528
69 33/21 1.0322 1.2324 0.2002 0.9533 1.2491 0.2958 0.6543 1.0313 0.3769
70 33/23 1.0322 1.3133 0.2811 0.9533 1.2642 0.3109 0.6543 0.8621 0.2078
71 34/31 0.9301 1.4912 0.5611 0.7803 1.2875 0.5072 0.7053 1.0342 0.3289
72 34/42 0.9301 1.2242 0.2941 0.7803 1.0772 0.2969 0.7053 0.9166 0.2113
73 35/25 0.6387 1.1081 0.4694 0.8158 1.1945 0.3786 0.6656 0.8934 0.2277
74 35/28 0.6387 0.8904 0.2517 0.8158 1.0847 0.2688 0.6656 0.9150 0.2494
75 36/38 0.6371 1.1541 0.5169 0.7608 1.0792 0.3184 0.5323 0.9353 0.4029
76 37/35 0.5775 0.7776 0.2001 0.6144 0.9168 0.3024 0.5166 0.7484 0.2318
77 38/40 1.0442 1.2689 0.2248 1.0054 1.3304 0.3251 0.8711 1.1468 0.2757
78 39/37 0.7545 1.0167 0.2622 0.8100 1.2044 0.3944 0.5826 0.8183 0.2357
79 40/41 0.6165 1.7335 1.1170 0.8570 1.0630 0.2060 0.7265 0.9405 0.2140
80 41/31 1.5237 1.7237 0.2 0.9630 1.5022 0.5392 0.8555 1.1556 0.3001
81 41/33 1.5237 1.7267 0.2030 0.9630 1.3986 0.4357 0.8555 1.1531 0.29756
82 42/39 0.7104 0.9140 0.2036 0.6275 0.9765 0.3490 0.4800 0.7453 0.26530

5. CONCLUSION
This paper proposes three different optimization methods, PSO, GA and DE dealing with the
problem of coordination of directional overcurrent relays. These techniques are applied on two distribution
networks with 9 and 15 buses integrating distributed generators in order to determine the most efficient

Comparative study of optimization methods for optimal coordination of … (Zineb El Idrissi)

218  ISSN: 2252-8938

method to solve this problem with the integration of DGs, the objective function and the time of convergence
obtained by each method are compared between them. The comparative analysis shows that the differential
evolution gives optimal values of the objective function and a shorter convergence time compared to the
other methods for both distribution networks. Even more, the CTI values obtained by DE are found to be the
most optimal, which explains the choice of DE as the method that offers the most satisfactory results among
the methods investigated in this work. Therefore, DE can be regarded as the most efficient method to reach
the best solution respecting the constraint of coordination between relays in the presence of DGs.

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BIOGRAPHIES OF AUTHORS

Zineb El Idrissi graduated with a state engineering degree in Electrical

Engineering in 2016 from ENSEM University Hassan II of Casablanca-Morocco. She is
presently a PhD scholar in the “Electrical Networks and Static Converters” research team at
ENSEM. Her researches are focused on the integration of distributed production in
distribution grids and their effect on the protection coordination, the optimal settings of
protection relays. She can be contacted at email: [email protected].

Touria Haidi received a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1988 from EHTP,

Casablanca, Morocco, a post-graduate certificate in information processing in 1992 from Ben
Msick, University Hassan II, a Specialized Master in Information Systems in 2005 from EHTP
and a Habilitation to University Research (HDR) in 2018 from ENSEM. Currently, she is a
Professor of Electrical Engineering at EHTP and teaches Electrical Engineering and Electrical
Machines. Her researches are focused on renewable energy and electrical networks. She can
be contacted at email: [email protected].

Faissal Elmariami graduated with a PhD and Engineering degree in Electrical

Engineering, he received a Habilitation to University Research (HDR) from ENSEM. He is
presently a teacher-researcher in the electrical engineering department at ENSEM. He is
member of "Electrical networks and static converters" research team. His research focuses on
the stability of electrical systems and smart grids. He can be contacted at email:
[email protected].

Abdelaziz Belfqih graduated with a PhD and Engineering degree in Electrical

Engineering, he received a Habilitation to University Research (HDR) from ENSEM. He is
presently a teacher-researcher in the electrical engineering department at ENSEM. He is
member of "Electrical networks and static converters" research team. His research focuses on
electrical networks and smart grids. He can be contacted at email: [email protected].

Comparative study of optimization methods for optimal coordination of … (Zineb El Idrissi)