Dev Grid Near-Term Fault Current Adequacy with Increased IBRs in Peak Solar Conditions
Gad Monga Ilunga, Daniel K. Ridenour, James Homan, Ibukunoluwa O. Korede, Katelynn A. Vance, R. Matthew Gardner · 2024
This paper investigates the impact of increased inverter-based resources (IBRs) penetration on system protection within the Dominion Energy system over a five-year period. It considers scenarios with low load, increased IBRs, and planned transmission outages, identifying potential protection shortcomings as the traditional fixed physics of conventional generation, which underpins grid protection, is altered due to the rise in IBRs. The study developed and used a Python-based automation framework wrapped around ASPEN OneLiner, a short-circuit analysis program, to perform the calculations and assess fault current adequacy. The study also recommends future strategies for maintaining system reliability amidst these changes.