Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

The protection and monitoring of power systems is an essential component to maximize continuity of service, reduce damage to the equipment and avoid system collapses. Microprocessor-based relaying technology has enabled advanced protection and monitoring of different power system equipment. The main objective of the proposed project is to develop several protection and monitoring techniques for major power system equipment such as shunt capacitor banks, series compensated transmission line and grounding system. The approach in this research program is to properly model and study corresponding power system equipment during aforementioned fault types. Based on the possible patterns or relationship of the measured signals caused by the fault, a new algorithm will be proposed, simulated and evaluated using proper software tools to detect and possibly locate the fault. Once satisfied with the results obtained through simulation, the proposed techniques will be implemented and tested in the laboratory using a relay development system, arbitrary waveform generator and modern protection relays. The main outcome of the proposed research project will be the development of advanced fault detection, location and monitoring algorithms for major power system equipment. The developed knowledge and expertise gained through this project will be transferred to the industrial partner and power system protection industries. The proposed algorithms and technologies can be commercialized as new protection elements or a module in existing industrial partner protection relays. Canadian utilities, distribution companies and industries will benefit from utilizing the proposed fault detection and monitoring techniques to minimize the damage to their equipment and reduce the maintenance time and repair cost. Finally, through this project, we will be able to enhance research at Western and UOIT in the area of power system protection and monitoring and actively contribute to the advancement of the training of future engineers and scientists, which will benefit Canada in the years to come.