Passive islanding detection scheme based on autocorrelation function of modal current envelope for photovoltaic units

Islanding detection in power systems poses a challenge that can result in technical problems and safety hazards. This study examines a new passive islanding detection method for photovoltaic-based distributed generation (DG) units. The modal signal of the three-phase current and its envelope are calculated for a targeted DG unit. Variance in the autocorrelation of the modal current envelope (VAMCE) is used as an islanding detection criterion in the proposed method. The proposed method employs autocorrelation function (ACF) of modal current envelope (derived by Hilbert-transform-based approach) to extract the transient content. Then, the variance of the ACF is calculated, called criterion VAMCE to distinguish between islanded and normal operating conditions. The main advantage of the proposed technique is more relevant to its more accuracy and smaller non-detection zone in comparison with the other similar passive techniques. Since the VAMCE has significant variation during islanding conditions and negligible change in normal conditions, it can be used for detection of islanding condition effectively. The method was evaluated through several simulations under different islanded and normal operating conditions. The results confirm that the proposed method has better accuracy and speed compared to other similar methods.