Network protection performance audits under high levels inverter-based generation systems

The paper presents a comprehensive methodology designed to identify protection risks in systems with high IBG penetration. It begins with an interoperability framework that automates the transfer of protection settings from a central protection settings database to power system analysis software, avoiding manual data entry and eliminating transcription errors. The

Colombian protection database contains over 9,000 relays, including CT/PT specifications and unique IDs that support precise topological mapping. Integrating this volume of data into PF requires efficient parameter handling, which is addressed by the proposed SuperMapping technique. SuperMapping consolidates all settings for a relay family and automatically generates mapping lists for each device using scripted routines. With PF’s PsmsExport function, relay settings and CT/PT data can be imported in about 90 seconds per relay, compared to roughly 10 minutes manually, providing scalability for large‑scale protection audits.

After data integration, the methodology performs automated protection simulations across multiple fault scenarios. It evaluates relay coordination using a rule‑based expert matrix derived from standards, operational experience, and national regulations. The matrix examines tripping times and identifies issues such as underreach, overreach, delayed clearing, or incorrect zone operation. Evaluations consider fault type, resistance, location, and scheme configuration to ensure adherence to protection principles of selectivity, sensitivity, and reliability. Large short‑circuit sweeps under various operating conditions generate results that are consolidated into diagnostic reports, highlighting miscoordination patterns and assigning a performance score.

To prioritize risks, the methodology incorporates a configurable criticality index that quantifies the severity of each simulation case. The index evaluates six criteria: operating margin and time, protection scheme type and quality, historical failure rates, systemic impact of outages, unmet load percentage, and local IBG penetration. Each case is categorized into four levels— low, moderate, high, or critical—helping engineers focus on the most severe vulnerabilities and enabling proactive corrective actions.

The methodology was validated using a transmission system with nine generators, six lines, and six busbars protected by distance and overcurrent schemes. Five scenarios were examined, beginning with no IBG and progressing through incremental IBG additions of 200 MW. The automated analysis, completed in under two hours, successfully identified the most critical situations using the proposed index. Results confirmed that increasing IBG penetration reduces

SCR, weakens grid robustness, and heightens the risk of protection misoperations, underscoring the need for improved methodologies to maintain reliability in modern power systems.