Multi-Agent System-Based Adaptive Numerical Relay Design and Development, Part II: Hardware

Abstract

Integrating multiple feeders and power sources into the electrical grid necessitates more robust protection systems. Existing numerical relays require manual reconfiguration of each relay for any network or protection setting modifications and are unable to effectively coordinate fault clearance when bidirectional energy flow is present. One of the major contributions of this work involves integrating adaptive protection features that enable automatic updating of protection configurations across all relays for any network configuration change, eliminating the need for manual adjustments and enhancing fault clearance coordination. This article, which is Part II of the series of articles derived from the research work conducted to develop a multi-agent system (MAS) based adaptive protection relay, delves into the hardware design of an adaptive protection relay. The complementary Part I article has covered the firmware aspect of the developed relay by providing a detailed discussion of the implemented adaptive algorithms. The hardware design encompasses various crucial modules, including the power supply, processor, digital input and output, analog input, and the Human–Machine Interface (HMI) modules. STM32MP157 microprocessor is utilized as the central processor handling all the firmware of the adaptive protection relay. Various adaptive protection coordination tests have been successfully conducted on the developed hardware modules.