Nondetection Zone Analytics for Unintentional Islanding in a Distribution Grid Integrated With Distributed Energy Resources

Given the progressively deeper integration of distributed energy resources (DERs), evaluating the potential unintentional islanding hazards in distribution networks becomes increasingly important for distribution system planning and operations. In this paper, a rigorous theoretical analysis is used to devise a DER-driven nondetection zone (D²NDZ) method, which is then implemented through a data-driven learning-based approach. Test results indicate that D²NDZ can quickly and effectively estimate the nondetection zones for any given distribution feeders, while avoiding numerous and time-consuming electromagnetic transient simulations. D²NDZ software has been deployed in Eversource Energy, a major power utility company in the northeastern U.S. In practice, D²NDZ reduces utilities engineers’ case study time from months to just a few minutes.