Optimal Co-Ordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays in Distribution Network Using Whale Optimization Algorithm

Modern power distribution networks are incredibly complex due to the growing incorporation of distributed generators in the past few years. The coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays (DORs) in interconnected systems with many relays is significantly hindered by this complexity. In a nonlinear and constrained optimization problem, optimal DOR coordination is essential for protecting such complex systems and necessitates rigorous constraints. In order to address the optimal coordination problems of DORs, this study suggests using the Whale Optimisation Algorithm (WOA), a bio-inspired metaheuristic technique. WOA can optimize the fitness function in electrical engineering applications by taking insights from the humpback whales’ hunting strategies. Using various fault data from 3-bus, 9-bus, and 30-bus standard systems, the effectiveness of WOA in promoting optimal DOR coordination is assessed. The main objective is to delineate the implementation of WOA to deal with DOR coordination problems. As a result, we are not comparing WOA's performance against any currently used algorithms. Rather, we use three case studies to test the algorithm's effectiveness with various population sizes and maximum iterations. The outcomes convincingly show that WOA is highly efficient in reducing the total period that primary relays are required to operate.