A statistically-based method of control of distributed photovoltaics using synchrophasors

Despite many years of effort in the distributed energy resources (DER) industry, there remains a need for an islanding detection method that a) facilitates, rather than conflicts with, DER participation in grid support functions; b) does not degrade power quality; and c) reliably detects a loss of mains without nuisance trips. This paper describes a method that can meet this challenge. The method is a communications-based method that uses statistical analysis on synchrophasor data measured in two locations, an upstream reference point and at the DER bus. Simulation results, and laboratory and field test results are presented for one very simple implementation of the method. It is shown that the method works very well, even in its simplest form.