Performance evaluation of a distance relay as applied to a transmission system with UPFC

This paper presents analytical and simulation results of the application of distance relays for the protection of transmission systems employing flexible alternating current transmission controllers such as the unified power flow controller (UPFC). Firstly a detailed model of the UPFC and its control is proposed and then it is integrated into the transmission system for the purposes of accurately simulating the fault transients. An apparent impedance calculation procedure for a transmission line with UPFC based on the power frequency sequence component is then investigated. The simulation results show the impact of UPFC on the performance of a distance protection relay for different fault conditions; the studies also include the influence of the setting of UPFC control parameters and the operational mode of UPFC.