Comparative Assessment of Optimization Techniques Employed for Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays

The Directional Overcurrent Relays (DOCRs) coordination in a large distribution network is a highly constrained optimization problem. It is a challenging optimization task to discover the ideal configuration so as to reduce the total amount of time that each primary relay. The primary goal is to determine the optimum solution of relays to reduce the overall functioning duration on each primary relay being active. The calculation of the relay characteristics, limitations on relay functioning duration and relay configuration according to optimization requirements form the basis of coordination research. This study details an approach to improving the coordination between DOCRs in a multi-site distribution network. In this study, a comparative study with several optimization techniques are applied on a radial and a mesh (3-Bus, 6-Bus) system to solve coordination problem. These optimization techniques comprises Particle swarm optimization (PSO), Differential evolution (DE), Bees algorithm (BeA), Invasive weed optimization (IWO) and Teaching learning-based optimization (TLBO). Based on the findings, it is clear that the TLBO approach is the most efficient means of dealing with this type of situation.