Design and Optimization of a Solid-State Fault Current Limiter for Improving Stability and Power Quality: A Case Study of Ilam Gas Refinery

Danyali, Saeed; Bozorgzadeh, Osameh; Azizi, Amirreza; Shirkhani, Mohammadamin

doi:10.22075/jme.2025.37051.2822

Design and Optimization of a Solid-State Fault Current Limiter for Improving Stability and Power Quality: A Case Study of Ilam Gas Refinery

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Saeed Danyali ¹

Osameh Bozorgzadeh ¹

Amirreza Azizi ¹^{, 2}

Mohammadamin Shirkhani ¹

¹ Department of Electrical Engineering, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran

² Department of Electrical Engineering, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

10.22075/jme.2025.37051.2822

Abstract

This paper investigates the optimal design of a solid-state fault current limiter (SSFCL) for controlling short-circuit currents in industrial power networks. The rapid increase of fault currents in power networks, due to the development of distributed generation sources and the growth of load demand, can cause severe damage to equipment. Therefore, the use of SSFCLs, which have a negligible impact under normal conditions and provide rapid limiting action during faults, has become increasingly important. In this study, a proposed topology based on the use of semiconductor switches (IGBT/SGTO) along with an intelligent control unit has been designed and simulated. Simulations were performed using PSCAD/EMTDC software under various scenarios (connection to the bus, after the transformer, and the presence of distributed generation sources), and the results demonstrate a significant improvement in network stability and a reduction in energy losses. The findings of this study can serve as a basis for improving protection systems in refineries and other energy industries.

Keywords

Fault Current Limiter (FCL)

Solid-State Fault Current Limiter (SSFCL)

Short-Circuit Current Management

Subjects

Electric Power Engineering

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