Short Circuit Evaluation of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System “Case Study of Nsukka Electricity Distribution Network”
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International Journal of Recent Engineering Science (IJRES) |  |
| © 2025 by IJRES Journal | ||
| Volume-12 Issue-2 |
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| Year of Publication : 2025 | ||
| Authors : Okwe Gerald, Offiah Solomon, Okafor Izuchukwu, Mustapha Abdullahi, Okebaram Protus, Inyama Kelechi, Baruch Dominic |
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| DOI : 10.14445/23497157/IJRES-V12I2P101 |
How to Cite?
Okwe Gerald, Offiah Solomon, Okafor Izuchukwu, Mustapha Abdullahi, Okebaram Protus, Inyama Kelechi, Baruch Dominic, "Short Circuit Evaluation of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System “Case Study of Nsukka Electricity Distribution Network”," International Journal of Recent Engineering Science, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 1-6, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23497157/IJRES-V12I2P101
Abstract
The complexity of the electricity grid and the exponential increase in energy demand have made the system more vulnerable to failure. This research is focused on short circuit analysis of 30- a bus Nsukka 33/11 kV electricity distribution network incorporated with a 12MW photovoltaic system. The system was designed and simulated using the Electrical Transient Analyzer Program (ETAP). The simulations of various types of faults were performed before and after integrating the PV system in the grid when the fault was applied to bus 3, 20, 33 and 34, respectively. The simulation outcome produced fault current values (kA, rms) of 5.808, 5.386, 5.030, 4.430 and corresponding values of 6.758, 6.198, 5.606, 4.632kA. It was inferred that the 3-phase fault posed the greatest magnitude of fault current and hence was chosen as the point of reference for selecting the appropriate device for optimal functionality. Furthermore, the values of fault current after the integration of PV were slightly higher because the grid operates as a near-zero impedance source and also provides safe means that disrupt the impact of the abnormal current flow of such magnitude in line with International Electrotechnical Commission's standards 60909.
Keywords
ETAP, Grid-tied, Photovoltaic system, Nominal voltage, Peak current, Short circuit.
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