Distribution Protection & Coordination Studies

Project: Distribution Protection & Coordination Studies

Integrating solar generation into multiple existing and new express feeders from substations posed a complex protection and coordination challenge.
Each feeder required precise recloser settings at the Point of Interconnection (POI) to maintain system stability, ensure safe operation, and comply with utility technical standards.
The scope included eleven (11) distinct solar interconnection projects, each with unique feeder characteristics and operational constraints.
In several locations, legacy protection devices such as outdated fuses needed to be replaced or reconfigured to support renewable integration and improve overall feeder reliability.

DST Engineers conducted detailed distribution protection and coordination studies across all project sites.
The team analyzed and configured reclosers, voltage regulators, and capacitor banks to ensure proper coordination under normal and fault conditions.
Using CYME TCC software, DST performed circuit modeling, transient stability analysis, and time-current coordination (TCC) studies to develop optimized protection settings.
DST engineers also participated in construction walk-downs and bi-weekly coordination meetings, allowing real-time issue resolution and alignment between engineering design and field execution.

DST delivered a complete, utility-ready engineering package that supported seamless solar integration and long-term system reliability.
Key deliverables included annotated GWD printouts with detailed protection device settings, updated feeder map markups, revised equipment settings sheets, CYME DIST models, and CYME TCC coordination files.
A modified transient stability analysis (CYMTCC) file was provided to validate system performance with updated protection configurations.
These efforts ensured smooth interconnection of solar generation, enhanced feeder reliability, and full compliance with operational and protection standards.

DST provided data, maps, charts, and calculations in a format easily accessible by ComEd.
DST successfully identified necessary grid upgrades and provided cost estimates for DER integration.
Throughout this program, DST ensured smooth communication and documentation, meeting regulatory and technical requirements for DER interconnection.

Contact Us