System and method for protecting a plurality of distributed generation resources

1 . A method for providing multi-layer protection from faults for a power generation plant having a first plurality of distributed generation resources electrically connected to a first feeder line, the first feeder line being electrically connected to an electrical grid via a first feeder breaker, the method comprising:

monitoring, via a system-level controller, one or more parameters at the first plurality of distributed generation resources;

upon the one or more parameters of the first plurality of distributed generation resources exceeding a first threshold or a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold, implementing, via the system-level controller, a fault protection mode, the fault protection mode comprising:

implementing a time delay, wherein the time delay is determined, via the system-level controller, based on one or more predetermined settings when the second threshold is exceeded, and wherein the time delay is determined, via the system-level controller, based on an estimated trip time within which at least one fault clearing device within the first plurality of distributed generation resources will trip on its own and an additional time delay when the first threshold is exceeded;

after the time delay, commanding, via the system-level controller, a trip of the first feeder breaker on the first feeder line when the one or more parameters of the first plurality of distributed generation resources exceeds the first threshold or the second threshold; and

exiting the fault protection mode when the one or more parameters of the first plurality of distributed generation resources are equal to or fall below the first threshold.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more parameters of the first plurality of distributed generation resources comprise at least one of voltage, current, active power, reactive power, rotor speed, electrical frequency, wind speed, light intensity, ultraviolet radiation intensity, or one or more fault codes of one or more of the first plurality of distributed generation resources.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first feeder line is electrically connected to the electrical grid via at least one main breaker, the main breaker being upstream the first feeder breaker, the fault protection mode further comprising tripping the main breaker in addition to the first feeder breaker.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring the one or more parameters of the first plurality of distributed generation resources at an upstream location of the power generation plant in response to a communication failure between the system-level controller and the first plurality of distributed generation resources.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fault protection mode further comprises:

allowing a local controller or relay in each of the first plurality of distributed generation resources, to command a first fault clearing device within each of the first plurality of distributed generation resources to trip prior to commanding the trip of the first feeder breaker.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the fault protection mode further comprises:

detecting that the first fault clearing device failed to trip, or that one or more parameters of the first plurality of distributed generation resources exceed the first threshold after commanding the first fault clearing device to trip; and

allowing the local controller or relay in each of the first plurality of distributed generation resources, to command a second fault clearing device within each of the first plurality of distributed generation resources to trip.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of distributed generation resources comprises at least of one or more wind turbines, one or more solar inverters, one or more energy storage devices, or one or more hybrid inverter-based resources.

8 . A system for providing multi-layer protection from faults for a power generation plant, the system comprising:

a first plurality of distributed generation resources electrically connected to a first feeder line, the first feeder line being electrically connected to an electrical grid via a first feeder breaker; and

a system-level controller configured to:

monitor one or more parameters at the first plurality of distributed generation resources,

upon the one or more parameters of the first plurality of distributed generation resources exceeding a first threshold or a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold, implement, via the system level controller, a fault protection mode, the fault protection mode comprising:

implementing a time delay, wherein the time delay is determined, via the system-level controller, based on one or more predetermined settings when the second threshold is exceeded, and wherein the time delay is determined, via the system-level controller, based on an estimated trip time within which at least one fault clearing device within the first plurality of distributed generation resources will trip on its own and an additional time delay when the first threshold is exceeded;

after the time delay, commanding, via the system-level controller, a trip of the first feeder breaker on the first feeder line when the one or more parameters of the first plurality of distributed generation resources exceeds the first threshold or the second threshold; and

exiting the fault protection mode when the one or more parameters of the first plurality of distributed generation resources are equal to or fall below the first threshold.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more parameters of the first plurality of distributed generation resources comprise at least one of voltage, current, active power, reactive power, rotor speed, electrical frequency, wind speed, light intensity, ultraviolet radiation intensity, or one or more fault codes of one or more of the first plurality of distributed generation resources.

10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the first feeder line is electrically connected to the electrical grid via at least one main breaker, the main breaker being upstream the first feeder breaker, the fault protection mode further comprising tripping the main breaker in addition to the first feeder breaker.

11 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the system-level controller is further configured to monitor the one or more parameters at an upstream location of the power generation plant in response to a communication failure between the system-level controller and the first plurality of distributed generation resources.

12 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the fault protection mode further comprises:

allowing a local controller or relay in each of the first plurality of distributed generation resources, to command a first fault clearing device within each of the first plurality of distributed generation resources to trip prior to commanding the trip of the first feeder breaker.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the fault protection mode further comprises:

detecting that the first fault clearing device failed to trip, or that one or more parameters of the first plurality of distributed generation resources exceed the first threshold after commanding the first fault clearing device to trip; and

allowing the local controller or relay in each of the first plurality of distributed generation resources, to command a second fault clearing device within each of the first plurality of distributed generation resources to trip.

14 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the first plurality of distributed generation resources comprises at least of one or more wind turbines, one or more solar inverters, one or more energy storage devices, or one or more hybrid inverter-based resources.