ITS Electrical Engineering Department Doctor, Isa Hafidz when presenting the results of his Power Grid Network Protection dissertation at the Doctoral Promotion Open Session

ITS Campus, ITS News — Isa Hafidz, a doctoral student from the Department of Electrical Engineering at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), has developed an innovation to advance power grid network protection. This addresses the challenges posed by the evolving electrical industry and the need for precision and reliability in the national power system’s security.

During his doctoral defense, Isa revealed that the increasing demand for electricity and the use of distributed generators have introduced complex challenges. Moreover, the growing electrical load exerts additional pressure on the energy supply system. “Therefore, a more efficient method is required to maintain electrical stability,” he explained.

Based on this focus, Isa’s dissertation, titled “Advancing Protection In Power Grid System Through Extending Stability Limit And Enhancing Protection Devices,” offers solutions to address security schemes in the power grid network system. This is achieved by considering stability and utilizing supporting tools to enhance system stability.

Isa introduces a new method that can determine the system stability limits by considering electrical faults, with or without impedance. The uniqueness of Isa’s proposed method lies in its interpolation technique. “The method can estimate the stability limit values in protecting generators,” added the Surabaya native

Curve representation of relay overcurrent during short circuit which will be analyzed in Isa Hafidz’s research

Electrical fault disturbances, the focal point of this method, are believed to impact generator and electrical system stability. Therefore, he analyzes the fault current at affected locations and graphs it into a curve. The resulting curve serves as the basis for evaluating its effect on the Critical Clearing Time (CCT).

Through his research, Isa has successfully provided more accurate results in improving stability limits in the power grid system. The application of this approach results in more detailed relay settings, significantly enhancing generator protection. “After testing, more accurate and efficient results were obtained compared to previous methods,” claimed Isa.

As a recipient of a scholarship from the Education Fund Management Agency (LPDP), this doctoral graduate admitted that he invested significant time and energy into completing this research. The significant improvement in generator stability, as a result of testing, is seen as a recommendation for the electrical industry itself.

Isa Hafidz (fourth from the left) with his supervisor and team of examiners accompanied after the Doctoral Promotion Open Session at the ITS Electrical Engineering Department

Isa believes there is substantial potential for ongoing innovation in the field of power system stability and protection. He hopes to see further reliability testing of devices and data delivery system enhancements for rural areas. “Considering that many regions in Indonesia often face connectivity and infrastructure challenges,” said the researcher. (ITS Public Relations)

Reporter: Lathifah Sahda