Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays in Ring Distribution Networks Using a Multi-objective Ant Lion Optimization Algorithm

Samady Shadlu, Milad; Moravej, Zahra

doi:10.22075/mseee.2026.40684.1257

Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays in Ring Distribution Networks Using a Multi-objective Ant Lion Optimization Algorithm

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Milad Samady Shadlu

Zahra Moravej

Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.

10.22075/mseee.2026.40684.1257

Abstract

Coordination of directional overcurrent relays (DOCRs) in ring distribution networks is essential for reliable protection and minimizing misoperations. Traditional coordination methods often face challenges due to network complexity and the simultaneous consideration of primary and backup relays, leading to increased operating times and coordination errors. This paper proposes a Multi-Objective Ant Lion Optimization (MOALO) algorithm for the optimal coordination of DOCRs in ring distribution networks. The method aims to simultaneously minimize total operating time, miscoordination index, and backup relay inconsistencies, ensuring both primary and backup protection reliability. Simulation studies on typical IEEE 15-bus and 30-bus ring distribution systems show that MOALO significantly improves relay coordination, reduces total operating time, and enhances system protection robustness compared to state-of-the-art algorithms, including MOPSO and NSGA-II. Specifically, the total operating times of primary relays obtained by the proposed algorithm for the IEEE 15-bus and 30-bus networks are 7.725 s and 7.313 s, respectively, which represent reductions of 6.83% and 5.87% compared with the best results reported in the literature. The results confirm MOALO’s efficiency, fast convergence, and practical applicability for real-world distribution networks.

Keywords

Directional Overcurrent Relay Coordination

Ring Distribution

Multi-Objective Ant Lion Optimization (MOALO) Algorithm

Subjects

Power System

[1] K. Ebenezer Ojo, A. K. Saha, and V. M. Srivastava, “A Critical Review of Advanced Protection Devices in AC Microgrid,” IEEE Access, vol. 13, pp. 203931–203971, Nov. 2025.

[2] M. A. Elsadd, H. A. A. El-Ghany, M. S. Zaky, A. Y. Abdelaziz, and E. S. Ahmed, “Optimum Coordination Approach for Directional Overcurrent Relays in Interconnected Power Systems Considering Uncertainty in Photovoltaic Generation,” IEEE Access, vol. 12, pp. 131681–131700, Sept. 2024.

[3] M. N. Alam, B. Das, and V. Pant, “Protection coordination scheme for directional overcurrent relays considering change in network topology and OLTC tap position,” Elect. Power Syst. Res., vol. 185, p. 106395, Aug. 2020.

[4] E. Gómez-Luna, J. De La Cruz, and J. C. Vasquez, “New Approach for Validation of a Directional Overcurrent Protection Scheme in a Ring Distribution Network with Integration of Distributed Energy Resources Using Digital Twins,” Energies, vol. 17, no. 7, p. 1677, Apr. 2024.

[5] A. Samadi and R. Mohammadi Chabanloo, “Adaptive coordination of overcurrent relays in active distribution networks based on independent change of relays’ setting groups,” Int. J. Electr. Power Energy Syst., vol. 120, p. 106026, Sep. 2020.

[6] M. Usama et al., “A Comprehensive Review on Protection Strategies to Mitigate the Impact of Renewable Energy Sources on Interconnected Distribution Networks,” IEEE Access, vol. 9, pp. 35740–35765, March 2021.

[7] J. Narváez-Franco, A. Herrera-Orozco, and J. Mora-Flórez, “Optimal coordination of directional overcurrent relays in active distribution networks with high penetration of distributed energy resources using a data-driven strategy,” Results Eng., vol. 29, p. 108629, Mar. 2026.

[8] Z. Chen et al., “An Optimized Method for Setting Relay Protection in Distributed PV Distribution Networks Based on an Improved Osprey Algorithm,” Energies, vol. 19, no. 1, p. 24, Dec. 2025.

[9] A. H. Poursaeed, M. Doostizadeh, S. Hossein Beigi Fard, A. H. Baharvand, and F. Namdari, “Optimal coordination of directional overcurrent relays: A fast and precise quadratically constrained quadratic programming solution methodology,” IET Gener. Transm. Distrib., vol. 18, no. 24, pp. 4342–4357, Dec. 2024.

[10] A. Vafadar, M. A. Hejazi, Hamed Hashemi-Dezaki, and Negin Mohagheghi, “Optimal Protection Coordination of Active Distribution Networks Using Smart Selection of Short Circuit Voltage-Based Relay Characteristics,” Energies, vol. 16, no. 14, pp. 5301–5301, Jul. 2023.

[11] S. Sadeghi, A. H. Naghshbandy, P. Moradi, and A. Bagheri, “Optimal adaptive coordination of overcurrent relays in power systems protection using a new hybrid metaheuristic algorithm,” IET Renew. Power Gener., vol. 18, no. 12, pp. 1948–1971, Jul. 2024.

[12] A. Alamshah et al., “Recent Developments of Directional Overcurrent Relay coordination in Ring Distribution Network based on Hybrid Optimization Techniques,” IEEE Access, pp. 1–1, Jan. 2024.

[13] R. C. Matthews, T. R. Patel, A. K. Summers, M. J. Reno, and S. Hossain-McKenzie, “Per-Phase and 3-Phase Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays Using Genetic Algorithm,” Energies, vol. 14, no. 6, p. 1699, Mar. 2021.

[14] M. Rojnić, R. Prenc, D. Topić, and I. Strnad, “A new methodology for optimization of overcurrent protection relays in active distribution networks regarding thermal stress curves,” Int. J. Electr. Power Energy Syst., vol. 152, pp. 109216–109216, May 2023.

[15] S. Saeidi, H. Yaghobi, and Z. Moravej, “Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relay Characteristics Using the PSO Optimization Algorithm,” J. Model. Simul. Electr. Electron. Eng., vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 1-7, Nov. 2023.

[16] F. C. Sampaio, F. L. Tofoli, L. S. Melo, G. C. Barroso, R. F. Sampaio, and R. P. S. Leão, “Adaptive fuzzy directional bat algorithm for the optimal coordination of protection systems based on directional overcurrent relays,” Elect. Power Syst. Res., vol. 211, p. 108619, Oct. 2022.

[17] O. Merabet, M. Bouchahdane, H. Belmadani, A. Kheldoun, and A. Eltom, “Optimal coordination of directional overcurrent relays in complex networks using the Elite marine predators algorithm,” Elect. Power Syst. Res., vol. 221, pp. 109446–109446, May 2023.

[18] D. Acharya and D. K. Das, “An efficient optimizer for optimal overcurrent relay coordination in power distribution system,” Expert Syst. Appl., vol. 199, p. 116858, Aug. 2022.

[19] W. Abdelfattah, A. Nagy, M. M. Salama, M. E. Lotfy, and H. Abdelhadi, “Artificial intelligence based optimal coordination of directional overcurrent relay in distribution systems considering vehicle to grid technology,” Ain Shams Eng. J., vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 102372–102372, Feb. 2024.

[20] A. Draz, M. H. Alqahtani, A. S. Aljumah, A. A. El-Fergany, and A. M. Shaheen, “Digital overcurrent relays coordination in renewable microgrids utilizing several operating characteristics using educational competition optimizer,” Energy Rep., vol. 13, pp. 6251–6266, Jun. 2025.

[21] M. N. Irfan, S.-R. Oh, and S.-B. Rhee, “An Effective Coordination Setting for Directional Overcurrent Relays Using Modified Harris Hawk Optimization,” Electronics, vol. 10, no. 23, pp. 3007–3007, Dec. 2021.

[22] M. Irfan et al., “An Optimized Adaptive Protection Scheme for Numerical and Directional Overcurrent Relay Coordination Using Harris Hawk Optimization,” Energies, vol. 14, no. 18, p. 5603, Sep. 2021.

[23] T. Foqha et al., “Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays Using Hybrid Firefly–Genetic Algorithm,” Energies, vol. 16, no. 14, p. 5328, Jul. 2023.

[24] B. M. Khan, A. Wadood, H. Park, S. Khan, and H. Ali, “Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays Using an Innovative Fractional-Order Derivative War Algorithm,” Fractal Fract., vol. 9, no. 3, p. 169, Mar. 2025.

[25] M. Abdelhamid, S. Kamel, E. M. Ahmed, and E. B. Agyekum, “An Adaptive Protection Scheme Based on a Modified Heap-Based Optimizer for Distance and Directional Overcurrent Relays Coordination in Distribution Systems,” Mathematics, vol. 10, no. 3, p. 419, Jan. 2022.

[26] A. Korashy, S. Kamel, L. Nasrat, and F. Jurado, “Developed multi-objective grey wolf optimizer with fuzzy logic decision-making tool for direction overcurrent relays coordination,” Soft Comput., vol. 24, no. 17, pp. 13305–13317, Feb. 2020.

[27] Z. Moravej, and M. Salari, “Overcurrent Coordination by Eel Swarm Optimization Algorithm,” J. Model. Simul. Electr. Electron. Eng., vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 43-51, Feb. 2024.

[28] S. P. Ramli, H. Mokhlis, W. R. Wong, M. A. Muhammad, and N. N. Mansor, “Optimal coordination of directional overcurrent relay based on combination of Firefly Algorithm and Linear Programming,” Ain Shams Eng. J., vol. 13, no. 6, p. 101777, Nov. 2022.

[29] A. A. Kida, A. E. Labrador Rivas, and L. A. Gallego, “An improved simulated annealing–linear programming hybrid algorithm applied to the optimal coordination of directional overcurrent relays,” Elect. Power Syst. Res., vol. 181, p. 106197, Apr. 2020.

[30] L. F. Serna-Montoya, S. D. Saldarriaga-Zuluaga, J. M. López-Lezama, N. Muñoz-Galeano, and J. G. Villegas, “Integrated Curve and Setting Optimization for DOCRs in Microgrid Environments with a BRKGA-MILP Matheuristic,” Energies, vol. 18, no. 23, p. 6276, Nov. 2025.

[31] B. Xu et al., “An Adaptive Overcurrent Protection Method for Distribution Networks Based on Dynamic Multi-Objective Optimization Algorithm,” Algorithms, vol. 18, no. 8, p. 472, Jul. 2025.

[32] H. Karimkhan-Zand, K. Mazlumi, H. Hashemi-Dezaki, and H. A. Yousefian, “An optimal procedure for protection coordination of directional overcurrent relay: A novel methodology,” Elect. Power Syst. Res., vol. 251, p. 112235, Feb. 2026.

[33] I. Soesanti, and R. Syahputra, “Multiobjective Ant Lion Optimization for Performance Improvement of Modern Distribution Network,” IEEE Access, vol. 10, pp. 12753–12773, Jan. 2022.

[34] Z. Moravej, and O. Soleimani Ooreh, “Coordination of distance and directional overcurrent relays using a new algorithm: grey wolf optimizer,” Turk. J. Electr. Eng. Comput. Sci., vol. 26, no. 6, pp. 3131–3145, Nov. 2018.

[35] H. R. Baghaee, M. Mirsalim, G. B. Gharehpetian, and H. A. Talebi, “MOPSO/FDMT‐based Pareto‐optimal solution for coordination of overcurrent relays in interconnected networks and multi‐DER microgrids,” IET Gener. Transm. Distrib., vol. 12, no. 12, pp. 2871–2886, May 2018.

[36] Z. Moravej, F. Adelnia, and F. Abbasi, “Optimal coordination of directional overcurrent relays using NSGA-II,” Elect. Power Syst. Res., vol. 119, pp. 228–236, Feb. 2015.

[37] A. A. Kalage and N. D. Ghawghawe, “Optimum Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays Using Modified Adaptive Teaching Learning Based Optimization Algorithm,” Intell. Ind. Syst., vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 55–71, Mar. 2016.

[38] A. Bayazidi, A. Abdali, and J. C. Vasquez, “Optimal coordination of directional overcurrent relays in power energy systems with emphasis on the discreteness of variables: Comprehensive comparisons,” Heliyon, vol. 10, no. 19, pp. e37972–e37972, Sep. 2024.