International Journal of Allied Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET)

AI-DRIVEN FAULT DETECTION AND AUTONOMOUS SELF-HEALING IN SMART GRIDS

Authors

  • Modu Abba Gana Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of Maiduguri
  • Muhammad Musa Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of Maiduguri

Abstract

The modernization of electrical power systems into smart grids has led to significant improvements in efficiency, reliability, and renewable integration. However, smart grids’ increasing complexity and dynamic operation pose critical challenges in fault detection, diagnosis, and restoration. Traditional protection systems often rely on fixed thresholds and manual interventions, resulting in delayed fault handling and prolonged outages. This paper proposes an integrated artificial intelligence (AI) framework that combines deep learning with reinforcement learning-based autonomous self-healing control for real-time fault detection, classification, and localization. The deep learning models exploit time-series sensor data to accurately identify and classify various fault types, while the reinforcement learning agent optimizes switching operations to isolate faults and restore power without human intervention. The framework is validated on IEEE 33-bus and 69-bus test systems, achieving fault detection accuracy above 95% and localization errors below 5% of line length. Compared with traditional methods [1,2], which typically achieve 85%–90% accuracy and require manual fault isolation, the proposed system reduces outage durations by up to 40%, demonstrating substantial improvements in operational efficiency. This research lays the groundwork for scalable AI-driven fault management solutions that are adaptable to evolving smart grids.

Keywords:

smart grid, fault detection, deep learning, reinforcement learning, self-healing, power system automation

Published

2025-08-18

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16894058

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Modu , A. G., & Muhammad , M. (2025). AI-DRIVEN FAULT DETECTION AND AUTONOMOUS SELF-HEALING IN SMART GRIDS. International Journal of Allied Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), 16(8), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16894058

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