Optimal Positioning of PMUs for Fault Detection and Localization in Active Distribution Networks

TL;DR

This paper presents an optimization-based approach for strategically placing PMUs in active distribution networks to enhance fault detection and localization accuracy, minimizing the number of sensors needed.

Contribution

It introduces a new criteria based on system observability to optimize PMU placement for effective fault localization in distribution networks.

Findings

Optimized PMU placement improves fault detection accuracy.

The proposed method reduces the number of PMUs required.

Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the placement strategy.

Abstract

This paper considers the problem of fault detection and localization in active distribution networks using PMUs. The proposed algorithm consists in computing a set of weighted least squares state estimates whose results are used to detect, characterize and localize the occurrence of a fault. Moreover, a criteria to minimize the number of PMUs required to correctly perform the proposed algorithm is defined. Such a criteria, based on system observability conditions, allows the design of an optimization problem to set the positions of PMUs along the grid, in order to get the desired fault localization resolution. The performances of the strategy are tested via simulations on a benchmark distribution system.