On-line performance assessment for improved sensor data aggregation in power system metrology

Abstract

Modern power systems rely on distributed sensor networks for many condition monitoring applications. In this context, phasor measurements are typically acquired at each sensitive network node and then aggregated at local or central level in order to estimate the system state or to take control actions as the opening of a circuit breaker. From the metrological point of view, the existing standards focus on the performance compliance of a single sensor, but they do not assess their actual interoperability. In this paper, we address the problem by proposing the inclusion in the transmitted data packet of simple performance metrics to be computed on-line. The significance and consistence of the proposed metrics are assessed in numerically simulated scenarios, inspired by real-world operating conditions. Finally, we discuss potential implementations for the described metrics as standard amendments, adding new features towards smarter grids.