Optimal placement of PMU for enhancing power system monitoring

Abstract

Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) have emerged as crucial tools in the field of power system monitoring, control, and safety. Extensive research has been conducted on enhancing the capabilities of PMUs. Traditional SCADA techniques, which have been employed for many years, gather data on power system parameters at intervals of 4 to 10 seconds, offering a static perspective of the system's behavior. However, relying solely on static data may limit the effectiveness of the monitoring and control. On the other hand, PMUs provide real-time information about the dynamic state of the system, enabling more comprehensive insights. For the optimal and cost-effective installation of PMUs, it is vital to strategically position them in locations that effectively monitor the state of the system. The Instruction Level Parallelism (ILP) approach was employed to identify the ideal PMU placement for power system observability. The ILP approach determines the most suitable positions for PMUs by considering factors such as the redundancy of measurements and cost efficiency. To validate the effectiveness of the ILP approach, it was tested using the widely recognized IEEE 14 bus system, which serves as a standard benchmark for power-system analysis. Through the ILP approach, the optimal placement of the PMUs can be determined, thereby enhancing the observability of the power system. This in turn improves situational awareness, enables effective fault detection, and facilitates coordinated control strategies. By integrating PMUs and the ILP approach, the power system monitoring and control can be significantly enhanced. Ongoing research and development in PMU technology and placement methodologies continues to advance the field, enabling more efficient and effective management of modern power grids.