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

This paper considers the problem of fault detection and localization in active distribution networks using Phasor Measurement Units (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.