Measurement Unit Placement for Pseudo-Measurement-Free Grid Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in power distribution grids is determining an optimal placement of measurement units to accurately estimate the state of the grid while minimizing costs, as extensive deployment is costly and pseudo-measurements introduce uncertainty, especially in non-convex problems with limited historical data.

Innovation Solution

A two-stage method combining Minimum Norm and Weighted Least Square state estimation, which ensures accurate capture of line congestions and voltage profiles without pseudo-measurements, by iteratively optimizing measurement unit placement and deploying them in a way that minimizes the number of units required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If measurement units are extensively deployed in the grid, then the accuracy of state estimation is improved, but the cost of deployment increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate estimation accuracyVSAvoidnumber of measurement units
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of measurement unit placement from random or uniform distribution to optimized placement based on grid topology and state estimation requirements. By solving an optimization problem that determines the optimal set of nodes for measurement unit deployment, the system achieves high estimation accuracy with fewer units. The optimization considers grid parameters such as node connectivity, line impedances, and measurement redundancy to identify the minimal set of strategic locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If pseudo-measurements are used to offset lack of real measurements, then the state estimation can proceed, but uncertainty in estimation accuracy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate estimation feasibilityVSAvoidestimation accuracy uncertainty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes pseudo-measurements from the state estimation process, relying exclusively on real measurements from strategically placed measurement units. By eliminating pseudo-measurements (which are forecasts or projections based on historical data), the system avoids the uncertainty and non-Gaussian nature of such data. The optimization of measurement unit placement ensures sufficient real measurements are obtained to perform accurate state estimation without needing to supplement with unreliable pseudo-measured data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If measurement units are placed to capture voltage phase angle differences, then the accuracy of state estimation is improved, but the cost increases due to the need for high-precision devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage phase angle measurement accuracyVSAvoidcost of measurement devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by placing measurement units at specific locations in the grid where they provide maximum information value for state estimation. Rather than uniformly distributing high-precision devices throughout the grid, the optimization identifies specific nodes where measurements are most critical for determining voltage phase angles and overall grid state. This localized strategic placement reduces the total number of high-cost devices needed while maintaining estimation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4160867B1Method for determining an optimal placement of measurement units for estimating the state of a physical power distribution grid
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 KRAKEN TECHNOLOGIES LTD
  • EP4160867B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4160867B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4160867B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining an optimal placement of measurement units for estimating the state of a physical power distribution grid. The method comprises a step of searching for measurement-unit placements that are compatible with a State Estimation method that is performed in two stages, first, a Minimum Norm formulation, followed by a Weighted Least Square one.