Optimal Measurement Placement in Power Grid Topology

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Solution Overview

Problem

In developing countries, the lack of real-time monitoring systems in distribution power networks leads to topology error processing issues, particularly in open-ring structures, where traditional methods are computationally inefficient and unreliable, making it difficult to identify branch status and locate measurement devices for full system identifiability, which is crucial for safety and operation.

Innovation Solution

A numerical method that detects ring and radial structures using a H2-matrix and strategical ordering, along with incomplete Cholesky factorization, to determine the optimal placement of measurement devices for full system identifiability, reducing computational complexity and enabling real-time monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If graph theoretic methods are used for topology identification, then topology can be identified, but computational efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetopology identification accuracyVSAvoidcomputational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the distribution system into independent rings and radial structures. By detecting ring branches and separating the network topology into distinct components, the method enables independent processing of each segment, significantly reducing computational complexity compared to analyzing the entire system as a single graph structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts ring structures from the overall network by detecting ring branches and isolating them for separate analysis. This extraction allows the method to focus computational resources on specific topological features rather than processing the complete graph, improving efficiency while maintaining identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If measurements are reduced to minimize cost, then device complexity decreases, but system identifiability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement device quantityVSAvoidsystem identifiability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by determining measurement requirements specific to each ring structure and radial structure separately. The method identifies the minimum number of measurements needed for each segment's identifiability, allowing optimized measurement placement that adapts to local topological characteristics rather than applying uniform measurement strategies throughout the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary identifiability analysis to determine the exact minimum number of measurements required before actual measurement device placement. By calculating the branch observability vector and analyzing the augmented matrix in advance, the method identifies optimal measurement locations that guarantee full system identifiability with the minimum possible number of devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If traditional radial structure is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but topology identification reliability deteriorates without measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structure simplicityVSAvoidtopology identification reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces ring branch detection as an intermediary step between the physical network structure and topology identification. By detecting ring branches and using this information to construct the augmented matrix, the method creates a mediator that enables reliable topology identification in both radial and ring structures without requiring extensive measurements, thus maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If meshed operation is allowed in ring structures, then system flexibility increases, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling flexible switching between different operational modes (radial and meshed) within ring structures. The method dynamically adapts its analysis based on the actual operational state detected through ring branch identification, allowing the system to operate in meshed mode when needed while maintaining computational efficiency through the segmented analysis approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4142086A1Method for determining the optimal measurement placement in a power grid
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 SIEMENS SANAYI & TICARET AS
  • EP4142086A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4142086A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4142086A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Computer-implemented method for determining the optimal measurement placement at a power grid, characterized by following steps: a) Providing the system topology (SysT) of the power grid with respective measurement means for flow and/or injection measurements at predefined measurement locations of the power grid, b) Detecting ring branches and radial structures of the branches using the system topology (SysT) and the predefined measurement locations (ML), c) Detect boundary injections (BI), d) Construct a H2-matrix, e) Perform a strategical ordering (SO1, SO2) for ring and radial structures separately and obtain an augmented matrix from the H2-matrix, f) Calculate a branch observability vector by setting vector values for branches, g) Multiply the system topology (SysT) and the branch observability vector, h) Find pseudo measurements for observability (FPM) to make unobservable branches observable as the optimal measurement placement at the power grid.