A review of data-driven and probabilistic algorithms for detection purposes in local power systems

Power grid operators use data to guide their asset management decisions. However, as the complexity of collected data increases with time and amount of sensors, it becomes more difficult to extract relevant information. Therefore, methods that perform detection tasks need to be developed, especially in distribution systems, which are impacted by distributed generation and smart appliances. Until now, methods employed in local power systems for detection purposes using data with low sampling rate, have not been reviewed. This paper provides a literature review focused on anomaly detection, fault location, and load disaggregation. We analyze the methods in terms of their type, data requirements and ways they are implemented. Many belong to the machine learning field. We find that some methods are typically combined with others and perform specific tasks, while other methods are more ubiquitous and often used alone. Continued research is needed to identify how to guide the choice of methods, and to investigate combinations of methods that have not been studied yet.