Optimizing decentralized implementation of state estimation in active distribution networks

The challenges facing active distribution networks have highlighted the position of the distribution system state estimation (DSSE) process in the distribution management systems as its most important function. Here, regarding the extensive scale of distribution networks and the weaknesses of centralized methods, the decentralized implementation of the DSSE process has received considerable attention. However, predefined network partitioning is supposed in previous works and zone size effects on the performance of the DSSE process have not been assessed. In response, a method for finding the optimal number of network zones and their size is proposed here. For this purpose, initially, an algorithm is used to partition the network into all possible configurations with different sizes. Subsequently, performance metrics affected by zone sizes, such as execution time, accuracy of the DSSE results, and reliability in achieving the results at the control centre, are modelled. Finally, by applying the decentralized DSSE method across all partitioning scenarios and calculating performance metrics, the most efficient and cost-effective partitioning scenario can be identified. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated using the modified 77-bus UK distribution network as an active test case, and the findings are subsequently presented and analysed.