Improved State Estimation by optimal placement of measurement devices in Distribution System with DERs

With the increasing penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), a fast and reliable Distribution System State Estimation (DSSE) of a distribution system, with reasonable accuracy, has become vital for all planning and operating studies. However, as a distribution system cannot have measurement devices at all nodes, this estimation must rely on least possible measurements. This paper proposes an algorithm to place the optimum number and location of measurement devices on a radial distribution network. The algorithm is based on backward-forward sweep method for the state estimation and a search algorithm for decision making. The possible uncertainties introduced by the measurement devices and the random changes in the loading conditions are considered to yield a reliable solution to the placement problem. The accuracy of the solution is obtained through a Weighted Least Square (WLS) approach. This approach is demonstrated on a benchmark network.