Method and system for locating the source of events in power distribution systems using distribution-level pmu data

A non-transitory computer readable medium (CRM) storing computer program code executed by a computer processor for identifying an event in a power distribution network, comprising:

• receiving voltage and current flowing downstream and upstream of the distribution feeder from at least two distribution-level phasor measurement units (PMUs) installed on a distribution feeder in the power distribution network;
• calculating changes in forward nodal voltages along the distribution feeder using measurements from at least one PMU of the at least two distribution-level PMUs;
• calculating changes in backward nodal voltages along the distribution feeder using the measurements from another PMU of the at least two distribution-level PMUs;
• comparing the calculated changes in the forward nodal voltages to the calculated changes in the backward nodal voltages;
• and
• determining the location of the event based on the comparison of the calculated changes of the forward nodal voltages to the calculated changes backward nodal voltages.

A system for identifying a location of an event in a power distribution network, the system comprising:

• at least two distribution-level phasor measurement units (PMUs) installed in the power distribution network on a distribution feeder;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• receive voltage and current flowing downstream and upstream of the distribution feeder from the at least two distribution-level phasor measurement units (PMUs);
• calculate changes in forward nodal voltages along the distribution feeder using measurements from at least one PMU of the at least two distribution-level PMUs;
• calculate changes in backward nodal voltages along the distribution feeder using the measurements from another PMU of the at least two distribution-level PMUs;
• compare the calculated changes in the forward nodal voltages to the calculated changes in the backward nodal voltages;
• and
• determine the location of the event based on the comparison of the calculated changes of the forward nodal voltages to the calculated changes backward nodal voltages.