Branch current state estimator for distribution system based on synchronized measurements

Throughout the last ages, the distribution systems have been undergoing more and more significant changes. These changes have a significant impact on the power system configuration creating new monitoring, management, and reliability issues. In particular, the smart grids, probably the future of the distribution systems, will present important management issues. Such scenario needs a knowledge of the system the more comprehensive and reliable. In this context, the use of Phaser Measurement Units (PMUs) looks promising. PMUs have proven highly useful for different applications concerning the power systems, and now they appear to be interesting also for applications in distribution systems. This paper presents an efficient branch currents estimator for distribution systems (BC-DSSE) based on PMUs measurements. The results obtained on a small (18-bus) distribution network will be presented and discussed.