Design and Analysis of an Incremental Meter Placement Algorithm for Distribution Grids

Distribution grids are typically poorly instrumented grids with only few measurement devices deployed in the field. The increasing need for their control and automation calls for a strengthening of the measurement infrastructure to ensure the accurate monitoring of the grid conditions. This paper presents a novel approach for the incremental placement of measurement devices in distribution systems with the goal to improve the accuracy of the state estimation results. The proposed method-ology relies upon an algorithm derived from the knowledge of how measurement uncertainties propagate and eventually turn into uncertainties of the state estimation results. Differently from other proposals, the proposed meter placement algorithm does not involve any complex optimization process and allows determining the next meter to install through a relatively fast and straightforward procedure. Such algorithm could therefore serve as a basis for the development of complex meter placement strategies or for the analysis of multiple scenarios. Performed simulations show the performance of the proposed solution on an example test-grid and highlight its effectiveness in reducing and flattening the profile of voltage estimation uncertainties.