A Sensitivity Based Approach for Efficient PMU Deployment on Smart Grid

Smart grid technology utilizes phasor measurement units (PMUs) as the key devices to provide synchronized measurements on an electrical grid, enabling wide area monitoring and control. Due to the high cost of deploying and maintaining these devices, an efficient placement strategy is essential in enhancing the reliability of a power grid at a relatively low cost. In this paper, we propose a novel PMU deployment method based on the effectiveness of detecting line faults. We have carried out a sensitivity study of a PMU-based fault detection method using three different distance metrics and used the study as a guideline for efficient PMU deployment. To illustrate the effectiveness of this approach, we have derived a number of alternative PMU placement plans for a power grid from a protection perspective. Experimental results show that many of our PMU placement plans greatly reduce the required PMU deployment (up to 80%) as compared to the original placement, yet still provides similar level of accuracy in fault detection.