Optimisation framework for development of cost-effective monitoring of voltage unbalance in distribution networks

This study presents a novel optimisation methodology, optimal placement of monitors (OPMPower), for optimal device/monitor placement in distribution networks. OPMPower is developed based on gradient search and particle swarm optimisation. The proposed method integrates network topology into search process via spanning trees and uses the historical experience for search guidance. The method is particularly suited for optimal placement problems in power systems. The application is illustrated on the problem of optimal monitor placement for estimation of voltage unbalance in a section of existing UK distribution network and in a generic distribution network. It is demonstrated that the proposed methodology outperforms generic integer optimisation algorithms which are widely used for optimal placement problems in the literature, for example genetic algorithms.