Estimating the voltage unbalance factor using distribution system state estimation

Unbalance is a damaging and costly phenomenon for both network operators and end users. Network operators are increasingly looking at ways in which they can intelligently monitor their exposure to unbalance and its related problems. This paper presents initial results obtained with a new methodology for estimation of the voltage unbalance factor at any busbar in a distribution network. The proposed methodology utilizes distribution system state estimation to estimate the statistical properties of voltage unbalance factor. Both real and pseudo measurements are used to estimate the voltage unbalance factor and the corresponding error in the estimate. The methodology is validated, at this stage, on a simple generic unevenly loaded power system network using real data from UK distribution networks. It is shown to yield promising results across a series of unbalance simulations.