A multi-criteria optimal phasor measurement unit placement for multiple applications

Wide area monitoring, protection and control (WAMPAC) systems utilize system-wide data to counter local disturbances from propagating into system blackouts. Phasor measurement units (PMUs) are a principal technology enabler of WAMPAC systems; hence a majority of its applications are dependent on PMU measurements. The position maintained by a PMU on a network determines an application´s capacity to use measurements provided by that PMU. Many optimization techniques have been developed with purpose to minimize the number PMUs required to observe a network. These placement strategies are often optimized to benefit a single WAMPAC application. A utility may not adopt such isolated PMU placements, as their benefits to other WAMPAC applications are unclear. This paper presents a multi-criteria integer linear programming problem that accommodates three categories of WAMPAC applications, namely, fault analysis, voltage control and state estimation. A PMU placement phasing strategy is developed which ensures that each placement phase enables a specific application to function. The initial placement phases are oriented to provide observability for WAMPAC applications based on their ranking by industry need.