Optimal allocation of power quality monitors considering short-duration voltage variations and parallel harmonic resonance conditions in power distribution systems

The proposed allocation methodology of Power Quality Monitors (PQMs) allows optimal monitoring of short -duration voltage variations and potential harmonic resonance conditions by defining strategic nodes in a Power Distribution System (PDS). The allocation methodology combines the Fault Position Method (FPM) and Harmonic Resonance Modal Analysis (HRMA) to obtain a binary covering matrix. The optimization process lately uses this matrix to determine the best installation nodes of the minimum number of PQMs that observe the considered power quality disturbances. From FPM, the remaining nodal voltages are studied for different short-circuits, which cause voltage sags and or swells. HRMA is used to calculate the modal impedances related to the critical modes and identify the respective harmonic frequencies of the PDS. The allocation problem is set as integer linear programming performed using a Branch and Bound algorithm. The proposed methodology was tested for 15 nodes PDS based on a CIGR ' E network and 24 nodes PDS derived from the IEEE 34 nodes test system. Results show that 2 to 4 PQMs are required for the 15 nodes PDS and 2 to 9 PQMs for the 34 nodes PDS to thoroughly observe the considered power quality disturbances.