State-of-the-Art in Synchrophasor Measurement Technology Applications in Distribution Networks and Microgrids

Although synchrophasor measurement technology (SMT) has become a somewhat mature and operational tool used in transmission-level power networks, its use in active distribution networks (ADNs) is still in very early stages. Due to distinct features (such as unbalanced operation, very low phase angle differences, greater harmonics pollution, and lower signal-to-noise ratios in distribution networks), transmission-level devices and applications may not be fully effective at the distribution level. Extensive research and development efforts are in progress to bring distribution-level phasor measurement units (DPMUs) to an operational stage in ADNs. This essential work is made even more urgent by changing ADNs that are widely integrating distributed energy resources and enabling demand-side entities as active network players, in some cases considering authorizing them for peer-to-peer energy trading. This paper focuses on SMT/DPMU applications in ADNs and microgrids. We specifically elaborate on how SMT/DPMUs are enabling 1) effective situational awareness, 2) enhanced protection and fault location functions, 3) novel control algorithms and augmented energy management applications, and 4) long-term baselining and analysis. Various barriers and challenges that come with rapid and broad deployment of SMT/DPMUs and their associated applications are also discussed.