Identification of smart meter connection phases in low-voltage distribution network

The purpose of the paper is to control and improve the efficiency and reliability of low-voltage distribution networks as these are the most important tasks of the modern energy sector, since such networks account for a significant share of losses and costs in electric energy transmission. Distribution networks should be modeled as three-phase networks, while information about power consumption, losses, and flow distribution should be determined independently for each phase. In this case, in addition to the information about the parameters of the feeder replacement scheme, the data on active and reactive loads represented as nodal capacities or currents, as well as knowledge of phase distribution of these loads are required. The necessary information on low-voltage feeder loads, which is proposed to be the basis for solving the problem of phase identification can be obtained from the smart meters installed in a low-voltage network. Measurement data of the smart meters are recorded in the reports of the automated information and measurement system for commercial electricity metering. Knowledge of the load connection phase is necessary for further analysis of network topology, branch parameters, calculation of flow distribution, power losses, and, if there are enough measurements and they are synchronized - for evaluating the state of distribution networks. This paper solves the problem of phase identification for one of the feeders of the Irkutsk region low-voltage distribution network using the measurements of instantaneous and average values of voltage modules, which are obtained from the smart meters and registered in the protocols of the automated information and measurement system of commercial electricity metering. The identification results of single- and three-phase meter connection phases are obtained based on the estimation of mutual correlation of voltages in the power supply node with the known phases, and in the network load nodes for a certain period of time. The load connection phase is determined by the maximum positive values of the cross-correlation coefficients for a number of measurement samples. Coincidence of the phase identification results for all measurement samples confirms the validity of the obtained solution and proves the effectiveness of the used correlation analysis.

advanced metering infrastructure, low-voltage distribution network, automated information and measuring system of commercial electricity metering, smart meter, phase identification, correlation analysis