On the use of PMUs in power system state estimation

peer reviewedSynchronized phasor measurement units (PMUs) are becoming a reality in more and more power systems, mainly at the transmission level. This paper presents, in a tutorial manner, the benefits that existing and future State Estimators (SE) can achieve by incorporating these devices in the monitoring process. After a review of the relevant PMU technological aspects and the associated deployment issues (observability, optimal location, etc.), the alternative SE formulations in the presence of PMUs are revisited. Then, several application environments are separately addressed, regarding the enhancements potentially brought about by the use of PMUs.PEGAS