A MATLAB Graphical user interface for State Estimation in Unbalanced Distribution Networks

Distribution networks are currently subject to important changes, mainly due to the introduction of distributed generation (DG), and the consequent investments directed to guarantee their efficient management. In this context state estimation (SE) represents a key application for monitoring and control and a mean to support infrastructure design, and hence investment decisions. Nevertheless, several considerations must be done in order to adapt this algorithm, originally developed for transmission grids, to the more complex and less instrumented distribution grids. In particular, an estimator for three phase, unbalanced networks is relevant for distribution scenarios with high penetration of small size renewable sources. The assessment of the performance of such estimators, in particular the one developed by the authors, or conversely the design of the measurement infrastructure for target estimation performance, call for new tools. For this purpose, the authors have implemented a graphical user interface (GUI) to allow users, even not familiar with the state estimation process, to choose and test a measurement configuration for a given grid.