Fisher Information-Based Meter Placement in Distribution Grids via the D-Optimal Experimental Design

Transition to smart distribution grids is highly dependent upon their reliable real-time monitoring. Optimally allocated measurement devices are the backbone of advanced metering systems for concrete observability and accurate state estimation (SE). This paper proposes a new approach for optimized meter placement in distribution grids by minimizing errors in estimated state vector. The placement problem is formulated on the principles of Fisher information formalism and exploits the D-optimality criterion in the context of convex optimization theory. A Boolean-convex model is developed for minimizing an objective function expressing a measure of the SE quality, subject to linear equality constraints. The proposed algorithm is characterized by flexibility and low complexity. Thorough simulations, using a 136-bus distribution network, are carried out to verify the performance of the proposed approach.